Showbiz Chika

After celebrating their one-year anniversary last February 8, Jason Francisco said he and girlfriend Melai Cantiveros are excited about their newest show, Precious Hearts Romance Presents Mana Po which premieres February 21 on ABS-CBN’s Hapontastic line-up.

Jason, who is also part of the cast of Banana Split, admitted that he was nervous when they started taping the series. Jason and Melai had to undergo an intensive three-day acting workshop with the directors of the show in order to prepare themselves for their roles. “Nung unang araw ng taping talaga, hindi ko alam kung anong gagawin ko kasi ibang-iba yung role ko dito, hindi lang puro pangungulit kasi may drama din tapos sobrang malayo sa totoong ako. Ayun, hanggang sa ngayon na nasanay ako. Alam ko na yung role ko. Kaya ‘pag papunta sa set parang wala na lang,” he said during the Mana Po presscon held last February 17 at the ABS-CBN compound.

Jason said that he hopes that Melason fans will appreciate their efforts and support the show. “Hindi naman na ako kinakabahan kung magugustuhan ng fans o hindi. Marunong naman ako tumanggap sa kung ano ang magiging kalabasan ng mga pangyayari. Sa totoo lang ang nararamdaman ko ay masaya ako kasi mag-e-air na kami so yung pressure medyo nawala na kasi ang dami na rin naming na-taping.

During the press interview, the 23-year-old from Mindoro admitted that he wishes Melai would not be so open when it comes to matters regarding their relationship. There were speculations that the two were already living together when Melai admitted that they sleep over at each other’s houses from time to time. “Sinabi ko na huwag na dapat siya magsalita tungkol dun. Kasi isa yun na ikinagagalit ko sa kanya. Kasi minsan pag nagsalita siya, parang wala lang. Lasi kung ano yung feelings niya, sasabihin niya eh, wala siya talagang tinatago eh. Sabi ko dapat matuto ka na rin na minsan, hindi mo puwede sabihin yan kasi parang dapat medyo formal na kasi hindi na tayo mga bata eh. Kaya dapat medyo may privacy sa sarili, hindi lahat sinasabi. Yung ganun,” he stressed.

Now that they’re one year into their relationship, Jason said that he constantly reminds Melai to show more restraint when giving interviews. “Oo sinusunod naman niya ako ‘pag minsan. Kasi mga ilang araw lang, balik na ulit yan. Kaya wala na akong magawa dun. Kaya minsan nagkakatampuhan na dahil ‘pag sobra na yung nasasabi,” he said.

But the Banana Split comedian said since he is older, he knows that he still has to help guide his girlfriend when it comes to making decisions regarding her career. “Parang kasing tatay ako ‘pag minsan nagsasabi sa kanya, ako ang adviser niya pagka may mga bagay siya na hindi na maganda. Ayan, gaya minsan sabi ko huwag siya na ma-le-late sa trabaho. Pangit yun. Mga ganun, ganun. Nagagalit siya rin sa akin minsan dahil diyan pero nakikinig naman siya,” he said.

Catch Jason and Melai in Precious Hearts Romance Presents Mana Po beginning Monday, February 21 after Agimat: Ang Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla Sr presents Kapitan Inggo on ABS-CBN.

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