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"Sins of the Father" Actor Gerald Anderson on the Cover of Metro

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Nineteen years down the road, and Gerald Anderson still carries the glint of a new dreamer. Though now seasoned by the grit of life, the bumps of heartbreak, and the humbling lessons of fame’s relentless spotlight. As he steps into his comeback project, Sins of the Father, a high-octane, socially resonant teleserye about family, crime, and the far-reaching ripples of scamming, Gerald is not just suiting up for another lead role. He is digging deeper than ever before—no longer content to be just the face on the poster, but determined to have his fingerprints on the entire creative process.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751641849883METRO GERALD ANDRESON SOLO.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>Gerald Anderson, as photographed by Dix Perez</div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Back as an anti-hero and rising above the noise</div>Before the show turned into the fiery, high-stakes thriller it is today, it was originally pitched to Gerald as a cop-themed drama with the working title Nobody. But something about the project sparked a creative brainstorm among the team, leading to a major rebirth. It was then recalibrated to tap into the hopes and anxieties of the Filipino audience. “It was super layo, pero sobrang ganda nu’ng the Sins of the Father. Sobrang happy ako nu’ng pinitch sa&#x27;kin ‘yung bagong revamped na story. It made more sense. Alam ko maraming makaka-relate and mas malakas ‘yung family storyline. May love, crime, suspense, drama, thriller, and action. So, lahat ng elements nandu’n na,” explained the actor. What drew Gerald to the material, beyond its storyline, was its social relevance. As he unpacked the show’s thematic backbone, the actor’s enthusiasm crackled like a live wire, talking about capturing the zeitgeist of a population battered by scams. From catfishing to text phishing to investment schemes, the stories are practically everywhere.“Mas malalim &#x27;yung kwento. Mas relevant ngayon sa mga nangyayari sa bansa natin and all over the world. Especially dito sa [atin], ang daming scammers talaga. Advanced na ‘yung scammers ngayon,” Gerald said, believing the series could offer a kind of public service by spotting red flags before individuals fall victims as well. In a culture that worships spotless heroes, the 34-year-old star relishes breathing life into the rough-edged protagonist Samuel Trinidad, who is a far cry from the formulaic good-guy leads. In the suspense-driven action drama, Gerald takes on the role of a banker weighed down by the sins of his father—a notorious scammer whose debts and wrongdoings eventually come to haunt him.  <div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751503920393batch_Gerald and Jessy_0036.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751504082993batch_Gerald and Jessy_0092.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>On Gerald: Gray turtleneck pullover, coat, and trousers by Franz Javier</div>It is this moral grayness that excites the Kapamilya actor because finally, he can play someone who feels unapologetically authentic. “Hindi siya perpektong tao. Hindi siya galing sa perpektong pamilya. He&#x27;s a very flawed person. So, ‘yun ‘yung maganda. Totoong tao siya. Maybe ‘yung proseso niya para makatulong sa mga na-scam or protektahan ‘yung pamilya niya [ay] not always the right decision para sa iba,” stressed Gerald. “[Usually] ‘pag bida kasi, parang perpektong character. Wala namang ganu’n sa totoong buhay e. So, I&#x27;m very happy na ganu’n ’yung character ko,” he added.Playing Samuel demanded a crash course learning of the lingo behind the mechanics of modern financial scams. Crypto wallets, seed phrases, online banking security—these were not topics usually on an actor’s script. He confessed, “May mga terminology doon na first time ko sasabihin or hindi ko naiintindihan. May technicalities na kailangan ko pag-aralan before shooting. Parang crash course, even sa pagiging banker.”In fact, it stands out as one of the most eye-opening productions Gerald has ever done, with life lessons that translate beyond the screen: “Ang dami ko natutunan, which is magaling. Itong show na ‘to ay isa sa pinakamarami rin akong natutuhan na magagamit ko in real life.”For an actor who grew up in the golden age of primetime television, Gerald is self-aware about the changing landscape. There are now alternatives to traditional TV, and the constant swirl of social media platforms means audiences’ attention spans are in tatters. “Lahat ng tao, nasa cell phone, nasa social media, nasa YouTube, nasa digital na talaga ngayon e... Maraming distractions,” he observed.That awareness only fuels Gerald’s drive to do better, to do more, stating: “That also adds to the challenge kapag may teleserye ka, katulad ng Sins of the Father. So, you have to give even better performance and attention to detail kasi marami tayong kalaban in the sense of social media, you know, influencers. Mabilis ma-distract ‘yung mga tao ngayon.”It is a tall order, but Gerald is no stranger to uphill battles. The same tenacity that helped him survive ABS-CBN’s franchise woes now powers him through 27-sequence shooting days for Sins of the Father.“Like tomorrow, patayan na naman kami. I have like 27 sequences, kasama ako halos lahat. Pero okay lang kasi nai-enjoy ko ‘yung ginagawa ko. And we know that we have a good product and a good show,” he divulged.“Bawal sa amin ‘yung pwede na yan. Bawal talaga,” he stated firmly. It’s an ethic he tries to pass on: “Even me, I bring that culture na galingan natin,”—even if that means scolding his makeup artist every now and then. “Kaya minsan ‘yung makeup artist ko, pinapagalitan ko. Kasi parang laging p&#x27;wede na ‘yan. Hindi! Walang ganu&#x27;n,” Gerald laughed it off, and his makeup artist giggled at their inside joke, too. “Hindi p&#x27;wede because meron kaming bigger picture at bigger purpose for the show,” he emphasized. Asked what it’s like on the set of his new show, the Kapamilya heartthrob revealed, “Ganda ng energy from the directors to the cast to the crew. Ang ganda ng energy ng lahat. We love what we are doing. Ngayon, enjoy kami kahit mahirap.”His routine on set is powered by coffee, unstoppable drive, and the fiery energy of the people around him. “I feed off ‘yung energy kay FMR [FM Reyes], ‘yung director namin. Kahit pagod na siya, he&#x27;s still passionate,” Gerald admitted.<div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751504590487batch_Gerald and Jessy_0062.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751504778571batch_Gerald and Jessy_0098.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div><div> </div><div>Breaking the limits and being hands-on behind the scenes</div>Gerald’s passion for Sins of the Father goes far beyond memorizing scripts or hitting action marks. For the first time in his 19-year career, he has stepped boldly into the creative process, working hand in hand with the production team of JRB Creative Production. “Super happy ako because they’re very collaborative,” expressed the actor.Evident, though, immediately after his exclusive interview with Metro.Style, Gerald was heading straight to a meeting to suggest story tweaks and adjustments. For him, the days of showing up, performing, and going home are over. He’s at the headspace of an artist determined to be involved at every level—from concept to execution, from cast discussions to narrative arcs.“Moving forward, [gusto ko] na maging part na talaga ako sa production and creative team. As in, I want to do projects na, you know, I want to tell stories na hindi pa naikukuwento. So, I really want to be part of the team.” Next year will mark his 20th anniversary in the industry, and Gerald is already hatching big plans. “I have exciting pitches na ipi-pitch ko na sa [ABS-CBN] for next year,” he shared with palpable excitement.<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751504812692batch_Gerald and Jessy_0169.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751504836191batch_Gerald and Jessy_0279.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/>On Gerald: Navy blue checkered vest and trouser set by Franz Javier</div><div> </div>Having a rock-solid alliance with the network, the actor-model struts with confidence that they’ve got his back, saying, “It’s something na alam ko na maraming tao din ang makaka-relate.” He further asserted, “It has patriotism. May social awareness, may relevancy. And I&#x27;m excited [dahil] malapit sa puso ko.”And while he stops short of calling himself a future director, Gerald makes no secret about his intentions of landing a significant place behind the scenes. “Nineteen years [na] ako sa harap ng camera. I also wanna be part of what happens behind the camera. Not as a director but, you know, as a producer. And [something sa] creative vision—vision of the show or the project,” he noted.His outlook of going the extra mile is not confined to the borderline of showbiz. As an entrepreneur, Gerald has built businesses—a gym, a resort, and other ventures—carving out spaces where he can thrive outside the limelight and apply the same grit. “You build a dream team,” he shared, pondering on the impossibility of doing everything alone. “No man is an island.”After 19 years in the spotlight, Gerald’s perspective on life has shifted. If fame used to be the be-all and end-all, these years have seen a sure bold pivot—one that speaks volumes about how much he has matured. “Ibang situation din ako sa buhay ko ngayon. Paglabas ko ng pinto, everything I do, dapat may purpose,” he reflected. “I try to treasure more the moments with my family, friends, and ‘yung loved ones ko.”<div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751504949656batch_Gerald and Jessy_0289.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div style="text-align:center"> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751504931899batch_Gerald and Jessy_0243.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div>Looking back, Gerald admitted he wished he had developed this frame of mind sooner. “Sana [ganito na ‘yung] mindset ko ten years ago, ‘di ba? But everything happens for a reason,” he uttered.“Through ups and downs, marami ka rin [matutuhan], but you learn more through failures. So, a failure is not really a failure kapag may nauwi kang aral,” he added.Talk about his rest days? It’s almost as if it&#x27;s a myth. Even his occasional “unwinding” still doubles as business meetings. “We go to the resort. Silipin lang din &#x27;yung business. Actually, business meetings are kinda re-energizing also for me kasi it&#x27;s something outside of show business,” disclosed Gerald. If he does rest, it might happen at the end of the year, a small reward after months of relentless grind. “Maybe at the end of the year. But I&#x27;m in work mode. I&#x27;m in building mode. So, okay lang. Hindi ko naman din hinahanap, you know? If I could just have, like, maybe sometimes a rest day here and there, okay na ‘yun,” he casually said. <div> </div><div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1751505129445batch_Gerald and Jessy_0284.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/></div><div> </div>Directed by FM Reyes and starring alongside both emerging and seasoned names—Jessy Mendiola, Shaina Magdayao, JC De Vera, RK Bagatsing, Francine Diaz, Seth Fedelin, Soliman Cruz, Nico Antonio, Jerald Napoles, LA Santos, Joko Diaz, Lotlot de Leon, and Tirso Cruz III—the moral knots that Sins of the Father tries to untangle mirror the confusion of a society riddled with modern scams, blurred ethics, and fractured families. As his most-awaited comeback teleserye finally hits screens, expect a new side of Gerald Anderson: “As an actor, I hope na makita nila ‘yung growth, energy, intensity, and passion [ko] to bring this character alive and to make this story as real as possible.”<div> </div>Photographer: Dix PerezSittings editors: Grace Libero-Cruz and Kate Paras-SantiagoCreative director: Chookie CruzFashion associate: Carla BuyoStylist: Ivor Jullian Makeup and hair: Dexter GonzalgoInterviewer: Grace Libero-CruzVideographer: Pat Buenaobra, assisted by Gimo BesingaShoot coordinator: Iya BaringSpecial thanks to Star Magic, PJ Calingo, Julie Anne R. Benitez, and JRB Creative Production

After 19 years in the spotlight, Gerald’s perspective on life has shifted. If fame used to be the be-all and end-all, these years have seen a sure bold pivot—one that speaks volumes about how much he has matured.

After 19 years in the spotlight, Gerald’s perspective on life has shifted. If fame used to be the be-all and end-all, these years have seen a sure bold pivot—one that speaks volumes about how much he has matured.

Gerald Anderson Takes a Leap in 'Sins of the Father' and Dares a Creative Turn in His Craft

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Gerald Anderson Takes a Leap in 'Sins of the Father' and Dares a Creative Turn in His Craft

Leigh Sofia Lazo

Published Jul 05, 2025 12:00 PM PHT

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