Jeff Moses on real score with Jillian Ward: “What you see is what you get”
Sparkle artist Jeff Moses admits that he did not expect that he would instantly jive with his co-star in “Abot-Kamay Na Pangarap,” Jillian Ward.
Jillian, dubbed Sparkle’s “Star of the New Gen,” is the lead star of the popular afternoon drama series. Jeff is one of Jillian’s leading men with Ken Chan and Raheel Bhyria.
In an interview with FreebieMNL after the Signed for Stardom event on May 16, Jeff recalls how he just used to admire Jillian whenever he sees her on screen.
He says, “Hindi ko in-expect kasi unang-una sa lahat, noong audition pa lang, nasa-starstruck ako na, ‘Hala, napapanood ko [lang] sa TV si Jill.’ And then, nahihiya ako, hindi ko alam sasabihin ko.
“Sabi ko, ‘Sige, mag-au-audition lang ako, sasabihin ko yung lines ko. I’m just gonna say hi muna,’ ganyan kasi kinakabahan din ako. Kaharap mo, kaeksena mo yung malaking artista na established na yung name.”
But from being shy in front of her, they immediately shared the same vibe when they started doing “Abot-Kamay Na Pangarap” in 2022.
“Sobrang nag-click agad kami. ‘Hala, parang kakilala ko na siya dati pa,’ ganung vibe kasi nagkakaintindihan kami sa maraming bagay. Kumbaga sabi nga rin ni Jill, kambal ko siya sa buhay, yung mga pangyayari niya in real life, nangyayari rin sa akin.
“Like, kumbaga, three times siya nagkape today, ganun din ako. Mga coincidental lang na mga bagay. So, nakakatuwa kasi kahit sa mga simpleng bagay, kaya namin i-share sa isa’t isa.”
Now, Jeff can say that he and Jillian have truly built a genuine connection with each other.
“I can say na na-build namin yung ganung connection na super close to the point na may trust na kami sa isa’t isa and then naka-bonding ko rin yung family niya, nakilala niya rin yung family ko.
“So, parang nakakatuwa kasi outside work, may ganung connection kami. Hindi ko ine-expect. Sobrang thankful ako na sobrang genuine niya and gusto ko rin gawin as someone na katrabaho niya, but gusto ko rin na ipakita sa kanya na andito si Jeff Moses para sa kanya.”
Their close relationship is evident in the TikTok videos that they do that people can’t help but wonder: what’s the real score between the two of them?
He says about this, “Opo, close talaga kami. Ganun po talaga kami ka-close ni Jill. Sobrang laki po ng respeto ko sa kanya.
“Parang wala naman kaming tinatago, what you see is what you get. Kung ano nakikita niyo sa TikTok namin, ganun po kami ka-close, ganun kami sa isa’t isa.”
READ ALSO: Jillian Ward: Reaching For The Stars
Doing “Abot-Kamay Na Pangarap” and career milestones
Meanwhile, Jeff has been doing “Abot-Kamay Na Pangarap” for almost two years now.
It was his first teleserye after being launched as part of Sparkle’s Sparkada in 2022. While his contemporaries have already jumped into different projects, Jeff seemed to be doing the same role as Reagan since he was launched.
Does he feel that the show’s long and continuous run has limited him from exploring other projects?
Jeff answers, “Well, ako talaga, hindi sa nagsawa ako or what but nandoon din yung gutom na gusto kong ma-experience yung ibang roles.
“But at the same time, sobrang na-curious din ako ano pa ang pwedeng gawin ni Reagan? Gaano kalalim si Reagan? Ano pa yung kaya niyang mai-offer? Challenge din yun sa akin as an actor na kung paano ko bitbitin as Reagan and maipakita pa sa aming supporters, viewers na si Reagan ay hindi lang ganun.
“Excited ako na mag-work pa, mag-learn pa ng to-do sa craft ko kasi gusto ko rin mapasaya yung mga viewers natin, mga Kapuso nating solid supporters. Gusto ko makita yung mga ngiti nila kapag nakikita si Reagan.”
But compared to when he started “Abot-Kamay Na Pangarap,” Jeff now has a Best Actor award under his belt after winning the trophy at a local film festival for the film “Under The Piaya Moon.”
While there is pressure that comes with the award because of people’s expectations, Jeff is just grateful to be awarded with the trophy.
“Para sa akin, may halong pressure din talaga siya kasi ang tagal din siya nag-sink in sa akin. Yes, nakuha ko sa first film ko yung title na ganun as a Best Actor, so excited ako.
“At the same time, may halong pressure at kaba kasi siyempre, may expectations na yung tao kasi iisipin nila, ‘Magaling ba kaya ito?’ So, natsa-challenge ako and gusto ko yun kasi yun yung isa sa mga pinanghahawakan ko sa buhay na gusto ko ma-challenge every day.
“Gusto kong ma-push ko yung sarili ko sa limits ko, and then, para ma-explore ko pa yung iba-ibang sectors ng showbiz, hindi lang sa [shows] kung hindi yung pakikisama ko rin sa ibang tao.
“Thankul din ako na it’s a blessing, pinagpe-pray ko po talaga and nag-work hard din naman ako, siyempre. Gusto kong may mapatunayan pa, ayokong mag-overpromise but gagawin ko po yung best ko. Yun lang po masasabi ko, ayoko po magyabang or what, gusto ko lang po mag-work and ibigay po [yung best ko].”
With his new contract with Sparkle, Jeff is thankful to his management for helping him grow in his career.
He says about his management, “Sobrang thankful ako kasi hindi ko naman inaasahan lahat. Well, I expected na tutulungan talaga ako ng Sparkle to improve and to discover more sa self ko, and ma-discover pa yung ibang ano ng showbiz like sa hosting, sa soap, sa movies, sa mga guestings.
“I learned a lot and hindi ko lang in-expect na magkakaroon ako ng ganung projects and I’m super thankful and chine-cherish ko yung moment every day, lagi ako nagpapasalamat sa Panginoon, sa management, sa mga taong katrabaho ko.
“Siyempre, minsan, napapagod ako and yun yung hugot ko, wala ako ngayon kung hindi ko ito trinabaho at iniisip ko yung mga taong tumulong sa akin. So, nakaka-inspire, ang sarap mapagod knowing na you are doing your best and then may mga taong nasa likod para i-cheer ka.”
Banner Art Paulo Correa
