MANILA, Philippines – The cast of the movie Tandem recently spoke about their co-star JM de Guzman, who made headlines for various issues in 2015. 

In a press conference for the movie Tuesday, February 2, Nico Antonio, Rochelle Pangilinan, and director King Palisoc said they did not notice any problem with JM while doing the movie.

“Noong nabalitaan ko nga po yung experience niya sa teleserye, sobra talaga akong nagulat. Kasi malayung-malayo yung experience namin habang ginagawa ‘yung pelikula.

“Sobrang noong tinanong niyo po kung kinailangan kong mag-adjust, ako, never kong na-feel na kailangan kong mag-adjust sa kanya or nag-tantrums siya,” King said. There were rumors that JM had issues on the set of the soap All of Me. 

“In fact, pansin ko nga, parang sobra siyang conscious tuwing nagsu-shoot kami, minsan siya pa magre-request ng safety. 

(Actually when I found out about it, the experience in the teleserye, I was surprised because it was a different experience while we were doing the movie. In fact, you were asking if I had to adjust, I never felt I needed to do so, or if he had tantrums.  In fact, I noticed he was very conscious while we were shoointg the scenes, sometimes he would be the one to request for safety measures. )

“But in terms of behavior, personality nung shoot, sobrang-sobra okay siya (during the shoot, he was super okay),” he said. 

King also said that prior to doing the movie, he also spoke with directors Dan Villegas and Antoinette Jadaone, who worked on That Thing Called Tadhana, where JM was paired with Angelica Panganiban. He said that he received nothing but positve feedback from them.

Nico, who plays JM’s brother in the movie, said that the actor was okay when they were filming.

“Okay naman po si JM…okay si JM ka-eksena. Wala po siyang problema. Yung sa All of Me nagulat nga ako talaga, kami. Kahit si Rochelle nagulat rin na bakit nagkakaganoon si JM yung mga bulong-bulong  sa set daw, kanila direk Dondon (Santos). Kasi sa Tandem, wala kami problema.”

(JM is okay. JM is okay when we do scenes together. He has no problems. With regard to All of Me, I was really surprised. All of us even Rochelle was surprised why JM was like that, there were whispers on the set, with direk Dondon. Because in Tandem, we didn’t have any problems.)

According to Nico, he and JM would even talked about his personal life during the movie, including his times with ex-girlfriend Jessy Mendiola.

Rochelle meanwhile shared: ” Actually nagulat ako. Ngayon ko lang rin talaga nalaman…hindi ko talaga alam. Actually nanghihinayang ako, nakakalungkot kung ganun talaga nangyari at alam ko naman, ipagdadasal ko rin na makabangon at makabalik siya.”

(Actually I was really surprised. I only found about it now…I really did not know what happened. Actually, it’s very said if its true what happened, and I will pray that he will be able to make a comeback.)

After the press conference, Nico told reporters that he was very sad JM was not around to promote the movie. 

“I always say na nakakapanghinayang (it’s sad, it’s a shame). Kasi nga (Because) he’s supposed to be the one talking here in front of the camera. As the saying goes, ganun talaga ang buhay (that’s life).” 

JM, who admitted in an Instagram post last November that he was struggling with personal issues, made headlines in September when he challenged Enrique Gil to a fight following the latter’s behavior in a plane incident that involved Jessy. Enrique has since apologized. 

Jessy confirmed the news that she and JM were no longer together on November 5. The two dated for 2 years before getting back together April 2015. 

JM was replaced by Albert Martinez in the show’s storyline. Quantum Films also announced that he was no longer the leading man of Jennylyn Mercado in the movie Walang Forever. Jericho Rosales took the role.

JM issued an apology on Instagram, telling fans not to blame Jessy and the All of Me staff for his behavior. 

In 2014, JM admitted that he went to rehab for a drug problem. – Rappler.com