Enrique Gil and Kathryn Bernardo. Images: Hannah Mallorca/INQUIRER.net, Instagram/@bernardokath

Twelve years after working with Kathryn Bernardo in “Princess and I,” Enrique Gil is not closing his doors on reuniting with the actress, although he clarified that they don’t have a reunion project currently in the works.

In an interview with reporters on the sidelines of the 2024 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Gabi ng Parangal, Gil said he is open to reuniting with Bernardo while clarifying that he doesn’t have an upcoming project with the actress.

“I’m not sure about that. I haven’t heard about that,” Gil said when asked about the rumors of reuniting with Bernardo. “But I’m always open to anything, of course.”

Gil is the lead star of the MMFF 2024 entry “Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital,” which contains footage shot by himself and co-stars Jane De Leon, Alexa Miro, Rob Gomez and MJ Lastimosa.

Aside from the footage horror film, the actor was also the lead of the sexy comedy “I Am Not Big Bird,” which premiered on Valentine’s Day this year. According to Gil, this is “just the beginning” of him expanding his filmography not only as an actor but also as a producer through his production outfit, Immerse Entertainment.

“This is just the beginning. I was able to produce ‘I Am Not Big Bird’ which is a comedy. I always wanted to do comedy, slapstick comedy,” he said. “And then now, I was able to produce a meta-style of horror. I still want to produce a traditional style of horror in the future. I have a concept as well for an action horror.”

Departure from love teams?

But does this mean Gil is saying goodbye to love teams for good? While he said that restarting his entertainment career as a solo actor and producer is “part of actor,” he clarified that he’s not closing his doors to it for good.

“I’m not saying goodbye. I’m not closing my doors. In the meantime, because I’ve been doing it all my life. There’s a time and place for everything,” he said. “This time, I really want to focus on different genres I’ve never done before. Para when I get old, masasabi ko na (I can say) at least, I was able to do everything.”

As the actor is set to welcome the New Year, he shared that he’s “just having fun” with his career, as it involves him “playing around with different concepts.”

“For now, I’m just enjoying, and playing around with different concepts and characters. I’m just having fun,” he said. “I’m looking forward to more concepts, more comedies, and of course, I want to do some dramas in the future.”

“Strange Frequencies: Taiwan Killer Hospital” stars Jane de Leon, Enrique Gil, Raf Pineda, MJ Lastimosa, Ryan “Zarckaroo” Azurin and Rob Gomez during the Parade of Stars. Image: Arnel Tacson/INQUIRER.net.                                                                                                                                      Gil, however, admitted that he wants to improve on his concept-building skills when it comes to the drama genre. He also hinted that he has a new show with ABS-CBN that he co-produced himself.

“Hindi kasi ako magaling mag-isip ng drama. But I have concepts in mind already since I have a team naman. Ang hilig ko kasi sa comedy and horror eh (I am fond of comedies and horror). Some action, of course, in the future,” he said.

“Actually I have one show coming up with ABS-CBN, it’s a co-production. It’s my concept. Ako ‘yung nag-pitch sa ABS-CBN and super natuwa ako na talagang nagustuhan ni Tita Cory [Vidanes] (I was the one who pitched this to ABS-CBN and I’m so happy that Tita Cory liked it), and greenlit the project… I’m super excited. We’ll be shooting in Europe next year but more details to follow,” he continued.

Based on the 2018 horror film “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum,” the MMFF entry won Best Sound. It also received seven other nominations including Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, and Best Actress for De Leon.