Playing the role of a lover boy named Tupe in Star Cinema’s latest film Love At First Stream, Anthony Jennings said him getting one of the lead roles along with fellow Rise Artists Studio actors Daniela Stranner, Kaori Oinuma, and Jeremiah Lisbo was not just a lucky break.

“Unang una, hindi naman ito biglaan lang na nakuha. Marami din kaming rejections siyempre. So para makuha namin itong pelikulang ito, sobrang malaking bagay ito sa amin. Ang dami kong ma-i-inspire na tao, ang dami kong matutulungan pati na rin yung sa sarili ko. I think mas makikilala ko kung sino pa ako at yung kaya kong gawin. Sobrang saya lang din na makasama ko yung mga kaibigan at makatrabaho ko ulit si direk Cathy. Sobrang blessed and honored. Sobrang importante sa akin ito,” he said.

READ: Anthony Jennings on working on ‘Love at First Stream’ with director Cathy Garcia-Molina: ‘Sobrang suwerte namin’

From his role, Anthony said that he learned a thing or two about life and love. “Siguro yung pagiging committed masyado ni Tupe. Sobrang committed kasi siya sa lahat ng bagay like nag-mu-multitask. Eh ako kasi yung klase ng tao na pag gusto ko mag-focus sa work, sa work lang talaga ako focused, Pero si Tupe kasi nasasabay niya yung relationship niya, family niya, and at the same time ang dami niyang work na ginagawa. Wala, nakaka-inspire yung ganun. Sana nabitbit ko din,” he shared.

READ: Meet the two new love teams in ‘Love at First Stream’

Having worked with director Cathy Garcia-Molina in projects like Make It With You and Hello, Love, Goodbye, Anthony said he continues to learn a lot from the veteran director.

“Naka-work ko na si direk before so matagal ko ng love si direk. Siyempre nung una, although kinabahan ako, hindi naman yung kaba na tipong si direk Cathy nakakatakot yan. Kasi before inaalalayan na ako talaga ni direk. Although nakita ko ng maging monster si direk sa Hello, Love, Goodbye sa airport. Gigil siya sa mga tao (laughs). So nakita ko naman kung paano niya alagaan, iba siya sa mga alam niyang baby pa dun sa alam niyang kaya na ‘to. Feeling ko lagi pa rin naman first time kasi siyempre iba iba naman yung mga nakakasama namin so parang bago pa rin pero at the same time andun pa rin naman yun mga turo ni direk sa amin,” he admitted.

With his film part of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival official entries, Anthony aid he is excited to be part of the festivities ahead which include the fluvial parade. “Merong pressure pa din sa una pero nung na-build na namin yung trust namin sa isa’t isa, parang dun na nag-gain na kaya namin ito. Sobrang thankful kami, sobrang honored kami na nakasama kami dito. Manalo man, matalo, masaya kami na naging parte kami ng kuwentong ito. Yun yung lagi naming sinasabi sa isa’t isa,” he recalled.

Counting one of his most memorable moments on the set of their lock-in bubble was his moments with comedian Hyubs Azarcon who plays his father in Love At First Stream. “Isa sa pinaka memorable talaga si kuya Hyubs sa akin. Hindi ko puwede sabihin yung mga jokes niya dito pero kung alam niyo lang kung gaano kami naiihi pagka nagpapatawa na si Hyubs. ibang klase talaga. Siya ang tatay ko dito so abangan niyo,” he added.

Aside from acting, Anthony said he has also started to enjoy live streaming on Kumu. The 18-year-old actor said having a good audience and the right equipment gave him more confidence to do it.

“Siyempre yung mga taong nanunuod sa ‘yo pero bukod dun, idagdag mo na rin siguro yung set up pagka meron kang mic, kumpleto ka, may mga effects ka. So nasasabayang mo yung vibe ng live mo. Kasi nata-try ko din mag-live ng wala siya. Okay rin naman pero iba pa rin yung may sounds ka, may mga effects ka na mapipindot. So mahalaga rin na pampataas ng confidence mo yungs setup mo. Pero parehas kasi kami ni Igi Boy (Flores) na mahilig sa gaming although puwede ko rin i-shoot na lang yung sarili ko na naglalaro tapos nag-u-upload din. Puwede rin siyang ganun. Pero ngayon sobrang uso na ng mga streaming talaga eh, Tapos mas madali ka lang kumita, ganun. So siguro gusto ko rin i-try and nag-i-istream na din naman ako so mas mapapadali naman if streaming yung i-ko-continue ko,” he explained.

Featuring an original soundtrack from P-pop supergroup SB19 titled “No Stopping You,” the Star Cinema and Kumu co-production Love At First Stream will premiere on December 25, Saturday along with other MMFF entries this year. Starring Daniela Stranner, Kaori Oinuma, Anthony Jennings, Jeremiah Lisbo, Agot Isidro, Pinky Amador. Directed by Cathy Garcia-Molina.