Gerald Anderson. Screengrab from "A Family Affair" — Gerald Anderson. Screengrab from “A Family Affair”

Actor Gerald Anderson revealed that his “A Family Affair” co-star Sam Milby was his inspiration when he got into showbiz.

In 2006, Anderson joined the “Pinoy Big Brother” Teen Edition where he placed third while Milby was a PBB housemate a year before, 2005.

“Wala akong masyadong kaalaman sa showbiz kasi kagagaling ko lang sa United States,” Anderson said in the finale mediacon for “A Family Affair” on Thursday, October 26.

He then recalled his childhood friend who was with him during the huddle telling him to join the popular TV reality competition.

“Sabi niya, ‘Bro, puwede kang pumasok sa PBB.’ ‘Ano ‘yung PBB?’ ‘Pinoy Big Brother.’ Nasa bilyaran kami. ‘May kamukha ka doon, Fil-Am din siya.’ Tapos itinuro niya sa akin (si Sam). Tinuro niya sa akin ang TV. ‘Siya yan, siya yan,’” Anderson recalled. (He said, ‘Bro, you can join PBB.’ ‘What’s PBB?’ ‘Pinoy Big Brother.’ We were in a billiard. ‘You have a look-a-like there, he’s also a Fil-Am.’ Then he pointed at Sam on the TV. ‘That’s him, that’s him.’”)

That’s where the curiosity for show business started for Anderson.

“Doon nag-start ‘yung ‘ano kaya… Kasi, nag-i-English din siya, hindi marunong mag-Tagalog. So, siya ‘yung naging inspiration ko, no joke,” he said. (That’s where it started. It’s because he also speaks English, he doesn’t know how to speak in Tagalog. So, he became my inspiration.)

Reacting to Anderson’s revelation, Milby quipped, “Na-touch naman ako.” (I was touched).

“A Family Affair” is now on its last two weeks. It stars Ivana Alawi, Jake Ejercito and Jameson Blake. EDV