Alden Richards, Torn Between Louise delos Reyes and Lauren Young

When Alden Richards and Louise delos Reyes first set their feet onto the ‘hallowed’ grounds of primetime television via “One True Love,” they were both excited and anxious. They were excited because it was their first time to star in a primetime series and anxious because they knew that much was expected of them by the management and the audience.

Luckily for the young stars, the series – which was extended several times before it finally wrapped up in October last year — was such a huge hit and a certified top-rater.

Less than a year later, Alden and Louise reunite in an upcoming primetime drama series entitled, “Mundo Mo’y Akin.”

“I’m very excited kasi medyo matagal din kami ni Louise na nabakante after ‘One True Love (OTL).’ September kami natapos sa OTL so six months din kaming walang series kaya exciting,” said Alden in an interview during the photo shoot for the series.

Alden has all the reasons in the world to be excited. After all, in this new series, he will be torn between two beautiful leading ladies, Louise delos Reyes and new kapuso star Lauren Young.

“This is Lauren’s first soap dito sa GMA and it’s going to be my first time to work with her so I’m looking forward sa kung ano ang mangyayari sa aming love triangle dito ni Louise,” Alden said.

Alden admitted that when he learned that Lauren was being considered for the role, he wished that she’d make it.

“Sabi ko talaga nung screen test na sana si Lauren yung makapasok sa show kasi I want to work alongside her. I think she’s a great actress and she’s very beautiful,” confessed the teen actor.

Alden, however, dismissed rumors alleging that it was he who had the final say as to who will become his other leading lady besides Louise.

“Hindi naman ako ang pumili, sinabi ko lang na sana siya ang makapasok. Wala naman akong power na pumili ng cast,” he clarified.

During the story conference of “Mundo Mo’y Akin,” Alden and Lauren seemed to be closer than many had expected, which was intriguing since the two had never worked together in a TV show or movie.

“Kasi si Elmo common friend namin ni Lauren tapos nagkikita kami sa mga events and parties outside of GMA. I’ve known Lauren kahit nung wala pa siya dito sa GMA kaya wala nang awkwardness,” explained Alden.

The actor is nonetheless glad that people around them immediately sensed that they have an “instant chemistry” on and off-screen.

“Of course I am happy kasi it’s rare for chemistry between two actors to easily snap on TV. Sometimes yung chemistry hindi kaagad naa-achieve katulad nung sa amin ni Louise sa ‘One True Love.’ I mean si Louise kasi naka-trabaho ko na siya before and I know her very well now. This soap gives me the chance to get to know someone else,” he said.

Alden and Louise’s love team, “DenLou,” gained a boost in following hugely due to the popularity of “One True Love.” Now that Lauren is part of the picture, is Alden worried that the “DenLou” fans might not approve of the love triangle?

“Wala naman pong ganun. Very understanding naman po ang mga Louise-Alden fans; they’re very open to new things naman. Para sa akin kasi mas mag-go-grow kaming lahat ‘pag every now and then ay may pinapasok na bago, may pinapartner na bagong partner para may something new, hindi yung paulit-ulit, parang ibang flavour naman. Andun pa rin yung love team namin ni Louise pero may bagong treatment,” he said.

Louise was not present during the story conference of the series and Alden was quick to explain that the new love triangle has nothing to do with his leading lady’s absence.

“Si Louise po ay may shoot ng indie film kaya hindi siya nakapunta sa story conference,” he said.

Asked to compare his relationship with Louise with that with Lauren, Alden said that he couldn’t yet tell the difference since he is yet to work with Lauren.

“Hindi ko pa po masasabi kasi first time ko pa lang makakatrabaho si Lauren. Before ‘pag nag-mi-meet kami outside pero puro ‘Hi/Hello’ lang. Si Louise naman since I started in showbiz talagang siya na [ang ka-love team ko] kaya kilalang-kilala ko na talaga siya, pero si Lauren hindi pa masyado. Let’s see,” he said.

Alden claims to be single and although he is not sure whether he shares the same relationship status as Lauren’s, he vows to be professional in his dealings with her.

“Kagaya nga po ng sinasabi namin ni Lauren mag-ta-trabaho lang po kami at hindi ihahalo ang personal na buhay sa aming trabaho,” he said.

Catch Alden Richards, Louise delos Reyes and Lauren Young with Sunshine Dizon, Angelika dela Cruz, Gabby Eigenmann, Jolina Magdangal and Jaclyn Jose in “Mundo Mo’y Akin,” beginning March 18 on GMA Telebabad.

Directed by Andoy Ranay, the series will replace “Pahiram ng Sandali.”