NAGA CITY ? Actor Gerald Anderson said the accident involving co-actor Coco Martin on the set of ?Tayong Dalawa? has taught him a valuable lesson.

?I realized that it could happen to me, too. It was traumatic for Coco and it was also distressing for me. It could have been me or Jake (Cuenca, another ?Tayong Dalawa? co-star) sprawled on the floor,? Gerald told Inquirer Entertainment.

Coco suffered an eye injury and facial burns when a blasting cap ? used in movies to simulate gunshots ? exploded prematurely while he was shooting a scene for the defunct top-rating series. Coco was brought to the UST Hospital where fragments of the blasting cap and pieces from his ripped jacket were removed from his left eye.

?Kinabahan kami [We got worried],? recalled Gerald. ?I saw Coco writhing in pain. At first, we weren?t sure if he?s OK. We saw a lot of blood. I helped carry him and brought him to the hospital. He?s OK now. It was good that the wounds weren?t too deep.?

?Tiagong Akyat?

Gerald is currently seen in ?Agimat: Mga Alamat ni Ramon Revilla,? where he?s required to do a number of action scenes while portraying the role the legendary outlaw Tiagong Akyat.

?I didn?t train for what I?m doing in the series,? said Gerald. ?I just rehearse with a fight instructor on the set. I?ve been a fan of action films since I was young. It helped that I like watching Jackie Chan films.?

Gerald added that he would do another movie with on-screen partner Kim Chiu, with ?Ikaw Na Nga? as working title. Their last movie pairing was the hit romantic flick ?I?ve Fallen For You? in 2007.

A movie with Sarah Geronimo is reportedly in the works, too. ?I?m open to making films with other actresses,? Gerald pointed out. ?I?ve heard that Kimerald (Kim-Gerald) fans are opposed to this. I understand them, but I know this will help me grow as an actor.?

Gerald was part of ABS-CBN?s Peñafrancia Kapamilya Karavan held here. Some 10,000 Bicolanos turned up at Plaza Quezon on Elias Angeles Street for the chance to meet him, as well as actors Matt Evans and Melissa Ricks, according to Channel 2 area manager Amy Villafuerte.

The event started around 4 p.m. Comedian Dennis Padilla hosted the pre-program activities with Glenda Reynolds and Suzain Aguilar of the local variety show ?Mag-TV na, Oragon!?

Gerald, dressed in a black T-shirt and faux leather jacket, joined an apple-eating contest.

E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph