THE parents of breakthrough actor Gold Aceron must be pleased to realize their unique choice of name for their son is proving to fit the man he has become.

Only 24 years old, Aceron already has a slew of awards to his name, thanks to the patience and passion with which he has pursued his decadelong career.

Starring in a string of indies, he won Best Young Actor for the movie “Lando at Bugoy” at the Urduja Film Festival (2017); Best Actor for “Metamorphosis” at the Cinema One Originals Film Festival (2019); and the Paragon Critics Choice Awards at the Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (2020).

Sharing that his father got the name Gold from the Spandau Ballet hit of the same title, Aceron told The Manila Times Entertainment via digital interview that it is only his second name.

“Jerould Gold Aceron po ang buong pangalan ko. Pero may isang direktor na nagsabi sa akin na wala daw dating yung

Jerould Aceron na screen name. Mas mapapansin daw ako kung Gold ang gamitin ko. Mukhang tama naman siya di’ba?” pandered the playful but very outspoken guy.

Without hesitation, Gold tells anyone who asks him why he wanted to be an actor, “Kasi gusto kong yumaman.”

Given his recent works — the wildly daring Boy Love digital series “Love at the End of the World” last year and the ongoing Vivamax streamer “Scorpio Nights 3” that allegedly leaves nothing to the imagination — it appears the man is clear about his goal and will take on any role that will literally help him — well — get the gold.

Apparently, fame isn’t as important to this actor as fortune. According to Gold, he would like to carry on malling and going out without attracting much attention. And yet given the latest development in his career, he may not be able to gain the big bucks without the other.

After all, actorsinger Kean Cipriano wouldn’t have it any other way, especially since Gold is officially the first actor to sign under his music and management label, O/C Records.

Thankful to have finally have industry savants determine his next steps in his getrich goal, Gold first recalled how this partnership happened.

“Nung gitna ng pandemic, may kumontak sa akin para sa isang music video. Ito ‘yung music video na ‘Ligaya.’ Napanood po ako ni Kuya Kean doon at nagthank you siya sa akin sa pagsali ko sa project. Tapos n’un, tinanong po niya ako, ‘Gold, may manager ka na ba?’ Sabi ko freelance model ako, so wala. And the rest is history.”

A selfconfessed fan of Cipriano’s erstwhile pop rock band Callalily, the newest O/C Records talent, said it was easy to say yes to the bossman’s offer. But even better than the right to claim Kean Cipriano is his manager, Gold was impressed with the immediate impact of the move on his career. In just a matter of months, he is witness to how the partnership has already seen gold.

“Four months na po since I signed with Kuya Kean’s group, and nakakadalawang pelikula na po ako,” Gold related. “Nung freelance ako, waiting ako lagi kung may mabibigay nga ba na project sa akin. Kapag may nagbigay na, ako pa din yung makikipagusap, ako din magrerate, ako lahat.

“Pero kapag may manager pala, ang sarap sa feeling na kahit paano, wala akong masyadong iniisip — ‘yung work lang, ‘yung shooting, ‘yung script na ibibigay sa akin kung maganda. Naaalagaan talaga ako ngayong

kasi na sa O/C.”

With more movies already lined up for Gold by Cipriano and company, the actor assured his Kuya Kean and the rest of his family at home and with O/C Records that he would give every job his absolute best.

And indeed, the intensely daring roles he has portrayed for the digital platform were never a walk in the park. Asked how he musters the confidence to star these very sexual projects, Gold candidly replied, “Hinuhugot ko sya para mas maintindihan ng tao. Yung pinapakita ko rito, reality talaga na nangyayari sa mga tao. Nilalaban ko ang role ko kapag alam mo na may bagong matututunan ang mga tao rito. Nageexplore talaga ako.

Ginagawa ko siya kasi gusto kong mabigyan ng kulay yung buhay na bawat character na ginagampanan ko.”

With that intention fueling him in his journey toward wealth that he is determined to work hard for, there can be no question left. Jerould Gold Arcenas does deserve his precious name.