After almost six years away from the spotlight, Kapamilya actress Jessy Mendiola is officially returning to television with the upcoming crime-thriller series Sins of the Father.
During the recent media conference and preview event, Jessy admitted feeling nervous and overwhelmed at first, especially after being on hiatus for so long.
“(Feeling ko) baguhan. Almost 6 years kasi ako nagpahinga tapos hindi ko akalain na babalik pa ako. Actually, ngayon naninibago pa ako,” Jessy admitted.
Despite feeling nervous, Jessy expressed deep gratitude to the directors, production team, and co-stars who helped ease her return to acting.
“Kaya nga I’m very grateful kina direk kasi inaalagaan nila ako sa set, the production and staff and even my co-actors kasi alam nilang first soap (ko) for a very long time.,” she expressed. "Inalagaan nila ako sa mga eksena, they were very accommodating sa mga concerns ko, questions ko, so, kaya I’m very grateful, I’m nervous and excited in what in store for me sa pagbabalik ko.”
Jessy also reunited with some familiar faces in the series, including Kapamilya star Gerald Anderson and veteran actor Tirso Cruz III, whom she worked with on the 2011 series Budoy.
“Grabe ang tanda na natin (Gerald)! Hindi pero talagang natutuwa ako kasi nung last ko siyang nakatrabaho ang babata pa talaga namin (sa Budoy),” Jessy recalled. “2011 sobrang tagal na and ang daming na nangyari sa mga buhay namin!”
Jessy was thrilled to work again with Gerald, whom she described as one of the kindest actors she has ever worked with.
“Sobrang tagal na and I’m just really happy to be working with Ge. Si Ge maalagang co-actor yan. Sinasabi ko lagi ‘to sa mga nakakasama ko. Si Gerald ang isa sa mga pinakamabait na lalaking artist na nakilala ko talaga. He’s really kind and generous siya pagdating sa craft niya, pagdating sa pag-aalaga sa set,” she said.
“I’m really happy! I’m really happy makatrabaho si Gerald, such a gentleman,” she added.
Jessy also shared her experience working with other powerhouse actors in the show, including John Arcilla and RK Bagatsing.
“Yung eksena ko kay Tito John parang nobela yung lines ko parang kinabahan talaga ako. Pero as always, si Tito John, sobrang bait talaga atsaka naging panatag noong nag-eksena na kami sabi ko, ‘Ah okay. Sobrang bait pala talaga at galing ni Tito John,” she said.
Jessy added, “Si RK sobrang galing din na actor and I told him nga (that). Grabe, siya yung isang actor na talagang alam mong marami pang magagawang roles na magaganda. Alam mong napakagenerous din niya sa craft niya and sobrang natural niyang umarte talaga. Bilib ako (sa kaniya).”
Jessy emphasized how every actor in the cast contributes meaningfully to the series' overall impact.
“I’m just really grateful and natutuwa ako. Kumbaga tama yung sinabi ni Gerald (kanina na) ang nagpapaganda talaga ng show na ‘to ay ang bawat tao na nasa show (din) na ‘to. Walang lalabis, walang kukulang. Lahat pantay-pantay yung energy na binibigay,” she said.
In Sins of the Father, Jessy plays Agnes Policarpio, the mysterious wife of RK Bagatsing’s character. Although further details about her character have yet to unfold in the series, Jessy’s role seems to be one of the key figures in the suspenseful storyline.
In a previous interview, Gerald praised Jessy’s dedication, noting how inspiring it was to see her give her all despite already having a family of her own.
“Ang sipag din niya dito. Unang-una, may pamilya na siya. May asawa na siya, may anak na siya. There’s so many reasons for her not to be there, not to do this, but she was there giving 110%. So it inspires me even more,” he explained.
Sins of The Father is set to premiere on June 23, Monday, at 9:30 p.m. on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live (KOL), A2Z, TV5, iWant, and TFC.