Seasoned actresses Janice de Belen and Lorna Tolentino shared some of their most fun and memorable moments with their co-stars, especially the younger artists, while working on the Kapamilya series Roja.
During the show’s finale media conference, Janice described her experience working with the new generation of actors on set as a joyful one.
“With everybody else, siyempre you know, I’ve worked with most of them, I think I’ve worked with all of them and it was a joy having to work with them again,” Janice said.
The actress admitted that she initially thought she might not “fit in” with her co-stars since most of them were younger. However, months of locked-in taping gave them time to get to know one another and eventually form a strong bond.
“It was fun because I got to know all of them and like I said, I was happy that for the first time in a show, memorized ko lahat ng pangalan nila and it means something to me. Hindi naman ako friendly na tao but apparently, friends na kaming lahat. More than friends na nga kami minsan eh. So it was really fun and exciting for me,” Janice said.
Janice went on to describe their bond as “OA” and “solid,” recalling how the cast would play games and spend time together even during breaks.
“When you’re locked in sa shoot, we were almost a couple of months in the island, sa La Playa Roja, araw-araw kaming nagkikita. Minsan makikita mo sila kapag nag-to-toothbrush, yung talagang every day you see them. Every after work, we have this small gathering, we either talk all night, kwento, kahit may maagang taping the next day,” Janice recalled.
She went on, “It was such a joy because it strengthened our bonds. Isipin mo buong tribe kami, every Sunday, may volleyball. Every rest day, may volleyball. May kung ano-anong nagaganap. So it strengthened the bond and I learned to play a few games.”
As the show nears its finale, Janice admitted that she became emotional saying goodbye to everyone.
“It was really a joy working with this group. That’s why ako yung pinaka-iyakin dito kase every time na nararamdaman ko yung, 'this is getting real, the end is getting real,' umiiyak na ako,” she said.
READ: 'Roja' cast looks back on shoots and shared bonds as filming wraps
Meanwhile, Lorna said she formed a special bond with one of the show’s lead stars, Donny Pangilinan. Playing the role of Greta, Donny’s character’s mother in the series, allowed her to witness his growth as an actor throughout the production.
“With Donny, first time naming magkasama, so nakita ko yung development. Alam niya yung role niya. Noong umpisa kasi parang light lang then later on, nong malaman niya na ako pala yung mastermind, yun yung pinakamabigat na eksena and it took us two days para gawin yung eksena na yun, yung drama scene namin and makikita mo talaga na yung intensity ng development niya din as a performer, as an actor,” Lorna said.
According to the veteran actress, Donny’s growth throughout the series was evident, saying, “Makikita mo talagang ang laki ng tinaas and I’m so happy na nakasama ko si Donny, na ito na yung kanyang first pinaka-first action lead and all sa isang teleserye. So proud na naging nanay niya ako (rito).”
Lorna also shared that working alongside fellow veteran actors continues to help her grow in her craft even after years in the industry.
“With the veterans, siyempre naman, may laging bago. May lagi kang matutunan kasi nga veterans na. Kami noong nagkasama kami ni Joel (Torre), mga bata pa kami pero siyempre ang laki na ng development dahil siguro din sa experience na natutunan namin. Isang malaking bagay kase yun na tagaturo (sa amin),” she said.
Catch the finale week of Roja weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, and ALLTV, as well as via Kapamilya Online Live and iWant. The series is also available for streaming on Netflix.