Article posted May 09, 2008
Rating:
GMA Network risked yet again for their new Sinenovela, Magdusa Ka. With a first-time team-up and a change in roles, everyone’s been asking if the show will hit it off. We got our answer from its stars, Dennis Trillo and Katrina Halili. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. With an interview by Loretta G. Ramirez. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio.
Katrina Halili as Christine
Katrina Halili is finally doing her first protagonist role on TV after a string of kontrabida characters.
We asked her if she already talked to Ms. Dina Bonnevie, who was the original Christine—her character for Magdusa Ka. “Siguro po mas maganda kung hindi naman po sobrang gaya-gaya; gusto ko pa rin ng ibang character,” she explains, saying that she hasn’t had the chance to talk to the Divine Ms. D yet. “Pangit naman kung sobrang [carbon] copy noong character. Gusto ko as ‘ako’ pa rin, like yung Angelika na ginampanan ko [sa MariMar]—[I’ll put my own twist].”
But Katrina did her homework by watching the movie. “Sobrang nag-enjoy ako doon sa movie. Maganda siyang paglaruan.”
How did she prepare for the role?
“Actually hindi naman ganoon talaga yung preparation kasi ever since, mahilig na ako sa drama,” she answers. “Siguro yung magiging challenge lang for me is paniwalain ko yung mga tao na nakakaawa ako. Pero hindi naman sobrang paawa dito si Ms Dina e—strong din siya at palaban.”
What does she have to say about her critics who openly say that she’s not ready to be a bida?
With conviction, she says, “Hindi ko pipilitin yung mga tao na nagsasabi na hindi ko kaya, kasi hindi bagay sa akin. Gagawin ko na lang lahat ng kaya ko, para ma-prove sa kanila na kaya ko.”
She imparts her sentiment on switching from antagonist to protagonist: “Ever since naman ayoko na mag-lola na kontrabida role [pa rin], pero hindi ako nagko-close ng doors. Syempre kahit sabihin natin na artista ako at ginagampanan ko lang ang mga roles, naapektuhan nang sobra ang pagkatao ko. As in naapektuhan talaga! Alam ko na maganda na napapaniwala ko sila pero syempre gusto ko pa rin pakita na mayroon din akong kayang iba.”
Dennis comments on Kat’s growth as an actress: “Malaking improvement dahil siguro nakatulong din talaga yung mga magagandang projects na nagawa niya since nag-start siya sa StarStruck, lalo na sa pagkasikat nang sobra ng MariMar. I think yung popularity niya, through that naka-gain siya ng confidence na mas naging helpful para maka-build up doon sa craft niya.”
Dennis Trillo as Rod
Dennis plays Christopher de Leon’s original role in the movie, Rob. “Hindi malayo sa original na portrayal ni Christopher de Leon [kung saan] jeepney driver siya,” Dennis explains. “Ang nadagdag lang siguro ngayon, mabarkada siya tapos mayroon siyang half brother played by Gabby Eigenmann.”
He adds, “Pero ang tingin ko mas barumbado siya dito nang konti. Nandoon pa rin katulad sa original na movie na si Christopher de Leon medyo asal-kanto. Pero mayroon siyang goal sa buhay niya. Kung baga driven siya para magtrabaho and kahit na medyo brusko kumilos, pag sa mga babae, romantiko siya.”
Does he have what it takes to be the romantic “barumbado?”
“Oo!” Dennis exclaims enthusiastically. “Actually, mas gusto ko ito ngayon kasi hindi ka masyadong conscious sa itsura mo—mas madumi, mas okay.” He points to his outfit for the show’s pictorial as an example. “Tipong naka-sando lang, pantalon na punit-punit, may tuwalyang nakasabit. Scruffy.”
Is he going to follow any peg for his portrayal?
“Para dito, wala pa. Pero pinanood ko yung pelikula bago pumunta ng Europe [for GMA Films’ I.T.A.L.Y. (I Trust and Love You] para hindi ako ligaw sa kwento,” he explains.
Together again
We asked Dennis how it’s like to be working with two hot FHM cover girls—Katrina and Iwa Moto, who will play Millette, originally portrayed by Pinky Amador.
“Tama lang na nagkasama kami dati [sa ibang shows]—at least, sa mga eksenang medyo sensual e hindi na kami nangangapa-ngapa,” he says. “Syempre, mga FHM cover girls yan, obviously mayroon silang mga eksenang talagang sexy yung mga outfits nila.”
Is it true that there will be “sensual” scenes, as Dennis mentioned?
Kat confirms it: “Actually dito sa Magdusa Ka, yung role ko dito hindi pa rin nawawala yung sexy. Sa bar ako nagtatrabaho, waitress ako, pero darating yung time na magkakasakit ata yung nanay ko, [kaya gagawan ko ng paraan]. Basta panoorin na lang nila! Pero syempre hindi ganoon ka-sexy kasi TV ito!”
If they’re comfy enough to do intimate scenes together and are willing to take on fresh challenges in their new roles, iGMA is pretty sure that Dennis and Kat have what it takes to make this new mix click.
See it for yourself starting May 12, 2008, right after Daisy Siete: Prince Charming and the Seven Maids!
Related features:
A night of controversies
Katrina Halili leaves sexy contravida roles to Iwa Moto
Primetime soap Magdusa Ka boasts all-star cast
Text DENNIS or KATRINA to 4627 to Feel the Fun with Fanatxt! (Each SMS costs P2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, TM, and TALK N TEXT; P2.00 for SUN subscribers. This service is exclusively available in the Philippines.)
Talk about Magdusa Ka in its iGMA Forum thread!
