A 'dark' Niña Jose in TV5's Valiente

CEBU, Philippines - TV vixen Niña Jose takes on the part originally played by veteran drama actress Glenda Garcia in the upcoming TV5 remake of Valiente, one of the country’s most successful and longest-running afternoon soaps that first aired twenty years ago. The sultry actress portrays Leona Braganza, daughter to Jaclyn Jose’s scheming alter ego and sister of Oyo Sotto and Nadine Samonte’s characters.

"She’s very twisted. She’s obsessed and very much in love with Valiente, played by JC de Vera. She has a very dark character, but of course, there will be a saving grace for her," Niña described her newest role during a TV5 pocket press conference at the Casino Español in Cebu City with other Kapatid stars.

She was not able to watch the original Valiente series, which spanned five years on two major networks and had Michael de Mesa playing the titular role. However, Niña said the production did an excellent job of giving them a background of the classic story, set against the backdrop of a Philippine hacienda. Multi-awarded director Joel Lamangan helms this 2012 version.

Niña joins a stellar cast of former real-life couples: Gina Alajar and the come-backing Michael de Mesa, and Jaclyn and Mark Gil.

The former Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Season 1 teen housemate feels happy that while she’s made to showcase serious acting chops in Valiente, she can also display her wacky side in the M-ZET Productions sitcom aired also at TV5, The Jose and Wally Show Starring Vic Sotto. "I feel very blessed, as this show serves as my breather," said Niña. Here, she plays a dumb production assistant to Vic Sotto, whom coincidentally, had been linked to her recently.

Twenty three-year-old Niña shot to fame in ABS-CBN, but although she has been visible in TV5 for a good amount of time now, Niña maintains a freelancer status and is not an exclusive Kapatid talent.

Dragged down by mom?

While everything is smooth sailing for her personally, Niña has had to contend with unpleasant rumors pertaining to her mother. Blind items have often alluded to her mom, who accompanies her most of the time to showbiz engagements, for being demanding and arrogant. The mother allegedly once berated an ABS-CBN guard for not letting her enter the studio premises and was quoted to have yelled, "Don’t you know who I am?"

"Oh yes I’m aware of that, and I laugh about it. It’s very, very funny because I know my mom and the people close to her know how she really is. She may come off too strict and pakialamera, but she really is not. She just really loves me and people misinterpret that."

She added, "I will defend my mom and my family until the end, because nothing of that sort really happened. I love my mom so much. The issues make her sad. But she knows it’s not true. So I tell her, why get affected?"

Gorgeous and taken

Asked what it took to achieve her enviable figure, the two-time FHM cover girl who has caught the eye of many a matinee idol reveals the secret is discipline and a good disposition. "I eat the right kind of food; I exercise and drink lots of water. I don’t smoke and drink. Aside from a healthy lifestyle, I also have a very positive outlook in life."

Before her male admirers get any ideas, the actress is already taken. Niña shared she just went steady with a non-showbiz guy last December 31st and is very happy so far. What usually seals the deal for her with suitors is "when he is himself, God-fearing, and gets along with my family. My family is my priority in life, so he should be able to get along with them."