LJ Reyes widens her acting horizon

CEBU, Philippines - Having not received flowers or a box of gourmet chocolates last February 14 doesn’t make Valentine’s Day less special for Kapuso actress LJ Reyes. What she experienced, as she described in her Instagram account, was a perfect day—thanks to her friends’ company and to her son’s sweet little surprise.

During a recent talk, LJ opened up about the current status of her heart. “Yes, everything is falling into place, I think. Lahat kasi ng bagay, pinagdarasal ‘yan. When you pray nga raw kailangan very specific. So sabi ko kay Lord, bigyan niya ako sa right time,” she said.

“Masaya naman ako,” shared LJ. And she was radiantly happy in the sense of contentment with her career, “maraming blessings si God,” she added. From being StarStruck 2’s First Princess to playing various roles on TV, LJ has also started to embrace independent films and stage plays.

Get to know more about LJ as she talks about her contract renewal with GMA Artist Center, her role on the afternoon prime series “Yagit,” her sentiments on the show’s extension, and what she loves about acting.

How does it feel that after all these years, you’re still with GMA Network?

From the start, GMA baby talaga ako. Ang sarap kasi pakiramdam ko parang pamilya ko na ‘yung mga tao dito. Sa pag-renew ko ng contract, feeling ko dito na talaga ako tatanda. ‘Yung signing, para siyang celebration of a new chapter sa career ko at sa relationship ko with the network.

Congratulations on the success of your soap ‘Yagit.’ You’re very effective in portraying your role as Jocelyn and Tomtom’s stepmom.

Thank you so much. Hindi ko naman ‘yun magagawa kung hindi dahil sa tulong ni Direk Gina (Alajar). Siya ‘yung tumulong sa akin na buuin ‘yung character ko as Flora. Pinagtulungan talaga namin ‘yun. Sabi namin, kailangan may something na iba dito, may kakaibang mai-offer sa audience.

How is Flora different from the other roles you’ve played before?

Kailangan kong palitan ‘yung boses, ‘yung paraan ng pagsasalita ko, pati ‘yung lakad ko dapat iba. Talagang hindi ito yung normal na LJ na nakikita ng viewers. Sa previous roles na nagawa ko, may kontrabidang sosyal at meron din ‘yung mahirap, pero hindi kagaya nito. Actually kapag naririnig ko nga ‘yung voice ko every time nagpe-playback kami, sinasabi ko, ‘Direk, nakakaasar pala ‘yung boses ko.’

The show has been extended until April 10. How do you feel about it?

Yes! Thank you, Lord! Thank you, GMA! Thank you sa lahat ng manonood. Ang saya-saya talaga namin, as in! Kasi talagang dugo’t pawis ‘yung binigay namin sa ‘Yagit.’ Hindi naman madali na mag-taping dahil meron din kaming pamilya, ako meron akong anak na kailangang alagaan. At the same time, you have to push your co-actors also para mailabas din nila ‘yung talent nila. ‘Yung teamwork and ‘yung puyatan, nagiging worth it. Noong nag-announce na extended kami talagang naiyak pa ‘yung director at producer namin.

What do you think is the edge of ‘Yagit’ over other shows?

Lahat nakakaka-relate and marami pa talagang mangyayari.

Apart from ‘Yagit,’ what else keeps you busy?

I’m part of an indie film titled ‘Anino Sa Likod Ng Buwan,’ written and directed by Jun Lana. We also had a stage play in CCP last February 20, ‘yung ‘Juego De Peligro.’

So you already started to embrace theater?

Umapak pa lang ako. It was my first stage play, kaya medyo kinabahan ako. And I’m very grateful na sa first stage play ko, nakatrabaho ko na agad sina Shamaine Buencamino, at ang friend kong si Arnold Reyes. The play was written by Elmer Gatchalian and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio.

What do you think is the major difference of theater to mainstream film?

Very physical ‘yung training. Wala naman kaming lapel dito, kaya talagang dapat malalaki ang movements and all. And ‘yung struggle sa part ko is ‘yung character ko dahil mahinhin siya tapos kailangang may movements.

The remake of the 1980’s phenomenal drama series ‘Yagit’ airs Monday to Friday after ‘The Half Sisters’ on GMA Afternoon Prime. Get the latest updates about the show from its official Facebook page www.facebook. com/OfficialYagit, Twitter account @officialyagit, and the GMA Network websitewww. GMANetwork.com.  (FREEMAN)