New villainess on the soap opera block

She used to be referred to as Alma Moreno’s niece (her mother being a Lacsamana). But now, LJ (for Larrie Jean) Moreno has emerged from her popular aunt’s shadow and emerged as a presence on her own.

She is the easygoing Jack’s (Raymart Santiago) girl in GMA 7’s Kool Ka Lang, and Janno Gibbs’ co-star in last year’s Pedro Penduko. Thanks to talent manager Douglas Quijano’s skilled handling of her career, LJ got the breaks she needed to land her latest big challenge: a contravida role in the widely-followed soap Ikaw Lang ang Mamahalin (weekdays, 8 p.m.).

Those dusky looks and penetrating eyes will serve the 21-year-old LJ in good stead when she plays villain – the fly in lead actress Angelika de la Cruz’s ointment, starting tonight. LJ replaces Sunshine Dizon, who bowed out from the role recently. Filling in Sunshine’s shoes will not be easy at the start, but fiery, go-getter LJ is unfazed. Unlike Sunshine, LJ is unafraid of being stereotyped as a meanie in the mold of Gladys Reyes or Princess Punzalan.

In fact, LJ is as excited as a kid opening Christmas presents about her new role, promising a different kind of attack to her dark character.

Just what it will be, LJ is not saying. Suffice it to say that she plans to burn the midnight oil studying various villain portrayals on video to get a good feel of her first villain role.

"It doesn’t matter what role I play, as long as it’s good," she says, shrugging off fears that playing villain will limit her range as an actress.

As she shrugs, one notices a horned Casper tattooed on one of her shoulders.

"Oh this," she looks over her bare shoulder. "It was Kuya Mark (Anthony Fernandez, Alma’s eldest son) who suggested this kind of design. He said it gives the impression of someone who is both naughty and nice."

That dual personality can well describe how some sectors look at this former Balikbayan. Her exotic good looks, it seems, can also prove to be a "killer" with the boys.

"Maybe because I’m the type of person who can easily adjust. I can befriend the guy’s barkada. I can be one of the boys," LJ explains why she has gained that kind of reputation.

LJ has been linked to Aga Muhlach ("he’s like an elder brother to me"), Raymart Santiago ("nothing to it") and other men in showbiz.

But of her relationships, it was the one with Diether Ocampo, boyfriend of four years (they broke up six months ago) that she considers really serious. The rest, LJ says, was not that well, meaningful.

Asked about Diether, LJ turns wistful: "I hope we can become friends. I don’t regret our relationship because I learned a lot from him."

There is a big but though. "We’re not on speaking terms. He refuses to even talk to me. But really now, he is a closed chapter in my life," she goes on.

She can talk that way because LJ has just opened a new chapter in her love life. He has come in the person of tall (height: 6’2") Afro-American Sean Jones from faraway Springfield, Massachusetts.

Her Prince Charming entered LJ’s life one day when good friend Jackie Forster’s new cager-flame, introduced Sean to her (LJ). Sparks didn’t fly the first time.

"I hated him," LJ recalls. "He talked so fast."

But as days went by, LJ herself ate her words. After a series of friendly dates, she started appreciating Sean’s straightforward American ways.

"Unlike a Filipino guy, Sean tells you what he feels, no ifs and buts," explains LJ.

And so, a week after he left with a promise to visit her end of December – a date which has to be moved because of an accident where he incurred a broken jaw – LJ and Sean were sweethearts.

"Now, I can tell him," LJ’s eyes sparkle with amusement, "Baby, don’t mumble."

The long distance romance – fed by endless phone calls and e-mail – is hard. LJ refuses to think of pitfalls to the romance like another girl entering the picture.

"This way, I can relax, take it easy," she says. Realistic enough not to pin her hopes too hard on a guy living oceans away from her, LJ would like to keep the relationship cool and casual, free from serious commitment.

Give her a break. LJ is only 21, enjoying the taste of freedom after she decided to live on her own with only a maid assisting her, after her birthday last Oct. 5.

"I used to tell my Dad I wanted to be independent, even before I turned 21 – one-and-a-half-months before my birthday, to be exact," says LJ.

She is not about to abuse the trust her parents gave her when they finally allowed LJ to live away from them.

There is, for instance, the constant danger of falling prey to drugs.

LJ, the eldest in the family, plans to set a good example to younger brother Francis Ricafort, a ramp model, by saying no to this dangerous vice.

"They’re everywhere," she says. "But no thanks, they’re not for me," she says.

LJ Moreno may look liberated and free-spirited on the outside, but there’s more to her than meets the eye. That invisible something keeps her feet firmly planted on the ground.