Gone are the days when Francine Prieto had only one show to get by. She is smiling from ear to ear these days as TV assignments — from comedy to fantasy to suspense — keep on pouring with more exciting and interesting roles to play.
“I don’t like being stuck in the same role. That is why I’m grateful I have different shows now,” Francine says.
Recently, the 5’10”-tall actress signed a two-year contract with GMA 7 after getting out of Seiko, which introduced her in sexy films. The contract gives Francine the chance to shine in various TV genres as she gets to do two shows per year. More TV projects also means more food on the table and enables Francine the breadwinner to support her siblings’ education.
“There will be no room to get bored. The roles I portray help me improve my passion and always keep me on my feet,” Francine says.
So far, Francine has endeared herself to televiewers as one of the funny mainstays on GMA 7’s Bubble Gang and as a dangerously wild character on Kamandag. She will again show her “mean bone” as she makes life tough for Iza Calzado the way she did during their Etheria days. The two will play rivals every Thursday night on the Kapuso network’s latest suspense thriller-drama E.S.P. It replaces Mel Tiangco’s Magpakailanman which had its final airing last week.
E.S.P. tells different heart-stopping stories week after week as Cassandra (Iza), an ambitious beauty queen-turned-investigative reporter will do everything to always be the first to get the latest news in town. But things won’t be as smooth for her as Ivy (Francine), her rival from the other TV station is determined to topple her. The two also fight for the attention of Dave (Alfred Vargas), the young and handsome TV executive. Cassandra’s assertiveness will lead her to tragedy and even to the brink of death.
Playing contravida anew to Iza is no big deal for Francine. She finds her character Ivy a perfect vehicle to add spice and variety to her acting.
“What is important is I have work to do. Flexibility is a must for every actor so as not to get tied into doing the same thing all over again,” Francine shares.
In fact, Francine compares the difference of characters she portrays in her every TV project. She can be bold and harmful in a costume as Queen of Pusbaya on the fantasy series, an effective rib tickler on a gag show and this time she will remind televiewers about her “hatred” towards Iza. “They will hate me more.”
But offcam, Iza and Francine are far from their Ivy and Cassandra characters. They bond well and talk about almost everything.
“While we only had a chance to say hi and hello during Etheria days because we seldom had a scene together, this time we can get to laugh and talk a lot on the set,” Francine says.
But it doesn’t mean the two take the job easily. They buckle down to work as soon as the cameras start grinding which usually lasts until the following day of the scheduled taping.
“We make sure the show is worth watching. I always watch myself act so I can improve and make up for whatever lapses I have,” Francine says.
E.S.P. also stars Pen Medina, Liza Lorena, Nonie Buencamino, Paolo Paraiso and Patricia Ismael. It is directed by Argel Joseph with Jun Lana as headwriter.