Things are different now

MANILA, Philippines - Can Mark Herras and Jennylyn Mercado live up to the challenge posed by the mature and sensitive roles assigned to them in their comeback soap as onscreen loveteam? Well, everyone knows how to love and be loved. Thus, direk Joel Lamangan finds no reason for Jennylyn and Mark not to fill in the shoes of the characters once portrayed by Vilma Santos and Christopher de Leon in the ‘80s movie Paano Ba Ang Mangarap? which is now adapted for TV as part of GMA 7’s Dramarama sa Hapon.

“Did they live up to the demands of the role? I can say that Mark, Jen and the whole cast breathe life into the characters well as mature individuals and they give what the roles required of them scene after scene,” direk Joel says.

Besides, Jennylyn and Mark have already passed that stage where teenybopper roles made their supporters swoon in delight. Maturity has beckoned and it is now fitting to make their acting more serious and effective. “No more kilig factor, no more pa-sweet lang,” Jennylyn remarks.

“We are now more focused in acting out the characters compared to the light ones we did before. Serious na yung story di na pa-tweetums lang,” Mark adds.

“Mark is really different here. Aside from showing some skin, anyone could see his acting has more depth now. At di na isip bata nabawasan na ang kakulitan,” Jen offers.

Watching a copy of the movie version somehow gave them ideas on how to handle roles but not to the point of playing them in the same way Vilma and Christopher did. Mark and Jen deem it best to give a picture of a young couple under some uncontrollable circumstances

In the story, Jennylyn is Lissa Estrella, a poor lass who falls in love with rich guy Benny Valderama (Hero Angeles). Benny gets her pregnant but meets an accident that puts his life in danger. On his deathbed, he makes his brother Eric (Mark) promise to look for Lissa and take good care of her. Benny died without knowing his ladylove’s condition. And more conflicts arise when Benny’s family discovers the real identity of Lissa who pretends to be looking for a job as maid in the family mansion. Eric, on the other hand, finds himself slowly falling for Lissa.

Does playing Lissa put a pressure on Jen?

“There is pressure because it is played by Miss Vilma Santos at hindi basta-basta yung role. It is natural for televiewers to have high expectations and I only wish I could meet them,” she replies.

That’s why, coming to the set unprepared is a big no-no for her. She dutifully reads the script and memorizes all her lines. “Direk Joel is a disciplinarian and strict so we have to really work seriously on the set. Pag trabaho, trabaho talaga,” she adds.

Making matters more nerve-wracking are the intimate scenes between Hero Angeles and Jennylyn; and Mark and Jennylyn in the later part of the story. “Oh, I can handle them quite easily,” she quips.

Does her being a mom to six-month-old Alex Jazz help Jennylyn give the right emotions?

“I think I’ve matured since I became a mom and it helps not only in my career but also on how to deal life better.”

Let’s see how Mark and Jen’s acting fare when Paano Ba Ang Mangarap airs today.