LJ Reyes gives kids a hard time in 'Yagit'

MANILA, Philippines — After months of rest, LJ Moreno is back to work as they work on GMA-7's upcoming drama series "Yagit."

The show is a remake of the 1983 drama series of the same title, which tells the story of five kids' struggle in life.

"I'll be portraying Flora. Sa akin kasi sila titira, magiging step mother ako ng dalawang kids. Medyo feeling ko kasi pabigat sila, so magiging pahirap ako sa kanila," LJ said about her character, in an interview Tuesday.

Portraying the antagonist is nothing new with LJ, but what makes this character challenging are scenes where she confronts children.

"Kinakabahan ako," she said. "Kasi may isang scene na kailangan ko sila paluin ng siyanse. So pinalagyan namin ng pads sa likod para protection. But I always remind them na this is only acting, although alam naman nila. Pag-cut rin naman ng eksena iba na ang treatment namin sa kanila."

"Tapos after ng scene tinatanong ko kung anong favorite chocolate nila," she relates, laughing, on how she makes up to the kids after a confontation scene.

It's hard for LJ to set aside her motherly attitude when playing in scenes when she has to be harsh to the kids in the show, being a mom to four-year-old Ethan Akio, her son with Paulo Avelino.

Now that she's back to work, the Kapuso actress has to juggle again her time for her son and for work.

"Actually isa ‘yon sa pinakamahirap na gawin. Sometimes we wish we have more than 24 hours," she said.

"So sometimes what you do na lang is maximize your time, hindi ko alam paano ko nagagawa pero nagagawa ko naman nang sabay-sabay. Pero magugulat ka na lang na with prayers, nagagawa ko siya."