Seasoned actress and Prima Donnas director Gina Alajar has definitely seen how talented the young stars of the GMA 7 afternoon prime series are. She is also hoping that the Kapuso management will notice their acting and support them all the way.
Prima Donnas stars Jillian Ward, Sofia Pablo and Althea Ablan in the title role. They play siblings Donna Marie (Jillian), Donna Belle (Althea) and Donna Lyn (Sofia), who are the heiresses to the Claveria family and granddaughters to grand matriarch Lady Prima (Chanda Romero).
“I’m betting on them,” said direk Gina on the young cast members as the network’s next big stars. “I hope the network will notice their work and I’m sure the network will support them all the way. I wish that they will be given more challenging roles in the sense na hindi sila ma-identify lang sa iisang klase. They should be tested in different kinds of (film) genres.”
Apart from their acting, the director has also observed the good character traits not only of the three girls but also that of Elijah Alejo, and latest additions to the cast namely, Will Ashley, Vince Crisostomo, Allen Michael Ansay and Bruce Roeland.
“They were raised well by their parents,” said Gina. “All of them are respectful and that’s one thing for sure because they show it every time, lagi silang nag-gre-greet ‘pag nagkita-kita sa dining hall and the boys, gentlemen lahat ‘yan na kapag meron kang dala-dala, they would offer help and say, ‘Let me carry it for you.’ They show good manners.”
Given their age, direk Gina noted some adjustments they needed to do. “Of course, they’re very young, marami pa silang kakainin, marami pa silang matutunan sa buhay at alam natin marami pa rin silang adjustments sa buhay na ito. Nandito pa lang sila sa teenage years. It’s a fact that we have to always adjust to what is in front of us.”
She continued, “In their case, when they reach the age of 20, they adjust. Then, ‘pag 25 ka na, they still have to adjust or even when they’re 30. I mean, change is constant change. What is difficult (to deal with) is when the attitude does not improve or the way they think. It will become a problem but as far as changing in a positive way, na they are beginning to mature and naiiba na ‘yung perspective nila, ‘yung paniniwala nila, then it’s very good, it’s very positive.”
Speaking of change, televiewers can expect to see the different sides of Jillian, Althea and Sofia as they reprise their characters as beloved sisters, who are beginning to bloom as fine young ladies in Prima Donnas Book 2.
Directors Gina and Philip Lazaro assure that while the story continues, the second season will be significantly different from the first season. New episodes will begin to air on Jan. 24.
The new season has a dash of young love with the characters of Will, Vince, Bruce and Allen entering the picture and making the hearts of the three Donnas beat a little faster.
“May ka-loveteam na ‘yung mga bata and then if you agree with me, doon sa nakita (in the teaser) na chemistry nung mga bata, then we hope that the pairings will succeed. We also hope that these kids will succeed in the future because they act so well and they all look good.”
Apart from directors Gina and Philip, there is also a creative team behind the beautiful story of Prima Donnas, composed of creative director Aloy Adlawan, creative unit head Dode Cruz, creative consultant Kit Langit, concept creator Maria Zita Garganera, headwriter Luningning Interino-Ribay, and writers Renato Custodio Jr., Kenneth Angelo Enriquez and Wiro Michael Ladera.