THE HIT 'PRIMA DONNAS' DRAMA SERIES IS BACK & DIRECTOR GINA ALAJAR SAYS BOOK 2 IS BIGGER, MORE COMPLICATED & EXCITING THAN BOOK 1
KATRINA HALILI AS LILLIAN AND WENDELL RAMOS AS JAIME in 'PRIMA DONNAS BOOK 2'“PRIMA DONNAS” was such a big hit when it first aired in August, 2019. The covid lockdown stopped it for a while, but they did lock in taping and it was shown again in 2020. When it ended, the fans requested in social media for GMA to come up with Book 2 and now, it’s about to be aired on GMA Afternoon’s Prime.
For their first zoom presscon, only the senior members of the cast were invited: Chanda Romero as Lady Prima Claveria, Wendell Ramos as her son Jaime, Katrina Halili as Lillian the mother of the donnas,
Aiko Melendez as the villainous Kendra, Benjie Paras as Agaton the driver of Jaime, plus a new contravida, Sheryl Cruz as Bethany, a balikbayan from Australia who will help mess up the live of the donnas.
Also present are the two directors: Gina Alajar and Phillip Lazaro.
As the main director, Gina Alajar says this is bigger, more complicated and exciting than Book 1.
“Naka-lock in taping kami for 82 days,” she says. “We’re the longest sa mga nag-lock in taping. Mahirap, but I believe na walang mahirap kung ang lahat, magtutulungan. 82 days kaming naka-lock in nang walang uwian. Andaming experiences and challenges na nangyari sa amin. Nagkasakit si Katrina, she had to leave kasi she’s in pain. Naospital siya.
"Si Wendell, yung wife niya, gave birth at hindi siya makalabas. Kundi kami nagkapitkamay at hindi kami kumapit sa Diyos, nagkawatak-watak na kami. Thank God for His grace & mercy, we came out of it stronger. We’ve now mastered doing lock in taping. And I want to thank the whole team kasi everyone contributed their best.”
Wendell Ramos says they survived their nearly three-month lock in taping because Gina is very prayerful.
“Before we roll each day, we do our praise and worship and we’re so blessed we have Direk Gina who believes in the power of prayer," he says.
"We pray everyday. Kasi kung kami lang, hindi namin mao-overcome ang lahat ng pagsubok na dumating sa amin. Personally, mahirap ang lock in kasi malayo ka sa family mo. Marami kang iniisip. Lalo na ng nanganak ang misis ko na wala ako. Nandun lahat ng struggle. But we survived it.”
As for Katrina Halili, it was an ordeal for her to get sick while they’re on taping.
“Masakit ang katawan ko, naninigas ang mga kamay ko, hindi ko maigalaw. Tapos giniginaw ako nang sobra. Inalagaan nila ako, lalo na si Miss Chanda who’s very caring.
"Tinitiis ko talaga nung una, kasi ayokong maging cause ng problema sa set. Alam kong ang dami pang scenes na kukunan sa akin. But hindi naman puedeng mag-rely na lang ako sa pain relievers, so eventually nagpaalam ako na lalabas ako para magpadoktor. They allowed me naman to leave.”
She underwent a thorough check up.
“Pina-MRI ako at nagkaproblema sa nerves ko at the back of my neck. But now, thank God, okay na ako, nakabalik naman ako sa set. And now, ni wala na akong maintenance meds na iniinom since last December.
"We’re really excited kasi napakaganda ng story ng Book 2. May bagong characters at masyadong maraming twists na pati kami sa cast, naloka. It’s great to have a director like Direk Gina na isang actress din and she really guides us in our roles.”
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