“Yes, I’m ready,” replied Jolina when asked about how prepared she is for her pivotal role in the series.
Jolina will play the character of Zenaida “Aida” Carbonel, the keeper of the secret behind the real identities of the lead characters portrayed by Louise delos Reyes and new kapuso Lauren Young.
“Ngayong lang ako magkakaroon ng role na ganito kaya na-e-excite ako. Natutuwa rin ako dahil alam kong magagaling ang mga kasama ko,” said Jolina.
She explained that although she plays one of the antagonists in the story, her character is not as evil as the main kontrabidas.
“Naglalaro yung character ko sa pagiging kontrabida. Pero hindi ito ‘yung kontrabidang sobrang sama talaga, meron siyang pinanggagalingan pero mabait din naman yung character ko,” she said.
Jolina, who has not done another series since “My Daddy Dearest” (which ended in August 2012), is very excited with her new project especially because the role is new to her.
“Nung tinext pa lang sa akin ang tungkol sa project na ‘to, ang unang tanong ko kaagad ay kung paano ito naiiba sa mga naging roles ko before. Kasi ang tagal bago ako nagka-series ulit, yung huli ko ay yung ‘My Daddy Dearest’ at yun ay biglaan talaga kasi hindi naman talaga ako dapat yun, at saka yun medyo comedy yun e, ito drama talaga,” she shared.
In the series, Jolina will be working once again with two of her closest friends in the industry, Sunshine Dizon and Angelika dela Cruz, and an esteemed actress she had worked with back when she was still in the other network.
“Nakasama ko si Sunshine sa mga unang shows ko dito sa GMA. Si Angelika naman kaibigan ko ‘yan talaga. Sa totoo lang lahat ng cast ng show na ‘to nakasama ko na dati except for Alden, Louise and Lauren,” said Jolina.
“Sobrang saya ko nang malaman kong kasama dito si Tita Jane (Jaclyn Jose) kasi alam kong marami kaming pagku-kuwentuhan e. Nung time na nag-start kaming maging close nun ang dami naming bonding moments. Kaya ito catching up talaga nang bonggang-bongga,” she added.
Jolina admits that she is yet to get used to the very hectic schedule of doing a daily series.
“Pinaghahandaan ko talaga yung schedule dahil alam naman nating back to puyatan mode pag nasa series ka. Pino-program ko na yung saliri na masanay mapuyat ulit at kung may time umidlip ay umidlip na para makapagpahinga nang mabuti. Kasi ‘pag medyo napapahinga ka nang konti sa ganung klaseng schedule kailangan mong kundisyunin ulit ang sarili mo para masanay ka kahit papaano,” she said.
Although Jolina is going to have her hands full – she’s also co-hosting the GMA News TV public affairs show “Personalan” – she says she will find time to fulfil her duties as a wife to music producer Mark Escueta.
“Wala namang kaso sa kaniya [Jolina’s husband Mark Escueta]. Tuwing nababalitaan niyang meron akong bagong gagawin na-e-excite siya para sa akin. Bonus pa ‘pag talagang gusto ko yung ginagawa ko. Kahit nga yung mga raket lang masaya na siya para sa akin, eto pa kayang isang napakagandang project? Sine-celebrate namin yung mga ganito e,” she shared.
Jolina and Mark hope to finally build their love nest this year and so they are working doubly hard.
“Ang goal naman talaga namin ay bahay na sarili namin. Dati hanap kami nang hanap ng bahay at lupa pero parang hindi yata kami pang-bahay at lupa. Ngayon ang naisip namin ay bibili na lang kami ng lupa muna tapos tatayuan namin ng bahay. Nang mag-start ang 2013 nangyayari na yun. Okay na kami sa lupa so ngayon nandun na kami sa process ng pagwo-work para sa pagpapatayo ng bahay,” said Jolina.
Since their union in December 2011, Jolina and Mark have been praying for a child but so far their prayer hasn’t been answered. However, they are not in a rush.
“Kung ibigay, okay, kung hindi naman ay hindi kami made-depress kasi naniniwala kami pareho na kung ibibigay sa amin, ibibigay talaga,” Jolina said.
“At sa totoo lang walang pressure mula sa mga pamilya namin kasi alam nila na ine-enjoy muna namin ni Mark kung anuman ang meron kami ngayon at hindi ganoon kadali ‘pag nagpapatayo ka ng bahay tapos alam nila na may work kami pareho. Nangangamusta sila pero alam mong nangangamusta lang talaga at hindi nagbibigay ng pressure sa amin,” she added.
“Mundo Mo’y Akin” is set to premiere on March 18 (Monday) on GMA Telebabad, replacing “Pahiram ng Sandali.” Apart from Jolina, Angelika dela Cruz, Sunshine Dizon, Alden Richards, Louise delos Reyes and Lauren Young also star in the series with Gabby Eigenmann and Jaclyn Jose. It is directed by Andoy Ranay (One True Love).
