ABS-CBN has been known for its star-making abilities. The magic of ABS-CBN is their tried and tested formula of making a celebrity to a star and a household “commodity”.
But, ABS-CBN’s magic will not work without the support of its audience. That’s why it is a question if ABS-CBN is still keen on pushing Jane de Leon to the next level after having been heavily criticized on social media.
The ascent of Jane de Leon
Jane started her career with Star Magic in 2014 but her first good break was her inclusion in It’s Showtime‘s all girl group, Girl Trends in 2016.
She was then cast in several TV shows and teleseryes like Wansapanataym, La Luna Sangre, and Halik.
But her name became more relevant after she was chosen to replace Liza Soberano for the role of Darna.
In July 2019, following the decision of Liza to back out from the Darna project, Jane was announced as her replacement.
While many were skeptical since she’s still basically a newcomer, still many gave her the benefit of the doubt that she can give justice to the role.
ABS-CBN crisis
However, during the height of the ABS-CBN crisis with regards to their franchise application, many netizens raised their eyebrows and criticized the soon to be Darna for being silent on the issue of ABS-CBN.
While big names in the Kapamilya network were all out in their support for the embattled network, Jane chose to keep mum about it saying she has her own way of supporting the station.
In a lengthy social media post, Jane said her support for ABS-CBN is not measured by going out onto the street because we are still in a pandemic.
“My support to the current crisis that the network is facing right now is not just measured by going out in the streets in this time of pandemic. Alam kong para sa nakakarami sa atin, masakit ang closure ng ABS-CBN. Nakikiisa at nakikisimpatya rin po ako sa mga kapwa ko Kapamilya na nawalan ng kabuhayan.
“However, let us not forget that in the bigger picture, we are still at risk because we all have an invisible enemy to deal with. Our health and that of our loved ones are at stake. As the COVID infection rate in our country continues to rise, hospitals and facilities are nearing, if not reached, full capacity,” Jane posted.
But netizens were not satisfied with her explanation as they continued to criticize her even comparing her to another Darna, Angel Locsin.
Darna Teleserye
However, amidst criticisms from the netizens, ABS-CBN seemed keen on making Jane one of its big stars.
Just recently, Jane was featured in Maalaala Mo Kaya’s fresh episode alongside Arjo Atayde and Sylvia Sanchez.
She also had her solo moment at the 2020 ABS-CBN Christmas Station ID which again started uproar from the netizens saying she is not deserving of the solo spot in the most important Kapamilya station ID.
@itsmemadam_ wrote, “Taray sinama pa din si Jane De Leon kahit ayaw makisali sa #NoToABSCBNShutDown #FlopDarna #IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya.”
Taray sinama pa din si Jane De Leon kahit ayaw makisali sa #NoToABSCBNShutDown#FlopDarna
— Madam (@itsmemadam_) December 1, 2020
“I don’t like Jane de Leon’s exposure. Sikat ba siya? Sikat na ba siya? E hindi pa nga naging darna. “’Da who; lang naman sya before. Masyadong binibigyan ng exposure na prang nakakalimutan na ung iba @ABSCBN #IkawAngLiwanagAtLigaya,” @AmazinggRe
https://twitter.com/AmazinggRe/status/1333760787467309056
And the latest, while the Darna movie has been shelved indefinitely, ABS-CBN announced the return of Darna in television as a teleserye which will still feature Jane de Leon.
The Darna teleserye has been instrumental in solidifying the careers of Angel Locsin and Marian Rivera.
That’s why with ABS-CBN and Darna teleserye behind Jane’s career it will be interesting to know if she will have the same fate.
