On February 17, Kapuso artist Ashley Ortega expressed her gratitude for landing a lead role in GMA Network’s first suspense-serye, Widows Web.
During the media conference for Widows’ Web, Ortega said she feels both grateful and pressured with her starring role in the teleserye, especially with the stars and directors of the series.
“Well, of course, I’m very grateful na nabigyan ako ng chance to star in this very beautiful project and na-pressure din ako at the same time kasi syempre bigatin din ‘yung mga kasama ko dito.
“Si Direk Jerry and the other cast, karamihan kasi first time kong makatrabaho and again when I got the news that I was part of this show, nabasa ko rin ‘yung synopsis ng story, na-amaze talaga ako.”
As for her character, she noted that her role in the series is different from her role in Legal Wives.
“And my character here is very different from past character na–which was in Legal Wives, so talagang I really had to put effort in it. I’m just really grateful sa GMA [Network].”
She also shared her preparation for her first starring role in a Kapuso series.
“My role here is Jackie Antonio Sagrado, so this is the most mature role I’ve done here in GMA [Network]. And it’s very challenging for me because I have to put so much effort into my character. Syempre unang-una doon is I have to look mature, I have to think mature, I have to act mature known na ako ‘yung magiging wife ni Kuya Ryan. So syempre we have to meet halfway. And aside from that, ‘yung physically, I prepared for it.”
Ortega admitted that she would often adopt her character’s nuances in real life.
“Kailangan mag-ugaling mayaman ka. Si Jackie kasi is a very gracefully strong, independent woman. So ‘yung posture ko, ‘yung paano ako magsalita–she’s very soft spoken, kung paano siya umupo. Hindi ko na lang din namamalayan, kapag nagte-take na kami, alam mo ‘yung napapa-upo na lang ako ng sobrang lady-like na nagugulat na lang ako. So na-adopt ko na rin siya sa character ko.
“Of course, the little things also. For example my hair, kailangan laging volumized. ‘Yung nails ko, naka nail extensions ako dito. Lahat ng accessories, so it’s a whole package. So those are the little things na kailangan para maging isang Jackie Sagrado.”
She also shared how directors Jerry Lopez-Sineneng and Phillip Lazaro helped her with her role.
“And of course, emotionally, with the guidance of Direk Jerry, and Direk Phillip, I have to be on the level of a mature woman. Kaya, I have to put so much effort into this character. And so far naman, happy kami sa lahat ng mga materials and I’m just really grateful na naging part ako ng show na ‘to.”
Ortega stars in GMA Network’s first suspense-serye Widows’ Web. Joining her are Kapuso actresses Carmina Villaroel, Vaness del Moral, and Pauline Mendoza.
The series also has a star-studded supporting cast with Ryan Eigenmann, Adrian Alandy, Edgar Allan Poe, Bernard Palanca, Arthur Solinap, Christian Vasquez, Allan Paule, Mosang, Tanya Gomez, Neil Coleta, Mike Agassi, Karenina Haniel, Dave Bornea, Anjay Anson, and Vanessa Pena.
Directed by Jerry Lopez-Sineneng and Phillip Lazaro, the series premieres on February 28, 2022, via GMA Telebabad.
