During the media conference for the upcoming Kapamilya series Darna on Tuesday, August 8, multi-awarded director Chito Roño expressed his adoration toward his lead star Jane De Leon in front of select members of the press, including LionhearTV.
“Jane worked very hard for her role in the series,” he lauded.
Roño saw how strenuous the roles played by the star were. De Leon had to switch roles from being a young Narda to an adolescent Narda and finally becoming the superheroine Darna.
He was amazed that she was able to juggle all her characters.
“Ang problema lang kay Jane, she has to balance being Narda and being Darna. At talagang mahirap. Other than Narda, dalawa pang characters, ‘yung bata at tsaka ‘yung age na malaki-laki siya.
“So ang dami talagang role siyang ginagampanan. It’s really a challenge for her as an actress and I think she did very well.”
Roño also applauded de Leon’s dedication, sharing that she had no complaints even when her hair was cut.
“Walang problema magpaputol ng buhok,” stated the director.
“Kasi we encountered actresses na hindi maputulan.”
De Leon appreciated Roño’s words but admitted she was terrified upon meeting the director.
“With Direk Chito, sobrang kinakabahan talaga ako. Kasi knowing Direk Chito, napaka-terror tama ba?” jest the actress.
Though he was a “terror” on set, she understood the reason why. Working with him, she saw how experienced and knowledgeable the director is.
“Pero ang maganda kasi kay Direk Chito, kabisado niya lahat, blockings ganiyan. Kaya kahit marami kayong artista, oras na magkamali kayo, anong sasabihin mo Direk? Hahaha!
“Ayaw niya lang ng tatanga-tanga. Kailangan lang focus ka, alert ka, and marami talagang aral ang binigay sa amin ni Direk Chito,” explained de Leon.
During their locked-in taping, they also formed a fatherly bond.
According to De Leon, there was one time she asked the director for money just to buy food.
The amount started at 20 pesos but she eventually ended up asking for P100 after realizing she needed a “panulak.”
“‘Ah! 20 pesos. Barbecue, tapos tenga ng baboy, walang panulak.’ Sabi ko, ‘Ay Direk! P100 na lang po!’ Hahaha!” De Leon recalled.
She added, “I love Direk Chito, sobra. And ano siya, kapag trabaho naman, trabaho talaga. Pero kapag hindi naman, basta love ko s’ya.”
Darna the TV series will fly on August 15, replacing FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano in the Kapamilya Primetime block.
