“I had to undergo a lot of training for my transformation into Contessa,” says Glaiza. “Unang binago is my looks, from my hairstyle and make up to my entire wardrobe. Collaboration po ito between the stylist, the make up artist, the production staff and me. But I also had to train physically for greater starmina dahil magkakaroon ng action scenes. I had to take martial arts training, then nag-target shooting din ako para matuto akong bumaril. Also, yung character ni Contessa, total opposite ng kay Bea. Malaking-malaki ang difference nila kasi mas matigas si Contessa, very strong willed at talagang laging palaban so kailangang mas galingan ko pa ang projection ko bilang isang babaeng sobrang naapi at naghahanap ng katarungan after she was imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit. Kaya ang buong attention at lahat ng time ko, naka-focus totally ngayon sa role ko at sa show. I don’t want to be distracted at all.”
Some bashers are saying “Contessa” was just copied from Maja Salvador’s recent “Wildflower”. What can she say about this? “Although parehong may element of revenge, I think ‘Contessa’ is more about woman empowerment, about seeking justice to correct what’s wrong and fighting for what is right. Mas masasabi kong ang story ng ‘Contessa’ is inspired by the classic novel and movie, ‘The Count of Monte Cristo’. Count siya, Contessa naman ako. Tapos pareho kaming nabilanggo at pareho kaming yumaman after a treasure hunt. Just like Edmond Dantes in ‘The Count’, si Bea in ‘Contessa’ is innocent but is set up to be jailed, pero nang makalabas siya, bumangon siya at patuloy na lumaban. I’m really thankful to GMA that they entrusted me with this project and I’m also grateful to the viewers sa maganda nilang pagtanggap sa show.”
