GINA ALAJAR is one of our busiest actors-directors.
After directing the blockbuster hit series “Prima Donnas”, she went back to acting in “Nagbabagang Luha” as the meddlesome mother of Rayver Cruz.
Now that she has finished taping all her scenes for that show, she is now back into directing “Prima Donnas, Book Two”.
They shot two legs of lock in tapings for “Nagbabagang Luha” in a span of three and a half months.
And now, she will be doing lock in taping with the stars of “Prima Donnas Book Two” from August 15 to November 15, or three months straight.
“So sa fans ng ‘Prima Donnas’ who ask kung kailan kami magbabalik, heto na, malapit na. Abangan nyo lang.
"Balik ang buong cast at makakasama na namin uli si Sofia Pablo na hindi napasama sa ending nung Book 1. Kasi wala pa siyang 15 noon, so she was not allowed to do lock in taping.
"But now, 15 na siya, so she returns to the show as Donna Lyn. Meron ding bagong additions sa series, like Sheryl Cruz, and teen stars Allen Ansay and Bruce Roland.”
So which is more difficult to do: acting or directing?
“Kapag artista ka, you think of yourself lang. How will I look before the camera? And you will memorize your lines lang.
"After the take, you can go back to your room and rest kapag hindi na ikaw ang kinukunan sa eksena. You can go get some sleep or read or just relax.”
And what about when she’s the director?
“E, as a director, mas marami kang trabaho as you’re the one in charge of everything, of orchestrating the whole show.
"At responsibility mo hindi lang ang acting ng cast kundi pati ang operations ng buong staff.
"Mahirap, lalo na ngayong lock in taping, kasi may deadline kayong sinusunod. Bilang ang araw nyo. Kailangan bago matapos ang lock in taping, matapos din lahat ng eksenang dapat na kukunan nyo.
"E, kung minsan, the weather won’t cooperate, lalo ngayon, ulan ng ulan, di kayo makakapag-tape sa labas. So you have to adjust to all that.”
How is it being directed by another actor in “Nagbabagang Luha”, Ricky Davao?
“With Ricky, I am so relaxed and it is always a pleasure to work with him. We go back a long way kasi marami na kaming nagawang movies before.
"We collaborate and I’m glad that he has a very open mind. Happy ako rito sa ‘Nagbabagang Luha’ and I’m happy working with Glaiza de Castro, Rayver Cruz and all our other co-stars.”
