ELLE VILLANUEVA couldn't believe it when she was informed that she was chosen to be Derrick Monasterio’s leading lady in the new GMA-7 sexy romantic drama, “Return to Paradise”, that starts airing today.
“This is my biggest break and I am so grateful na ako ang napili nila to play the role of Eden Sta. Maria, the love interest of Derrick as Red Ramos in ‘Return to Paradise’,” she says.
“Noon ko pa gusto mag-artista but my parents are strict and they wanted me to finish college first before I get into showbiz kasi they think acting has a lot of risks at hindi ka sure kung sisikat ka o hindi. So pinagbigyan ko muna sila.”
Elle started her career as a commercial model and she has starred in many TV ads.
Then she started acting in GMA shows, doing supporting roles in shows like “Magpakailanman” where she has appeared three times, “Dear Uge”, “Tadhana” and in “My Fantastic Pag-ibig”.
So how is Derrick as a leading man?
“I’m really thankful na siya ang una kong nakapareha in a TV series kasi very friendly siya from the start,” she says.
“When we first met, sabi niya, pina-follow na niya ako sa Instagram at mas maganda raw ako sa personal.
"Then we took some workshops in preparation for our show at nagkaroon kami agad ng connection. Nakuha niya agad ang tiwala ko.”
She says Derrick is so helpful in their scenes together.
“Bilang siya ang more experienced between us sa showbiz, talagang inalalayan niya ako.
"Akala ko noong una, suplado siya, but it turns out mabait talaga siya at maalaga.
"At first, I thought na mahihirapan ako, lalo sa intimate scenes namin sa island where we got marooned after a plane crash. But siya talaga ang nagdala ng aming kissing scenes and love scenes. He made sure na comfortable ako.”
She proved that Derrick was so caring and thoughtful when she got sick while they were on location.
“Kahit hindi naman niya responsibility, inalagaan niya ako. He checks on me to make sure I’m fine. I felt na genuine talaga ang friendship niya. May concern talaga siya sa kapareha niya.”
She is also thankful to Ela Valdes who plays her mother.
“Sa story, pinabilanggo siya ni Teresa Loyzaga na hindi ko alam, siya palang mother ni Derrick kaya naging hadlang yun sa relationship namin.
"Marami kaming dramatic scenes ni Miss Eula kasi she wants me to just forget habang nasa bilangguan siya.
"Crying scenes talaga ang mga eksena.”
She was surprised when Eula helped her in their scenes together.
“She knows na baguhan lang ako so she was very patient with me. She encourages me kapag pinanghihinaan ako ng loob.
"She’d tell me, kaya mo yan. Just internalize na mabuti yung scene.
"Without their help ni Derrick, I don’t think magagawa ko nang maayos ang trabaho ko, so thank you talaga sa kanila and to our director, Don Michael Perez.”
“Return to Paradise” starts airing this Monday afternoon, replacing “Raising Mamay”.
