“Dragon Lady” stars Tom Rodriguez, Joyce Ching, and Edgar Allan Guzman promotes the afternoon series in a visit at SM City Cebu in Cebu City on March 30. |Michelle Joy Padayhag
CEBU CITY, Philippines — Very challenging but fun.
This was how Kapuso stars Tom Rodriguez, Joyce Ching, and Edgar Allan Guzman described their characters in “Dragon Lady,” an afternoon prime fantasy drama during a press conference held at the Abaseria Cafe and Deli in Cebu City on March 30, Saturday before their Kapuso Mall Show was held at the SM City Cebu.
In the series, Ching plays Astrid Chua, the greatest rival of Celestina Sanchez, the character of Janine Guiterrez, the lead star in series.
“I think yung difference sa kontrabida roles ko (before), si Astrid medyo seductive. Full on talaga na evil. Wala siyang heart at all kasi hindi naibigay (yung love) sa kaniya,” she told the members of Cebu Entertainment Group.
(I think what makes Astrid different from my antagonist roles before is that Astrid is seductive. She is full evil. She has no heart since she has not experienced love.)
The 24-year-old actress is known for her antagonist roles in GMA shows like, “Paroa: Ang Kwento ni Mariposa,” “Dormitoryo,” and “Paraiso Ko’y Ikaw.”
Ching describes Astrid as a person who grows up that only values money.
“So siya iniisip na ganoon rin — money, money. I can buy you everything, everyone. Plus, she thinks kapag the more evil she becomes, the more maging proud and mamahalin or papansinin ng mom niya,” she said.
(She thinks that it is always money. She also thinks that the more she is evil, her mother will be proud and love her more.)
Business tycoon
Guzman plays the character of Goldwyn Chen, a business tycoon from a rich Chinese family and will fall in love with Celestina.
“Wala akong alam sa business. Tapos isa pa, yung character ko medyo seryoso. Never ngingiti kahit kinikilig na. Kahit eksena namin ni Celestina, kahit kumbaga nagugustuhan ko na siya, dapat hindi ko dapat ipakita,” he said.
(I don’t know anything about business. One more thing, my character is serious. I do not smile even if I feel giddy. Even a scene with Celestina, I should not let her feel that I like her.)
The award-winning actor finds it challenging to also portray Goldwyn since their characters are opposite in real life.
“Pero na e-enjoy ko naman siya lalo na ngayon darating na scenes. Excited ako to do it. Gusto ko yung malalaking eksena, full of emotion. Challenging, yet na enjoy ko naman siya every taping day,” Guzman added.
(But I enjoy working especially on our upcoming scenes. I am excited to do it. I like big scenes — full of emotion. It is challenging, but I enjoy every taping day.)
Filipino-Chinese
For Rodriguez, he plays the character of Filipino-Chinese Michael Chan. He will be instrumental in the downfall of Celestina.
But there will be a twist of the story when Michael falls for Celestina.
“Parang first day of school uli na you think parang nakalimutan ko paano gawin. Kikilalanin mo uli environment mo and yung kakayahan mo,” he said.
(It is like your first day at school, and sometimes, I forget how to do it. I have to learn again about the new environment and my capability.)
Rodriguez adds that he is thankful that they have an acting coach in the set who helps them to portray their characters well.
“Dragon Lady” is the first team-up of Rodriguez and Gutierrez in GMA Network which premiered on March 4.
The story centers on Celestina who has dragon-like features.
Other stars in the series are James Blanco, Diana Zubiri, Maricar De Mesa, Odette Khan, Dexter Doria, Lovely Abella, Julie Lee, and DJ Durano.
“Dragon Lady” is under the helm of Paul Sta. Ana known for his films like “Oros”, “Huling Pasada”, “Mayohan”, and “Walang Forever.”/dbs
