Today’s generation of media consu–mers might know Jolina Magdangal as the relatable “momshie” on the morning show “Magandang Buhay” or through video edits highlighting her pop culture influence in the ’90s and early 2000s. However, between these phases, there was Jolina, the serious actress.
From her iconic movie confession scenes (see Bujoy delivering the iconic lines “I’m so stupid to make the biggest mistake of falling in love with my best friend” in the 1998 movie, “Labs Kita… Okey Ka Lang?”) to her more dramatic TV roles — 2015’s “Flordeliza” being her last completed series before taking a break from acting — Magdangal has done many characters.
Almost a decade since her last TV series, Jolina Magdangal is back in the highly anticipated drama series ‘Lavender Fields.’
But acting as a villain was elusive to the well-loved showbiz personality.
That’s changing, however, as she plays the role of Lily Atienza in the upcoming prime time series, “Lavender Fields.”
Lily is the loyal best friend of Iris, played by Janine Gutierrez, who is one of the main villains in the Jodi Sta. Maria-led TV series.
In a one-on-one interview with The Manila Times during a media junket, the 45-year-old actress said she did not hesitate to accept the role of Lily even if it’s far from her identity.
“I didn’t have any hesitation because the fact that Dreamscape considered me for another project, especially after our previous one didn’t push through, fills me with immense gratitude.”
She added that she trusted Dreamscape Entertainment especially after watching the production company’s rich body of work.
“I really like the story and I haven’t done something like Lily, so I thought, why not?”
Magdangal also shared that she was pleasantly surprised with the changes she experienced on set since her last teleserye almost a decade ago.
“When it’s time for taping and work, we really work. If you want to chat, go to a coffee shop or go home. But when we’re here on the set, we’re here to work and support each other, to be in sync.
“And by that, I mean not just doing things only when you’re in a scene. If you can contribute to the success of the project even when you’re not in the scene, why not share that help? We may have different reasons for working, but we’re brought together because we all want to create a great story, a great show. I saw how the set was just guided by those goals.”
She also shared the joy of working with Gutierrez whose character Iris often runs to Magdangal’s Lily for help.
She revealed that they have not worked closely together prior to Lavender Fields — only shared co-hosting duties for a variety show but nothing more — but she has admired her ever since because of her past work.
Magdangal plays the loyal Lily to Janine Gutierrez’s villainous Iris in the series. INSTAGRAM PHOTOS/MARIAJOLINA_IG
“I also got so excited to work with her because from what I’ve heard, she’s a wonderful person. I wanted to experience that for myself, so I’m happy I got to work with her here.”
The praises for Gutierrez proved to be true for Magdangal who said her work became easier as it was Gutierrez she was doing scenes with.
“There was a scene where I held her hand. We hadn’t really had much time to chat or have a heart-to-heart talk yet because it was one of those early days of shooting, but I knew that when I held her hand, I would feel a different energy. The authenticity wasn’t something manufactured by showbiz; it was something unique to her.
“In Nini, I feel like I have someone genuinely listening to me, that there’s a good person I can learn from, even though we’re of different ages or stages in life. I feel that connection, and I hope that even after our project is finished, we’ll still meet and share meals together.”
In looking back at her stellar career, Magdangal acknowledged that she has always taken risks for the sake of growth but never thought of leaving showbiz.
“Instead, I always tell myself that whatever route I’m taking is the one that fits my age or my current status in life, especially after I became a wife and a mother.
“I’ve always been happy to be part of the entertainment industry. I may have tried different routes — which by the way are never bump-free — but I love my craft. I can’t specify the reason why I love it but I promise you, I’ll always be excited to take on different roles,” she ended.
Also starring Maricel Soriano, Edu Manzano, and Albert Martinez among other veteran and up-and-coming actors, Lavender Fields premieres first on Netflix on August 30. It’s free TV premiere, meanwhile, is set on September 2.
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