Superstar Nora Aunor is both happy and proud that she has a new project under GMA. With a working title Onanay, it will replace Kambal, Karibal once the supernatural drama wraps up after given another extension due to its consistently high ratings.
“I’m simply grateful to the Kapuso for giving me another good project. My last with them was Little Nanay in 2015. GMA has been supportive of me all these times. They would always give me good material. This is the reason why they’re my priority in accepting TV offers,” she admits.
The actress has already started taping for the soap which is under the helm of her fellow award-winning thespian Gina Alajar and stars Cherie Gil, Gardo Versoza, Wendell Ramos, Adrian Alandy and Mikee Quintos.
“It’s a nice experience working with Gina. We did numerous films in the past. She’s kind as well as the rest of the cast,” she says and adds, “We’re like one big, happy family on the set. We help one another in mounting the scenes. I’m glad that in my comeback soap, I’m with this cast.”
Asked about the clamor for her to become a National Artist considering her impressive contributions to the entertainment industry, the legendary screen icon humbly says that there are other people who deserve it more than she does.
“To be honest, it never occurred to me that I’ll become a National Artist. For me, if it’s really for you, then it will just come. There’s no guarantee that it will be given to you finally. I think, there are still those who are ahead of me in the ‘biz whose contributions cannot be underestimated and therefore deserves it more than I do.”
Meanwhile, depression and burn-out among celebrities are a hot issue in showbiz these days. Given her long tenure in the field, did she also experience it?
“Yes, there were phases in my career that I also felt such. First was when I lost my father whom I love so dearly. I really got depressed then. But what’s important is you learn to fight, go with the flow and continue living life to the fullest,” Ate Guy ends.
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Kyline Alcantara recounts that it wasn’t easy during her initial days as a GMA talent. As everyone knows, she’s originally from ABS-CBN and just moved to the Kapuso ground in the last quarter of 2017 after being cast as the main antagonist in the hit soap opera Kambal, Karibal.
“I was still new in the network then since for the longest time, I was with the rival camp,” she avers. “I guess, it was understandable during those times if I felt awkward. But all’s well now. I remarkably adjusted to my new environment.”
The young actress, who was part of ABS-CBN’s “Star Circle Quest’s Magic Circle of 10” years back and did the soaps Ina, Kapatid, Anak, Lumayo Ka Man sa Akin, Pangako Sa ‘Yo and Born For You feels grateful to her fellow young stars in current soap for making her feel at ease all the time.
“They welcomed me warmly and sincerely. I’m happy because I was able to build new friendships with them. They were the first ones to reach out to me since I’m basically shy. As days went by, we became more comfortable and closer with one another. I eventually warmed up to them,” she reveals.
She was a Kapamilya for seven years. How did she arrive to the decision of transferring to GMA?
“It was a hard decision to make. The good thing is that there’s no bad blood between me and ABS-CBN when I left. I’m vocal in saying that I owe them a lot. They are instrumental why I’m here in the ‘biz. I learned a lot from them; from the discipline they’ve instilled in me as an artist.
So I left with a light feeling.”
With the phenomenal success of Kambal, Karibal, Kyline is both grateful and excited.
“I guess it goes not only for me but to all of us who are involved in the production. The public’s support is tremendous. In fact, we were given another extension due to the clamor of the fans. I hope the viewers will continue to patronize us until the end.”