At first glance, Kylie Padilla’s new television character is fun and exciting – a determined young woman finding her own place under the sun. But behind the colorful character that she portrays are challenges that she had to overcome to make her performance honest, realistic, and believable.
In Bolera, Kylie plays Joni, a billiard prodigy who is gifted with visual and spatial intelligence. She’s a trailblazer – one who challenges the norms of society and shows the world that women can also excel in a man’s world.
The 29-year-old actress admitted that she didn’t know how to play the sport, and that’s one of the biggest challenges she had to deal with playing Joni, who is described as a left-handed player.
“I’m so happy that the management gave me this project as my comeback show ko kahit hindi ako marunong mag-billiards. Nung sinabi sa akin na kaliwete si Joni, I took the challenge, I said okay, let’s go, let’s try. Mahirap siya nung una kasi I’m a right-handed person,” she explained.
Just like in her previous television assignments, Kylie didn’t waste any time learning the character. She took everything seriously and was open to feedback. She considers the people around her instrumental in portraying the role as believable as possible.
“I took everything into account, I trusted na kaya natin ‘to. Nung pinapanood ko naman ang ganda. Thank you everyone for helping me to get the character right, to get the form right,” she carried on.
Adding more color to Kylie’s character in the series are her leading men Rayver Cruz and Jak Roberto. Rayver takes the role of Miguel, a handsome and competitive billiard prodigy who will eventually become Joni’s opponent; while Jak is Toypits, Joni’s neighbor and childhood friend who has always had feelings for her.
Making the series more interesting is a stellar roster of artists composed of Gardo Versoza as Marco “Cobrador” Santos, a billiard master who has no qualms resorting to underhanded tactics just to win; Joey Marquez as Freddie Roldan, a seemingly grumpy man who will become Joni’s mentor in the sport; Al Tantay as Joma, Joni’s father, and a former billiard champion; and Jaclyn Jose as Tessa Fajardo, Joni’s loving mother who will do anything for her family.
Also starring in this original series are Via Veloso as Marla, the owner of the billiard bar that Joni works at; Sue Prado as Roma, Toypit’s mother who will unravel a dark secret; David Remo as Tres, Joni’s supportive brother; Ge Villamil as Kikay, Tessa’s close friend; Luri Nalus as Pogi, Cobrador’s sidekick.
Bolera, airing after First Lady on GMA Telebabad. is under the helm of esteemed directors Dominic Zapata and Jorron Lee Monroy.