Underwater with Isabel Oli in Atlantika

GMA Network recently premiered its phenomenal and most ambitious primetime telefantasya to date, Atlantika, which marked another milestone in the history of Philippine television and is expected to follow in the footsteps of the epic series Encantadia, whose creators comprise the same team that brought this underwater fantasy to life.

It was most unfortunate that due to the power failure in many areas last week, a lot of viewers were unable to catch the premiere. This Sunday, October 8, viewers who missed the Atlantika premiere last October 3 shall have the much-awaited chance to witness how the mysteries of this mythical domed underwater domain began to unravel as GMA-7 replays the pilot episode due to insistent public demand. The pilot episode would air before SOP (during the My Name is Kim Sam Soon timeslot).

Atlantika comprises of today's talented young stars, led by Dingdong Dantes, Paolo Contis, Katrina Halili, Isabel Oli, Valerie Concepcion, and Iza Calzado. Adding to this list of popular young talents is a powerhouse ensemble of Philippine TV and movie industry's veteran and award-winning actors led by Ms. Celia Rodriguez, Jean Garcia, Cherry Pie Picache, Ariel Rivera, Gardo Versoza, Mark Gil, Pen Medina, and Mr. Rudy Fernandez in a very special role.

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In this short Q&A with Cebu's very own Isabel Oli (who plays Alona, who possesses the mysterious power of the moon and may be one of the two missing princesses of Atlantika), she talks about how she prepared for her role in Atlantika.

When did you start taping for Atlantika?

I started third week of September. I'll be playing Alona. That's my identity in the mortal world. We still don't know our Atlantikan identity. Even to us, the members of the cast, it's a secret.

So what have they told you about your character so far?

Alona is a servant in this certain family. She's kind, she helps her siblings. I'm not sure yet if I'm one of the missing princesses. Api-api yata ako dito.

When were you told that you would become part of Atlantika?

While I was doing I LUV NY. Share ko lang, actually dapat one week lang ako sa I LUV NY, that's what they told me, but my stint in the show was extended. (She played Wendy, Marvin Agustin's Albert's ex-girlfriend.)

Bumagay kasi sayo 'yung role.

But it was very hard for me. It took so much effort for it. It's very difficult to be kontrabida, and I don't like it.

How did you prepare for your role in Atlantika?

We had diving lessons for the underwater scenes. For the role of Alona, it's really simple, I did not need much preparation, it was just more on the swimming.

How many sessions have you taken already?

Siguro six na. I lack two more to get a license. But I have a phobia with swimming in large bodies of water, that's why medyo natagalan ako. 'Yung iba kasi three days lang OK na sila, nagda-dive na sila underwater.

How were you able to get over your fear of the water?

Sobra akong takot. Ewan ko kung ano'ng ginawa nung instructor ko noon, dinala niya ako sa baba, iyak lang ako ng iyak. Sa pool lang 'yun ha, hindi pa ako nakapag-dagat. One session for the open sea na lang then I'll have my license na.

But you already knew how to swim before?

I learned diving and swimming at the same time because I'm really not good at swimming.

Were you prepped to do fight scenes?

Siguro magkakaroon, but I don't really need much training for that since dati naman I had fight exercises na for Sugo.

Will we see a completely different Isabel here?

Yes, sobrang different. Sobrang api, but strong.

What is the biggest challenge for you in this role?

Diving under the sea, without oxygen or anything. And with your eyes open. I don't know if I can do it, but I'm working on it. And ngayon naman hindi pa naman sobrang kailangan 'yun eh.

How do you feel about it, that you're now one of the leading ladies of Dingdong, that you'll be pegged as a romantic pair?

It's easy lang siguro because Dong is very mabait. Very professional.

What do you think would make Atlantika a hit for the viewers?

It's the first series with so many underwater scenes, it's about an underwater kingdom. And the special effects and cast siguro, ang galing nila. The story is very nice and unique.