Destined for Drama

MANILA, Philippines - Since she was cast in the afternoon soap Una Kang Naging Akin, Maxene Magalona has never drifted away from drama. She seems to enjoy the heightened emotion and the physicality that come with it. In her acting book are three other dramarama sa hapon (Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat sa Akin, My Lover, My Wife and Trudis Liit). All became top-raters.

Veering away from her late dad’s musical career, Maxene is on her fifth tearjerker via GMA 7’s Pahiram ng Isang Ina airing weekdays after Eat, Bulaga! It is another drama test which Maxene faces head-on.

“I like it when I’m called the dramarama princess or the afternoon drama princess,” offers Maxene. “It’s no joke to have (drama) shows and make them rate. Drama has always been around. You know that Filipinos don’t lose interest in it. I’m happy to be assigned in drama.”

Coming straight from the out-and-out drama My Lover, My Wife, Maxene is bent on delivering another solid performance and not a repeat one. Yes, there’ll be no traces of her previous character.

“My Lover, My Wife was a love story,” she shares. “(Pahiram) is a family story. I’m happy that I’ve been given different shows. That means hindi magsasawa ang tao. Usually when you say drama, it’s a love story wherein two women are getting the attention of one man. Pahiram is totally different from my previous soaps. That’s why I’m excited about it. With Una Kang Naging Akin, my character was an underdog. In My Lover, My Wife, my wife role fought back. I feel pressured na parang paulit-ulit at baka pareho lang ang hitsura. I don’t like to think about it. The more I dwell on it, I feel I might not do well. I just go with the flow.”

Asked what kind of woman Maxene is playing this time around, she replies, “I’m a secretary-protégé of (Ms.) Carmina Villarroel. And I look up to her.”

Maxene with GMA 7’s Pahiram ng Isang Ina co-star Marco Alcaraz

In Pahiram ng Isang Ina, Maxene will work with her My Lover, My Wife leading man Marco Alcaraz for the second time and tween stars Bea Binene and Jake Vargas for the first time.

“It’s nice to know that Bea and Jake are professional,” she says. “It’s fun working with them. They are simple and natural. They are not showbiz… It doesn’t make me sad that I’m older than they are. They are new kids whom I can impart with what I know about (showbiz and acting) and share my experiences with. I can tell my stories, too.”

According to Maxene, doing drama is something she never planned. Remember: She started in the comedy Daddy Di Do Du and stayed there for six years.

“I think it was destiny,” she says. “It was meant to be that I was side-tracked to drama. Many think I have a glamorous life — that I’m spoiled and maarte. Not everyone knows what I have gone through in life. Knowing that helps me with my roles. I think it was meant to be, especially since my dad was a rapper. What I’m doing is totally different.”

How does Maxene keep herself on her toes each taping day?

“There comes a time when you get tired and the job is tough,” she answers. “After you go through that and see the end result, you feel happy and it feels great. You know, no pain, no gain. I think of the pressure, the hardship and the pain. Above all of that, I think about what I will feel after. That’s what keeps me on my toes. I’m thinking that these sufferings and sacrifices will lead to a better result.”

With her new acting assignment, Maxene can’t simply contain her happiness. But what makes her happier these days is the visibility of the younger Magalona siblings on TV.

“I’m very happy,” she says. “My grandparents were dancing loveteam mates then. My dad (was into music). I’m into drama. Frank is also into drama. Elmo is into dancing and drumming. Arkin has a new show Sabadabadog. Saab is doing contravida. I’m happy that we’re taking good care of our family name Magalona. We’re able to continue the legacy that Magalonas will forever be in show business. I’m sure I will encourage my kids to also try their hand at it.”