Why Ayen is amazing in Amaya

MANILA, Philippines - Ayen Laurel has been winning new fans and making loyal ones even prouder with her performance on GMA 7’s Amaya.

Amaya fans have followed closely and warmed up to Ayen’s character named Hara Lingayan, wife of Rajah Mangubat. Many note the masterful way Ayen channels a myriad of emotions — from jealousy and indignation to righteousness and benevolence. Critics praise her acting that seizes the moment when needed while playing it subtlety when others need to shine or in subservience to the story.

Ayen alternates between passive and bold, strong and vulnerable all in one package. 

A key to her effective portrayal is her dedication to stay in-character. From the way she wears her clothes and her elegant gait, up to the flick of her eyelids and the daintiness in her fingertips, viewers see nothing but royalty in Ayen’s essay of Hara Lingayan. Indeed, nothing is amiss with her royal highness whenever she appears on cam and it would be safe to say that no one else could have fit the role the way Ayen does.

 Even before the airing of the pilot episode of Amaya, Ayen had already talked about it in superlatives. She said that not only it has the biggest production in terms of budget for any GMA 7 series, but the series entails a lot of research to capture its historical authenticity and accuracy. Historians are being consulted on details of the show to ensure that Amaya  is true to its thrust.

The plot of the series, which involved pre-colonial setting in Central Visayas, required the production to build sets on various locations such as in Pangasinan, Batangas and Bataan. GMA 7 also financed the building of ancient warships to the tune of P2M per unit.

Ayen is proud to be part of such a high-profile and topnotch project.

“Amaya is demanding but you forget that when you see the results. It truly is one of the most beautiful Filipino TV series ever done,” she was quoted as saying.

 To her credit, Amaya is an original series meaning the portrayal of her character here has no template. It is all Ayen’s. 

Amaya airs weeknights on the GMA Telebabad block.