Kilig overload with JaDine

MANILA, Philippines - It is not often that a primetime TV series can send the young and the young-at-heart giddy over the story of a boy meets girl under one complex situation, which draws them closer and, later on, makes them fall in love with each other. That kind of story works wonders for James Reid and Nadine Lustre, making their team-up JaDine more popular as televiewers continue to tune in night after night to On The Wings of Love (OTWOL).

The series’ past episodes can also be viewed on iWant TV, the free online catch-up service of ABS-CBN, which made the show a hit with more Pinoys worldwide. In fact, it garnered a whopping 3.7 million page views in September alone. Even OTWOL collectible items are selling like hotcakes. James shared that the scrapbook — initially released with 10,000 copies —was sold in just one day and is now on its second printing.

“It’s overwhelming, it’s a new feeling. I never experienced anything like this before because this is our first teleserye and ang daming Otwolistas, achieve na achieve,” said James.

For her part, Nadine said, “I don’t know why but until now I feel nervous perhaps because I want more people to appreciate the show; na mas marami pa pong kikiligin at manonood so super happy lang po (kami) talaga.”

Fans of JaDine’s first TV series, also known as the Otwolistas, can now start jumping up and down with joy because the ABS-CBN primetime TV series will be running until February 2016. This, Dreamscape Entertainment head Deo Endrinal revealed during the OTWOL media day held last Monday. That indubitably guarantees a kilig overload as the story of JaDine’s characters Clark and Leah, respectively, unfolds in the coming days until Valentine’s Day of next year.

The announcement also made James and Nadine visibly happy and both profusely thanked viewers for the overwhelming support they have been getting these days.

“Even the OFWs (Overseas Filipino Workers) are watching. We do it really for the love because they (televiewers) feel in love and they believe in love again so thank you,” said James.

“‘Yung mga lolas din, nafe-feel din nila na bumabata ulit sila even my lola po watches. We’re truly happy that we are able to make a lot of people smile and feel so in-love again.”

With co-star Albie Casiño, who completes the love triangle in the teleserye. Photos by ALLAN SANCON

Although it is no secret that their onscreen romance does not extend off-cam, many are still hoping for them to be real-life sweethearts.   

“It’s our choice to focus on our work and we’re really friends so working together is good and we don’t want to spoil it,” said James on staying friends with Nadine.

Nadine agreed and added, “We don’t want to complicate things because what if magkaroon kami ng away or something, mahirap po magtrabaho ‘pag ganun.”

But they admitted to also feeling thrilled over their sweet scenes, especially those that require them to give each other sticky-as-glue glances and a kiss on the lips. Their being comfortable with each other helped brush off, if there’s any, awkwardness in the air.

“Nadine is maalaga, she’s always asking me to eat; she’s always asking me if I’m okay,” James shared.

“Is James boyfriend material? Yes, he is. Ako po emotional kasi ako not just as Leah but also in real life so most of the time parang tahimik lang po ako at si James po ‘yung laging nagpapatawa sa kin,” Nadine related.

Still, the two prefer to concentrate on their respective careers first and just wait and see if love will blossom in the future.

 “Mahirap po kasi talaga for us to combine work and love, especially on my part na very emotional at very sensitive po ako,” Nadine said.

Going back to the show, televiewers will see in the coming days how Clark, who followed Leah in the Philippines, will convince Tatay Sol (Joel Torre) that he only has pure intentions for Leah. He will take on the challenge of showing his love by working hard through the Filipino tradition of panunuyo.

On The Wings of Love, directed by Antoinette Jadaone and Jojo Saguin, airs weeknights after Pangako Sa ‘Yo.