Prima Donnas young stars are at it again

If there were questions left unanswered in the previous (pre-lockdown) episodes of Prima Donnas, “resolutions” would be offered this time around. The drama series has begun airing new episodes. Jillian Ward, Althea Ablan and Elijah Alejo are again in the frontline to continue the Kapuso tradition of offering family tearjerkers in the Afternoon Prime block timeslot. With drama as genre, the Tres Marias will delight viewers and teach them a thing or two about life.

“Since quarantine, I started watching movies and TV shows,” said Jillian of ways to keep herself in acting tip-top shape in a recent virtual media call, “which made me feel more inspired, and attached (connected) to my job. I also watched a few episodes of Prima Donnas before we started filming again (to remain connected with my character). And with direk Gina (Alajar’s) help, it was easier for all of us to get back into our characters’ shoes.”

Just a quick recall: Jillian, Althea and Elijah play Donna Marie, Donna Belle and Brianna in the story. Aiko Melendez’s Kendra will do everything to get the approval of Jaime and Lady Prima (Wendell Ramos and Chanda Romero). Lilian (Katrina Halili) has vital information to share with Donna Marie, Donna Belle and Donna Lyn.

“In the past six months of not acting, hindi ko na alam kung magagawa ko pa ba siya dahil kakaiba itong character ko sa iba kong shows (I didn’t know if I could still play her, Donna Belle, because she was unique as compared to my other characters in previous shows),” said Althea. “So when I got the script, I took my time to read it (slowly trying to get to know my character again) and to internalize Donna Belle.”

For actors, “losing connection” with their characters is as real as getting lost in them. Elijah had the same predicament.

“Since six months din po kaming hindi nag-shoot, medyo nawala po ako sa pag-portray sa character (ko) dahil magkaibang-magkaiba po kami ng ugali (I did lose that connection with Brianna given the six months of not taping scenes for the show, she and I are different),” she said. “I reviewed my old scripts and watched my scenes in Prima Donnas to reconnect with Brianna. I also reviewed direk Gina’s notes about my character.” Then when GMA gave them the go-signal to resume work, (of course, following the safety health protocols), Jillian, Althea and Elijah were on their toes to essay their characters. By this time, they have fully recalled their “memories” about Donna Marie, Donna Belle and Brianna.

How was the experience like working on the “new normal” set?

“At first, my body was a bit inharmonious with it,” answered Jillian. “Gradually, I actually started liking it more than our old ways of filming. I think I got to feel my character a bit more since I played her every day for a month. And of course, I’m a bit exhilarated about it, actually. (I) won’t tell you why, that’s why you’ve got to watch our new episodes.”

For Althea, she considered it fun “because we were together, my Prima Donnas family. With my character, abangan natin kung tuluyan pa rin bang magiging tapang-tapangan si Donna Belle or tuluyan na siyang ma-be-brainwash ni Brianna (Let’s find out if she continues to put on a brave front and get brainwashed by Brianna.”

Elijah added that the lock-in taping allowed them to have bonding moments with Prima Donnas crew and cast during rest day, with strict observance of safety protocols.

“We made new (good) memories together,” she concluded. “Example po ‘yung pagpapa-swab po namin, paggawa po ng scenes na may social distancing and marami pa pong iba. As for my character’s personal narrative, (what) I can say is abangan po nila kung ano pong mangyayari kay Brianna once na malaman nilang hindi po siya totoong Claveria.”

(Watch Prima Donnas weekdays at 3:25 p.m.)