Why Michelle Aldana decided to return to Philippine showbiz

Michelle Aldana is a Pinay in South Africa and has acted in TV series there. The beauty queen-turned-actress continues her love for essaying roles in the Philippines, where it all started for her, as Doris in the upcoming GMA Afternoon Prime family drama series, Nakarehas Na Puso.

Given her unique position as someone, whose family and work are based abroad and who has resumed an acting career here that was put on hold 24 years ago, the 1993 Miss Asia Pacific agreed that she is now “an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) in the Philippines.”

“I can now do a teleserye about OFWs,” said she in a recent virtual press conference. “I know now the feeling of being away from one’s family. Ang hirap, hirap pala talaga.”

However, her Doris is not a woman who has left the country for greener pastures, but a financially independent one, who wishes to get the man she deserves. The character’s intention becomes the reason for another woman’s misery. Getting into the psyche of Doris is both interesting and challenging for Michelle.

“It’s very challenging, hindi pa ako naka-arte ng isang kontrabida na sobrang kontrabida (I haven’t played a very mean kontrabida),” said Michelle of her role and the reason for saying yes to it. “Marami namang mga projects na pinapasok dati pa (Many projects have been pitched to me before), but when this was given to me and after I read the synopsis and I saw the role, sabi ko, ‘Palagay ko, ito na talaga yung role.’ This is my first teleserye. When I left showbiz, we were into telemovies. This is longer (as compared to a telemovie) and you will see the back story of every character. So, sabi ko, ‘Gusto ko ito. Maganda ‘to. Sige subukan na natin.’”

Besides the irresistible character, Michelle does miss the local entertainment scene.

“It’s one of the reasons why I came back, sabi ko, na-miss ko talaga. Sabi ko sa manager ko, ‘Alam mo, isa lang. subukan lang natin (You know, just one project. I want to give it a try).’ Gusto ko lang matikman ulit (na) umarte sa Pilipino, iba kasi yung acting mo sa Pilipino, mas feel mo, nang gagaling talaga dito sa puso (I want to experience again what it’s like to act in Pilipino, which is different (from acting abroad) because you really feel that it comes from the heart).”

Michelle’s wish was granted with Doris, who, at the start of the drama, is cordial with Jean Garcia’s Amelia, a depiction of a selfless, hardworking mother, and later on, reveals her true colors. The actress is grateful to director Gil Tejada Jr. and fellow actors in helping her understand the character’s context and playing the part, based on how Doris has been envisioned.

Michelle’s character is different from her roles in South Africa. The actress recalled that she played a gold digger in her first TV series, The Wild, and a Chinese immigrant in Generations: The Legacy.

Working in a Filipino (lock-in) set, Michelle has discovered and reacquainted herself with its unique practices in terms of acting and production.

“When you do an afternoon (show), kailangan pala mataas ang emotion, so kailangan talagang marami kang energy (you, as an actor, need to have high emotion in playing the role and it requires more energy),” said she, who is also familiar with the subtle kind of acting and a regimented way of taping scenes in her second home.

Her acting stints tell her that TV shows done here and abroad have the same blocking approach and the cast and crew are close to each other. Michelle’s new insights about doing a Primetime Afternoon series put her always in learning mode.

“The reason why I’m really enjoying this project is because I’m learning a lot, not just about the technical aspects, not just about acting, but also about the people,” said she. “When you meet people, you learn from them and I’m so grateful.”

Aside from her comeback project, Michelle was also asked about her secret in maintaining a youthful appearance and the beauty queen aura.

Her answer was: “Love is the secret, masaya kasi ang pamilya, masaya yung sa asawa, sa anak (I have a happy family, I’m happy being with my husband and kids), magaan. Kapag magaan, kamukha ng trabaho namin dito, nakakabata. Maganda yung feeling.”

Although the narrative of Nakarehas Na Puso will unfold on Sept. 26 airing after Return to Paradise, everyone is also curious about Michelle’s follow-up project.

“(For now), nasa present moment muna ako, titignan ko muna (I just focus on the present) and I enjoy what I have now. We’re still taping,” said she. “Marami akong mga natututunan (I’m learning a lot) and I’m really enjoying those (learnings), so, ito muna, present muna (I’m just focused on this).”