SINGER Rachel Alejandro is joining the cast of the Filipino adaptation of the hit BBC series “Doctor Foster.” The Philippine series is titled “The Broken Marriage Vow.”
According to an article in the Philippine Star, Alejandro is set to play the role of Nathalia Lucero, an aspiring beauty queen before she fell in love and is characterized as a socialite trophy wife.
Rachel is both excited and anxious to tackle the role, and watched the series with her husband.
“The very same day, my husband and I started binge-watching the show, and we were hooked from the first episode. We couldn’t believe how riveting it was,” she says, of getting the offer to join the series. “In the end, that was what convinced me to accept the offer, even if in the past I’ve not been inclined to seek work as a teleserye regular.”
“I know my way around the stage and have done a few films in the recent years, although I admit I’m a little nervous about TV acting because I haven’t done it for some time, unlike some of my teleserye veteran actor cast mates. But I’m up for the challenge, especially now that it seems live concerts may not return soon here in the Philippines,” Alejandro added.
Of the role, Rachel says she will try her best to make Nathalia Lucero into a well-rounded character, a mother who people may yet sympathize with even as she is the mom of Lexy Lucero, the character in the series who has a secret affair with the husband (David Ilustre, played by Zanjoe Marudo) of Dr. Jill Ilustre (played by Jodi Sta. Maria).
“Nathalia is charismatic, funny and used to getting her way because she easily charms people,” Rachel explains. “She sometimes bumps heads with Lexy but she is nonetheless a caring and protective mother. Mother and daughter bond over shopping.”
Rachel is excited to apply the techniques that she learned while taking acting classes in the U.S., which included Master Class video acting courses by Helen Mirren, Natalie Portman and Samuel L. Jackson.
“When it comes to building believable characters, one of the best critiques I’ve heard from an instructor is that I am the type of actor that always shows up extremely prepared because I like to get things exactly right. That’s a good thing but that won’t necessarily wow an audience or make you ace an audition,” she was quoted as saying in the article. “He told me not to be afraid to explore, make mistakes, even make a fool of myself if I had to, because if you’re playing it too safe, you’re probably not going to be very memorable. So basically, go big or go home!”
And going big is certainly what Rachel will be doing – and that means changing her looks for the part and, perhaps, going blonde.
“It’s relevant to the story. Since the character I’m playing is very fashion-forward and figure conscious, I eat low-carb meals from my health food business, The Sexy Chef. It will be so much fun to dress up as Nathalia because as direk Connie (Macatuno) envisions her, parang lagi siyang nakabihis for an event. Come to think of it, that sounds a lot like my mom, Myrna!” Rachel narrated, even as she mentioned that her biggest inspiration to join the series is her Lola Nena who loves watching ABS-CBN teleseryes.
Aside from the “The Broken Marriage Vow,” Alejandro is also set to record a full album to be released later this year.
* * *
And, on the other side of the coin, GMA Artist Center talent Andrea Torres is anticipating that the last two quarters of 2021 will bring her projects that will once again test her acting skills, according to an item in the Philippine Star.
Andrea is set to play the role of Diane San Luis Makadatu in “Legal Wives,” where she plays one of the wives of Maranao royalty Ismael Makadatu (to be played by Dennis Trillo).
According to Andrea, her character is the only Christian among the wives (the other wives will be played by Alice Dixson and Bianca Umali), and is conflicted by the situation and also loving her husband and wanting things to work out.
Explaining that her character, Diane, needs time to adjust to the unique circumstances of her marriage and the culture, Andrea says conflicts arise when “what’s happening in the couple’s life contradicts with what they had agreed upon.”
As each of the wives claim stake their legal claims and rights, Andrea says that will make for big scenes between the major characters in the series.
The Kapuso actress also says that the series may become an eye-opener for some as it will tackle polygamy, which is accepted in some cultures.
Photo from Instagram/@paologumabao
“It’s hard for us to understand it because we grew up differently. Sanay po tayo na isa lang talaga,” Andrea says. “Although through this soap, I’ve learned that it is a (form of) selfless act. Kumbaga parang kapag may babae na ngangailangan, kunyari na biyuda siya or na-rape siya, parang it’s a way of saving or helping the person. May deeper meaning (ito).”
The challenge for Andrea, she thinks, is how to make viewers understand where her character is coming from so she doesn’t seem villainous.
The “Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga” lead star also addressed rumors about a sitcom in the works that will pair her with John Lloyd Cruz.
“I haven’t received any official announcement from GMA regarding that,” she answered. “Talagang narinig ko lang din sa mga kwento-kwento, sa mga news. Ang hirap i-claim, di ba? Lagi nga nilang sinasabi kapag wala pang-storycon, wala pang taping, mahirap i-claim, but I was happy when I heard about it. I’m a fan of John Lloyd and I haven’t done a sitcom.”
“Talagang bet ko ring matuloy, it’s rare to get this kind of opportunity. Nagulat tayong lahat na pwe-pwede na yung ganito, pwede mo nang makatrabaho si John Lloyd, si Bea (Alonzo). Definitely, kapag naibigay po sa atin, magiging very happy talaga (ako),” she added, while saying that a sitcom will give viewers a chance to see her bubbly side.
Andrea feels that although she it has been more than a decade since she became a Kapuso, she still needs to do justice to every role she portrays. She also admits to always feeling the pressure when it comes to acting as she always wants to level up in her every performance.
“I always feel it,” Andrea revealed. “I use it (instead as my inspiration) to give a better work, mas maganda pang outcome. Whatever that is assigned to me, I should play it (well and deliver).”
