After five successful episodes of “Mars Ravelo’s Darna” of ABS-CBN Entertainment, praises for Iza Calzado as Leonor (the first Darna) and Jane De Leon (as the present generation Darna) went trending on social media.
One of the reasons that kept the audience glued on the series is the development of Valentina's character played by comebacking actress Janella Salvador, who revealed that her mom Janine Desiderio (who also played Valentina in the stage musical version of Darna several years ago) is a big inspiration in portraying the character.
“Siguro sa nanay ko rin. Kasi matapang rin ang nanay ko and I guess that’s one of the quality I loved about my self. Well the people around me were obviously afraid for me, and maraming nag-plant ng ganun sa utak ko na, ‘baka di kana maka-balik. Nanay ka na’, pero ako kasi, firm believer ako na you can do whatever you want to do, even if you’re a mom. It doesn’t matter naman. Kaya mo pa rin naman gawin as long as, gugustuhin mo so was determined talaga,” said Janella.
As for her actual preparations in playing the great villain, Janella said that she took everything seriously.
“Pinaghandaan ko talaga siya. It's one of the most challenging roles I’ve ever had to portray, kasi nga napaka complicated niya. With Doctora Belo, nagpa-liposuction ako, and of course nagwork out ako ng malala after nun, para mas mapabilis din ang weight loss."
And as a new mom, being away from her son for the lock-in shooting is a great thing to handle. “Actually challenge talaga siya kasi, I really have to make a sacrifice kasi pag naka-lock in kami hindi ko masaydong nakikita si Jude, pero iniisip ko na lang na ginagawa ko lahat ng ito para sa kaniya, Siguro ‘yung priorities ko, lahat ng ginagawa ko is for Jude, and mas na-inspire ako na magtrabaho, to work hard kasi nga mayroon na akong anak, and hindi ko lang to ginagawa para lang sa sarili ko, kundi para kay Jude."
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Last Aug. 13, the trainees of “Top Class” took it to another level by performing BGYO’s “Tumigitil ang Mundo” in three different versions as their practical exams.
The episode also revealed the two wildcard trainees that will be back in the competition. Mentors KZ, Shanti, and Brian Puspos chose Dean to be back, while Niko was chosen by the kumunity.
In the live eliminations with Campus Jock Albie Cansiño, he announced that for the grand finals, the trainees will have collaboration performances with P-pop groups VXON and 1st.one.
The trainees will also have a chance to perform the P-pop versions of Mr. Pure Energy, Gary Valenciano's songs: "Hataw Na '' and"Sa Yaweh ang Sayaw".
The viewers should watch out for the Top Class Finale on Aug. 20 at 5 pm live at the PETA theater in Quezon City, and on Kumu and TV5. For viewers outside of the Philippines, the show is also available to watch on iWantTFC and Myx Global.