Miss Asia Pacific 1993 Michelle Aldana returns as actress via GMA's upcoming teleserye "Nakarehas Na Puso."
There, she'll play antagonist to Jean Garcia's character.
During a recent virtual media conference, Michelle talked about sharing the screen with Jean.
She said in jest: “It’s an honor na masasampal at masasabunutan ko si Miss Jean Garcia."
Turning serious, she added it was actually "terrifying" for her at first, admitting she has limited experience doing such onscreen.
"Hindi pa ako nakipagsampalan nang ganyan," she related. "The last time yata na nakipagsampalan ako was with Miss Sharon Cuneta (via 1997 film "Wala Nang Iibigin Pang Iba")."
“Itong si Miss Jean Garcia ay pinapanood ko nga yung 'Lolong' at saka napanood ko siya dati as Claudia," she added, referring to the latter's Claudia Buenavista role in the 2000 drama series "Pangako Sa 'Yo."
Though she was nervous, Michelle is thankful that Jean has been supportive.
“Tinuruan niya ako kung papaano hindi kami magkakasakitan at kung papaano namin madadaya sa kamera...," she pointed out. "So, I’m really really grateful kasi talagang I feel I’m in safe hands."
In the same interview, she was asked what made her say yes to "Nakarehas Na Puso."
“Marami naman mga project na ipinapasok dati pa, pero nang ibigay sa akin ito, nabasa ko yung synopsis. Nakita ko yung role. Sabi ko, ito na talaga. It’s very challenging kasi hindi pa ako nakaarte ng isang kontrabida na sobrang kontrabida, and this is my first teleserye," she said. “Noong umalis ako, telemovies pa lang. Tapos ito, ang haba. Makikita mo talaga ang back story ng bawat karakter. So, sabi ko, gusto ko ito. Maganda ito, subukan na natin."
"At saka time na rin kasi malalaki na rin yung mga anak ko. Pupuwede na akong magpabalik-balik. Meron talagang time sa lahat at ito na siguro ang oras," she added.
Asked if she's planning to return for good, Michelle is non-committal.
“I look back kasi kailangan naman natin makita yung history para matuto tayo, pero I always take one step forward at nakatingin ako sa hakbang ko. Sa present moment muna ako. Titingnan ko muna at ini-enjoy ko. We’re still taping. Marami akong natututunan.”
Note that despite moving to a foreign country, Michelle was able to continue doing some acting, starring in some projects in South Africa.
Recall that a year after her reign as beauty queen, Michelle began her career as an actress with her debut role in Fernando Poe Jr.’s movie titled “’Hindi Pa Tapos Ang Laban.”
Her acting skills was recognized by critics when she took on the role of Karen in Tikoy Aguiluz’s film “Segurista.”
She left the Philippines in 1998.
She was first based in Germany before she relocated to South Africa, where she raises three kids with second husband Edward Burke, a British-South African.