Herlene Budol plays lead in GMA's upcoming series 'Magandang Dilag' (Facebook)

Actress and Binibining Pilipinas 2022 1st runner Herlene Budol has clarified the issue of being the cause of the delay in the filming of her series "Magandang Dilag." During the press conference of her upcoming show at Studio 6 on GMA Network last June 17, Herlene clarified that it was unavoidable that she had other commitments, but she said that everything was arranged as it should be. "Hindi naman po natin maiiwasan yung mga ganung bagay, dahil syempre  schedule na yung mga naunang commitment. Pero give and take naman po  kami sa mga taping schedules, and yung ibang lakad. Yung nasa outside world na tapings, obligasyon din naman yun," Herlene said. (We can't avoid such things because the previous commitments are scheduled. But we give and take between taping and my other working schedules. The tapings outside my work are also an obligation.) Herlene pointed out that there was no issue at all when it comes to the schedule of taping the series. "Wala naman pong issue. Hindi ko alam kung saan nangggaling ‘yung mga laging write-up tungkol sa akin. Pero happy po ako, salamat po ng marami sa mga nagra-write up po sa akin. Good or bad, publicity is still publicity,” she said. (There is no issue at all. I am curious to know where those who constantly write up about me come from. But I'm happy, thanks to the many people who write about me. Good or bad, publicity is still publicity)   Despite her tight schedule, Herlene took on the challenge of balancing her everyday work. Aside from her recent project with GMA, she also joined the 2023 Miss Grand Philippines beauty pageant which will be held in July. "Pinagsasabay ko po, kapag walang taping, nagrerehearsal po kami, nagpapasarela training, pinagsasabay ko po para mas maganda yung outcome ng performance ko sa pageant," she added.  (I coordinate when there is no taping, and we rehearse and do runway training. I coordinate so that the outcome of my performance in the pageant will be better.) 

Making her big break

Taking the lead on her first drama series, Herlene can't help but feel emotional as she thanks GMA Entertainment for giving her the project. "Nabigla din po ako kasi, kung hindi po dahil sa kanila hindi ko po magagawa lahat ng ito, kasi tinulungan po nila ako lahat, and ginaguide po nila ako, kaya thank you po sa inyo," Herlene said.  This will  also be Herlene's first time to work with two of the most powerful actresses in the industry: Sandy Andolong as Luisa and Chanda Romero as Sofia. 

The cast and director of 'Magandang Dilag' (Facebook)

  Asked about Herlene's performance on set, the two joined forces to complement how good Herlene is on set.  "She’s so eager to learn. She’s so eager to be a good actor. Eager siyang magkaroon ng maganda at maayos na pangalan sa sarili niya, plus the fact na alaga niya yung pamilya niya," Sandy said. (She's so eager to learn. She's so eager to be a good actor. She is eager to have a good and proper name for herself, plus the fact that she takes care of her family)  On the part of Chanda, what she likes about Herlene on set is respecting their time as actors and their craft.  "I love her also because she respects her colleagues. She respects our time, our efforts. She knows that this is a craft. Hindi talaga ako mahihirapan sa kanya," Chanda added.  (I love her also because she respects her colleagues. She respects our time, and our efforts. She knows that this is a craft. I didn't had a hard time working with her)  Playing the role of Gigi, her story follows a woman who may not have the best looks but has the most optimistic attitude toward life. Her character will face a turnaround of events when she inherits enormous wealth from her estranged father, Joaquin, which Al Tantay will play.  Aside from Herlene, she will be joined by Sparkle's leading man Benjamin Alves as Eric and the highly-talented actor Rob Gomez as Jared. The cast includes Adrian Alandy, Maxine Medina, Bianca Manalo, Angela Alarcon, Prince Clemente, and Jade Tecson.  "Magandang Dilag" is under the helm of esteemed director Don Micheal Perez. Get ready as the fans witness Herlene take on sweet revenge on June 26 at 3:25 pm on GMA Afternoon Prime and Pinoy Hits.