Gina Alajar finds joy in both acting and directing

IT has been 55 years since Gina Alajar first faced the cameras by way of the movie Kaibigan Ko’ng Santo Niño, produced by Lea Productions and directed by Armando de Guzman. Out of more than 300 applicants, the then 8-year-old Alajar bagged the role of Oreng, a feat that would see her pitting acting talents with the superstars of that era: Gloria Romero, Eddie Garcia and Luis Gonzales.

After countless roles in movies, television and even theater, Alajar has metamorphosed into a consummate actor, and she continues to fly high in whatever assignment she decides to take on, both as an actor and as a director.

For the last decade, Alajar has been churning out highly-rated series for GMA, averaging one or two per year. Among the more memorable shows she has helmed were Kirara, Del Tierro, Villa Quintana, Yagit, Let the Love Begin, The Half Sisters and most recently Prima Donnas, which ended on a very high note after being on air for two successful seasons.

In between directorial jobs, she’d accept acting roles. “I miss acting. That is why if I get the chance during lulls from directing TV drama series, I try to squeeze in acting jobs, most often in independent movies where work finishes in two weeks.”

And like the A-lister that she has always been, her outputs as an actress become inspiration for the younger generation of actors.

“I always tell those who ask me for advise: Do not ever believe your own hype. Never feel superior over your coactors. Never put in your mind that you are inimitable or infallible. The accolades, the screaming fans, the deafening applause, the number of likes and praise on your social-media accounts, all these are temporary,” she said, adding, “Everything goes in cycles. There will always be newer, fresher, more gifted, more beautiful, sexier discoveries that will surface. Always be thankful that you have a job. Always be grateful that you are in good health to be able to perform your job well. And always be your best when you perform these jobs entrusted to you.”

Alajar is happy that she was cast in the Philippine adaptation of the Korean hit series Start-up, playing the role of the grandmother of the two main female characters Dani and Ina, roles assigned to Bea Alonzo and Yasmien Kurdi. Her character will also be instrumental in helping the leading male character Tristan (played by Alden Richards) to lay the foundation of his dreams and aspirations. The original Korean halmoni (meaning grandmother) was beautifully essayed by Kim Hae-sook.

“Previous to this, I was always given villain characters on TV dramas. I’d often be seen as scheming, angry, grouchy but for this new series, I am the loving, tender, generous, solicitous, kind-hearted grandmother to my two granddaughters. It is a major shift for me playing a kind soul and quite a challenge, too, because I have to get really deep into my character’s core and even try to let my facial muscles relax so I’d look gentle and calm onscreen,” said Alajar, who is a doting grandma to eight lovely grandkids in real life. “I have six here in the Philippines and two are based in the US.”

She said that the Start-up team has been working at full speed because airing dates have been finalized by the network, and fans and followers of the Korean series are eagerly awaiting how this local adaptation will fare.

“We are all hyped-up and looking forward to a very good season,” she enthused, adding that her character’s name in the new series is Joy (ligaya in Filipino).

“After this, I won’t mind accepting another acting assignment right away if the role and the project are both promising. In the near future I’d also like to explore directing a film if there is a really good material. Let’s see. I find joy, meaning and fulfilment in both acting and directing.”