The newfound friendship of Jean Garcia and Michelle aldana
IT is by chance that actors Michelle Aldana and Jean Garcia met each other on the set of the soon-to-air GMA drama series Nakarehas na Puso, but is by choice that they have forged a new friendship.
Aldana, a former Miss Asia Pacific titleholder who transitioned into a fine actress before resettling in South Africa where she lives with her family, believes that everything happens for a reason.
“I was supposed to start on another project last year but because of so many restrictions and multiple postponements within the production, my participation did not push through, and I had to fly back to South Africa. It was not easy to accept, but
I just lifted everything to the higher powers and affirmed that the universe knows what is best for me. And true enough, after only a few months, I got word from my manager that there is a new drama series for me, and after all the details were ironed out, I flew to Manila to start work on this new show that we are all so excited to present very soon.”
The series is Nakarehas na Puso, the next big offering of the top-rating GMA afternoon block, and Aldana takes on the role of the major villainess who will make life tough and exacting for the main protagonist, to be played by the celebrated Jean Garcia.
Aldana has good words for Garcia. “I know of Jean, watched her decades ago in that classic soap opera where she was the archrival of Eula Valdez, but we have never worked together. And our first scene together in this new show was highly-charged, so it was terrifying for me. I am just so grateful that Jean is such a giving actor, so generous and so compelling, that it made things go naturally smooth for me.”
Aldana added that Garcia, who has played the contravida in many past projects, gives her tips and pieces of advise. “I learn a lot from her. I also get to watch Jean in Lolong and she is so good playing bad!”
For her part, Garcia is also fond of her newfound friend. “Michelle is amazing. She is always prepared when she comes to the set. And she is calm, grounded and focused, traits that are rare nowadays. They say that this new show is Michelle’s comeback but who she is and what she gives to her character make every one feel that she never left being a good actor. I am just so happy we are working together on this show, and happier that I found a new friend in her.”
When Aldana left a promising career and moved overseas to raise a family, she made sure that she did not completely shut the door on acting. She seized opportunities, auditioned and was cast in shows that had Asian characters.
“I played a Chinese character in my last TV series. I feel lucky that while my husband Edward and I were raising our family, I was able to find ways to continue with my passion for acting, and he has always been supportive of me and my interests. I have all his blessings for this resurgence in my acting career in the Philippines. I am a very lucky and happy wife.”
Aside from being wonderful actors, both Aldana and Garcia fell in love with foreigners. Aside from her actress daughter Jennica, Garcia also has a handsome 20-year-old gorgeous half-japanese son, Kotaro, while Aldana has three lovely children: Dustin, Kai and Io.
“We talk a lot about our children on the set, and share stories about anything and everything. Ang sarap lagi ng kwentuhan namin ni Michelle, laging puso sa puso,” shared Garcia.
Happiness is when we make unexpected new friends, especially in an industry where true friendships are rarely established and sustained. Aldana believes that the great thing about new friends is that they bring new energy to the soul, and Garcia thinks that unexpected friendships can transform into the best ones.