Mother-daughter act

Jean Garcia is back to terrorizing protagonists onscreen as Madame Betty in "Impostora", a role that she plays with easy flair and flamboyance. But along with this kontrabida comeback is another treat: her daughter Jenica’s primetime debut. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Seventeen-er Jenica admits she has always wanted to act, but her mom did not give her the go-signal until after she graduated from high school. “Pagtapak ko ng 16 (years old), naka-set na sa mind ko na mag-aaral na ako talaga, e noong nag-graduate na ako, sabi niya, ‘Anak, baka gusto mo pang mag-artista?’” Although Jean was frank about being nervous at first, she describes the experience of seeing her daughter act as “very exciting, kasi it’s her first time, tapos mukhang interesado naman siya talaga and she’s having fun. (After her first taping), tuwang-tuwa siya, excited siya, and siguro mga two hours kaming nagkukwentuhan regarding her taping!” Tips from mom Does Jean give Jenica acting tips? “Yeah, mayroon siyang mga tinatanong, pero pinababayaan ko siya, e,” says Jean. “Like ‘yung first taping day niya, once ko lang siya tinawagan the whole day, para hindi siya ma-pressure. Hindi ko siya dinalaw sa set…malaki naman tiwala ko sa kanya na kaya niya…” Jenica agrees: “Si mommy, sa nakikita ko sa kanya, gusto niya akong maging independent. Iniiwan-iwan (nga) niya ako, e! Ako, ‘Ma...ma...’Wag mo akong iwanan!’ Siya, ‘Hindi, kaya mo ‘yan, sige, tumayo ka lang!’ Gusto niyang kayanin mo.” Acting alongside someone as talented as Jean Garcia is already a feat in itself, but what if you’re actually the daughter of the superstar? Jenica shares her thoughts on this. “Of course (I’m pressured). Lalo na pag nakakarinig ako, ‘Dapat galingan mo, kasi mommy mo, magaling!’ Naku! Sobra! Pero hindi naman maiiwasan ‘yun, lalo na ‘yung pag-compare…Hindi ko maiiwasan na makumpara kami ng mommy ko, (kasi) sino ba naman ako, di ba? Jenica Garcia – idikit ba naman kay Jean Garcia!” But the ever-humble newcomer delivers as expected, especially with her powerful first appearance as Yago’s (Mart Escudero) girlfriend, Karen Manansala. As a poor, unassuming girl who must work to support her studies, she accepts a job to pretend as Yago’s pregnant girlfriend even though it is against her better judgment. “Pinagpe-pray ko, and lagi kong sinasabi, makamit ko man lang, kahit kalahati ng achievements ng mommy ko, para maging proud naman siya sa akin,” Jenica says. Although the two still don’t have scenes together in Impostora, Jean is looking forward to acting alongside her daughter in the future. Views of a newcomer Jenica is still adjusting to her life as an actress and admits that she’s “naninibago,” adding that her mom didn’t bring her along to tapings before, so everything on a set is new to her. “At first natatakot ako kay direk (Maryo delos Reyes), kasi hindi ko naman alam kung ano nangyayari sa set, (like) blocking. ‘Anong blocking ‘yan?’” Jenica says with a laugh. “Pero ngayon, nandito na ako!” Jenica exclaims with a big smile, as if still convincing herself that it’s true. Aside from being her mom’s fan, Jenica also looks up to Sunshine Dizon and Iza Calzado, two of her Impostora co-stars. “Kahit po hindi ko sila kasama sa Impostora, sila po talaga (mga idol ko)!” Jenica may be playing a good girl-turned antagonist in Impostora, but what exactly does she want to portray in succeeding roles? “Ako naman po, kung ano ibigay ng GMA sa akin, game ako dun; I trust GMA-7 with all my heart po talaga.” She sums up, “I’m looking forward to the Jenica Garcia after Impostora. Kasi ‘yung first taping ko (pa lang), ang dami kong agad na natutunan e.” Watch out for Jean and Jenica in Impostora, weeknights after Mga Mata ni Anghelita! Para maging ka-Fanatxt nila, send JEAN or JENICA to 4627 to Feel the Fun! May favorite one-liners ka ba ng duo na ito? Talk about them in the iGMA Forum!