From rags to riches

As the Kapuso Network relives a dramatic tale of two people from different worlds in its Sine Novela presentation, Pati ba Pintig ng Puso? , the challenging role of Jenna, previously portrayed by Sharon Cuneta, goes to Yasmien Kurdi . Text by Jessa Ericka C. Bien. Photos courtesy of Mitch S. Mauricio and GMA Network. “(Noong) una parang hindi ako naniniwala kasi nakakagulat (at) biglaan,” Yasmien says on how she reacted when she first learned about her new project. “Tapos syempre, happy at flattered ako (kasi) ako ‘yung napiling gumanap na Jenna.” Jenna is an innocent, young servant who falls for her handsome master Aldrin Griego( JC de Vera ). Her mother, Rosa (Jennifer Sevilla), has repeatedly discouraged her from loving him, but Jenna refuses to do so. She thus endures the all hurt when Aldrin himself makes fun of her. But naïve as she may be, Jenna is a determined individual who knows how to defend herself from the cruelty of the authoritative Don Griego (Eddie Gutierrez), the conceitedness of her sister Claire (Arci Muñoz) and the insults of Agatha (Karel Marquez), her rival to Aldrin’s heart. Jenna has always fantasized of Aldrin, and her dreams one day become reality when he proposes marriage to her. Despite the conditions dictated by their contractual wedding, she continues to love Aldrin wholeheartedly and hopes that someday, he will love her back. Becoming Jenna Yasmien admits there is pressure to act as good as, if not better than, her predecessor, but she does not let this affect her performance. Instead, she uses this as a motivation to give her best. She is also keen on making Jenna her own, so as to avoid being compared to the Mega Star. “Syempre, nakaka-tense kasi (may) pressure nga po. Nakaka-nerbyos 'yung comparison kasi Sharon Cuneta is the Mega Star na, talagang magaling po siya. Siguro, I’ll act it my way. Sabi nga ni Direk, hindi naman kailangang i-imitate si Ms. Sharon. Kailangan meron kaming own style,” she says. As part of her preparation for the role, Yasmien admits to viewing the film. “Nag-iba 'yung story kasi para talaga ‘to sa isang season,” she observes. And because director Gil Tejada wants an “uninfluenced attack” from his stars, the lead actress says, “nakikinig ako sa mga sinasabi ni Direk sa ’min.” She also reveals that aside from the director’s guidance, she has personal acting coaches who help her perform well. Yasmien says she already finds it easier to do dramatic roles, especially following her portrayal of Charming in the hit primetime show Bakekang . Given the chance, however, she says she would love to “try and experiment on different roles para hindi nakakasawa.” You can also view snapshots of Yasmien through these photo galleries: Pati-Ba-Pintig-ng-Puso-on-TV Yasmien’s second album Yasmien at GMA’s Station ID Got something to say about Yas? Then voice it out in the iGMA forums ! Feel the fun with Yasmien through Fanatxt! Just send YASMIEN to 4627 for all telcos. (Each message costs P2.50 for Globe, Touch Mobile, Smart and Talk N’ Txt subscribers; and P2.00 for Sun subscribers.)