Better than Before

For the young audience of GMA, Gina Alajar is the veteran actress in shows such as Mahika, Asian Treasures and recently, in the remake of Sinasamba Kita. Now, she is back to revive the classic role of Metring in the Sinenovela version of Pasan Ko ang Daigdig. Text by KC M. Abalos. Promo photos courtesy of GMA Network. Looking Back Ms. Gina Alajar started her acting career as early as the 60’s. But it was during the eighties with films such as Marilou Diaz-Abaya’s Moral, Ishmael Bernal’s City After Dark, Laurice Guillen’s Salome and Lino Brocka’s Orapronobis that she became immortal. With these roles, she cemented her status in the local showbiz scene as a true talent, winning countless awards. In recent past, she has also delved into directing like in the television series Narito ang Puso Ko and Hawak Ko ang Langit, as well as in the film, Angels (Angel of Mine). She was once married to Michael de Mesa and is the mother to Ryan, Geoffrey, and AJ. Does she give advice to her sons who are also in showbiz? “I’m very frank with them. Pero I see their work not as a whole but in details, you know? If they’re good in this scene I tell them and if they’re bad in one scene I tell them too. If they’re bad in all the scenes I tell them, you suck! You know? I tell them kailangan patunayan nila na mahusay sila umarte. Ngayon kung hindi nila sundin ‘yan its not my problem anymore?” Bringing Back Metring What is the most difficult part in reviving a classic character? “I think the challenging part is they tend to compare the original and the remake, 'di ba? And sasabihin nila, ay mas maganda 'yung original. It’s like a book. ‘Pag nabasa mo iyung libro kapag ginawang pelikula sasabihin the book is better.” In Pasan Ko ang Daigdig, Ms. Gina plays the mother of Lupe (Yasmien Kurdi). This was originally portrayed by Loretta Marquez. “Loretta Marquez is very fragile. I can interpret it (Metring) in the way that I want to interpret it, 'di ba? Kasi this is 20 years later and iba na iyong character ng mga babae ngayon kaysa sa 20 years before.” She adds that the way to handle the challenge is, “prove that the way that you attack the role is better than the original!” Watch Ms. Gina Alajar become Metring in Pasan Ko ang Daigdig in GMA’s Dramarama sa hapon. Talk about Pasan Ko ang Daigdig in the forum!