A Closer Look at Ditas

Ehra Madrigal successfully stole people’s hearts with her portrayal of the chic and sexy Brigitte in the 2007 primetime hit, Lupin. But the days when her seductive stares and mastery of knives did the trick of luring people are over as she becomes the lowly Ditas in Carlo J. Caparas’ Kamandag. Text by Jessa Ericka C. Bien Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio “Sobrang ibang-iba ‘to sa lahat ng soap na nagawa ko” Ehra tells iGMA in an interview during the show’s photo shoot. “Kung before, sa Lupin, kami [ni Katrina Halili] 'yung maarte tapos mayaman. Dito, parang heavy drama; first taping day pa lang, napaka-intense agad” she observes. “Unang eksenang kinunan namin, 'yung binubugbog 'yung mommy ko (played by Melissa Mendez), nilulublob [siya] sa palanggana tapos pinagsasampal ako. Tapos 'yung following scenes 'yung binobosohan ako habang naliligo, tapos 'yung rape scene” the young star narrates. So from the smooth and suave thief-instincts Ehra got used to in her previous primetime show, she becomes a poor rural lady who has too much drama in her life. “Sa first part ng story si Chard (Vergel) parang kapatid ko siya, although hindi talaga kasi ampon lang namin siya eh. Tapos after nun lumaki ako, hindi ko na siya kasama, mahirap [na] kami. Tapos 'yung mommy ko, battered wife siya; tapos ako, ginagantihan naman nung kinakasama ng mommy ko” she says. But it’s not all tears for Ditas in Kamandag as exciting and surprising things are bound to happen in her life. Ehra anticipates a rags-to-riches story for her character, and spills a little about a secret personality. “Unang-una, makikita nila 'yung transformation ng character ko. As in, hindi lang bastang mahirap na naging mayaman. Interesting siya kasi may pinanggalingan, [at malalaman mo] 'yung pinagdaanan niya” she shares. “Interesting din kasi baka maging half-snake din ako. 'Yun 'yung dapat abangan nila” she adds with a teasing smile. Something New for Ehra A self-confessed worrier, Ehra admits she initially had a hard time adjusting to her new role, but says her co-stars have been very helpful to her. “Actually I didn’t know na sobrang ganun ka-heavy drama 'yun. Akala ko [nga] nung araw na 'yun sobrang kakabahan ako, pero surprisingly, parang okay lang” she recalls. “Good thing na sobrang ang gagaling nung mga ka-eksena ko: sina Tita Melissa Mendez at Mon Confiado. Na-motivate nila ako kasi parang damang-dama nilang sobrang makatotohanan 'yung ginagawa namin” she shares. Ehra, likewise, is just fine with everything her character demands from her. “Okay lang naman sa’kin kahit anong role ang ibigay sa’kin. At least [it’s] something new for the viewers, para hindi rin sila magsawa na parang nape-peg lang ako kunwari as kontabida parati” she says. “Sobrang natutuwa [rin] ako” she adds. “Kasi ang biggest break ko pa lang naman, so far, 'yung Lupin eh. So eto, pangalawa [na]. Parang another challenge na naman [and] another blessing.” Kamandag is also Ehra’s second primetime show with the heartthrob >Richard Gutierrez, and she could not be more thankful. “Parang privilege na lang din ulit na maka-trabaho siya. [Kasi], sobrang lahat ng soap ni Chard, bigatin talaga. Parang makasama ka palang sa show nya so it’s a blessing itself” she says. Catch more of Ehra weeknights in the primetime hit, Kamandag, and Saturday nights in Nuts Entertainment. What do you think of Ehra? Tell other people what you think about her in the iGMA forums. Bond with Ehra through Fanatxt! Just send EHRA to 4627 for all telcos. Each message costs Php2.50 for Smart, Talk N Text, Globe and Touch Mobile subscribers and Php2.00 for Sun subscribers. This is available only in the Philippines.