Cat Fight!

How does Ragona’s presence in Ambograw affect the previously only reigning queen of the underworld? Francine shares her thoughts on Sunshine Dizon’s inclusion on the hit telefantasya Kamandag. Text by Jason John S. Lim. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. In the creative team’s bid to explore the world of Ambograw more, a new and menacing threat was introduced in the form of Ragona (played by Sunshine Dizo). But instead of being one of the bad guys, Ragona actually terrorizes those who maltreat the denizens of Ambograw. “Hindi pa kami nagtutuos dalawa,” Francine Prieto points out when iGMA asks her about how it feels to be working with Sunshine again. But she does admit that she’s very happy with Sunshine’s addition to the cast. “Maganda na rin na dumagdag ‘yung mga tao sa Ambograw, kasi unti-unting nawawala eh!” Francine laughs. The actress also says that Sunshine’s character adds a new layer to the story playing out in Ambograw. “Para lalo pang gumanda ‘yung story doon sa ilalim.” But, Francine reveals, the creative team actually wanted to bring back Pirena (Sunshine’s character from Encantadia) instead of creating the new character of Ragona. “Ang problema, hindi pwede. Dahil nandoon ako, si Benjie Paras, si Rainier [Castillo]. [All of whom also played integral parts in the world of Encantadia before.] Kumbaga, parang maguguluhan ‘yung mga tao. “So ayun, ginawang Ragona na lang. At least, ibang hayop naman.” After how many months on air, Francine shares that she’s very happy with her current role. “Tuwang-tuwa ako sa character ko,” she continues, saying that she’s very comfortable with everything Reyna Kuran. “Kasi nakakatuwa siyang paglaruan eh.” This is, of course, after she went through her share of problems with the role—including finding out what a musang is. “Ni-research ko pa ‘yung musang! Kasi, ano ba talaga ‘yung musang?” Francine now knows what a musang, a wildcat, is. And she’s happier to report that she’ll continue purring her way into television sets everywhere as Kamandag has extended over its original planned run. Don’t miss the action-packed episodes of Carlo J. Caparas’ Kamandag every weeknight after another Caparas masterpiece, Joaquin Bordado. Afterwards, talk about the show and its cast at the iGMA Forums! If you’re not yet registered, register now ! You might even get the chance to talk to your favorite Kapuso star! Be more in the know on what’s going on with Francine’s character in Kamandag! Feel the Fun through Fanatxt by texting FRANCINE to 4627! (Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK 'N TEXT, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. This service is available only in the Philippines)