Direk Gil's Challenge

Director Gil Tejada has been with a hit ‘Sine Novela’ one after the other. And with only a month’s rest after the high-rating finale of ‘Maging Akin Ka Lamang,’ he’s back with another soap to win the afternoon demographic: ‘Danny Zialcita’s Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan.’ Text by Jason John S. Lim. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. “Pabigat ng pabigat,” he says. Since Mga Mata ni Anghelita, Direk Gil Tejada has moved from one Sine Novela to another, starting with the surprise hit Pati Ba Pintig ng Puso, followed by Maging Akin Ka Lamang, and now Camille Prats’ first venture as a lead actress: Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan. The director reveals that he couldn’t be happier, having successive projects with GMA. And with each project he’s given, he delves deeper and deeper into the realm of heavy drama. “So definitely, magiging iba ‘yung atake ko doon sa mga eksena ko dito [compared] sa Maging Akin Ka Lamang. Magkakaibang levels ‘yun,” he says. The director also says that he trusts his cast: “I have a powerful cast, [and] at the same time, wonderful people sa trabaho. For me as a director, wala akong problem at all.” Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan is the first time that Marvin Agustin and Diana Zubiri will be working with Camille, and also the first time that the three will be undertaking roles that viewers have never seen them in. Or, in Marvin’s case, a role that viewers haven’t seen him in for quite a long time. “I’m excited,” Direk Gil reveals. “Plus the fact na may mga gimmick ako later on na ire-reveal.” He adds that while he’s worked with both Marvin and Diana before, this is the first time he’ll work with them together. He thinks that one of the reasons why the cast members jive so well is because of the openness and trust among them. On the set of the show, he explains that he has an open-door policy: “I promised then na I’ll help [them] in my capacity na pwede kong itulong. So anything na kailangan [nila] ako, just ask me. Anything.” But in the case of Camille, the director explains that he’s already keeping a close eye on her—but not because he doesn’t trust her to do well. “This is her first major mature role, plus the fact na medyo sensitive ‘yung topic, [kaya] kailangan ko siyang alalayan,” he relates. He says that the challenge is for viewers to see past Camille’s previous teenybopper roles: “So shift ng character. I want to come up with something different, na character ni Camille [pero] hindi si Camille.” So far though, Direk Gil discloses, Camille is delivering exceptionally well. He says that this is the first time they’re working together, so he had to see the way she acts and moves first. “Nung nakita ko [na], sinabi ko sa kanya ang gusto ko. [Sumusunod] naman siya.” See if Direk Gil was able to accomplish his challenge! Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan airs weekday afternoons after Magdusa Ka. Talk about your expectations for the show at the iGMA Forums! If you’re not registered yet, register now! You might even get the chance to talk to your favorite Kapuso star! Be updates with the latest chika from the stars themselves! Feel the fun of Fanatxt by texting MARVIN or CAMILLE to 4627! (Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK 'N TEXT, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. This service is exclusive to the Philippines.)