LaLola, a director's dream for Direk Jun Lana

For a director whom you can consider an upstart in the industry, Jun Lana has amassed a wealth of experience. Pero, with his stint in "LaLola," he describes the show and its success as a fresh surprise. Text by Erick Mataverde. Photo by Mitch S. Mauricio. In the set of LaLola's second unit, we find Direk Jun Lana, his usual busy self, the reason why the guy has a reputation of having well-organized tapings. iGMA.tv took the opportunity to find out from him how LaLola is faring: "From my own point of view, I think it is doing well. Na-achieve palagay ko 'yung mga si-net naming goals for the show and for certain stars, like for example Rhian (Ramos), parang na-achieve naman namin. Tapos naging endearing siya sa audience.
We were able to launch new leads, potential dramatic stars for a soap. Kaya na nilang itayo, si Rhian 'tsaka si JC (De Vera), 'yung love team nila kaya na nilang itayo. And yung genre niya is not common for a soap opera, which is really more funny than dramatic. But still, may audience pa rin pala siya." Sa umpisa, pakiramdam niya he was taking on uncharted waters. "I know that JC is a very good actor, but I wasn't too sure about the chemistry [between him and Rhian] at that time. Kasi hindi natin alam, until hinarap mo silang dalawa sa camera, hindi mo alam. Pero it worked! Nag-work yung love team nila and 'yun ang importante sa isang show," paliwanag ni Direk Jun. "We're really, really thankful. To be honest, ako, when I was writing the pilot, I gave it my all, but I was not sure how the audience would respond to it. And it was really surprising that immediately nag-warm up sila dun sa story," kuwento pa niya. With the show about to wind up, wala na siyang ibang maipakita kung hindi gratitude sa audience ng LaLola: "I'd like to thank them for helping us for being interested in the story, 'yun lang. Sobrang, sobrang pasasalamat ko." Log on to the iGMA Forums para malaman ang latest in showbiz happenings! Not yet a member? Register here!