TV

Gina Alajar reveals plan for Sofia Pablo's character in 'Prima Donnas'

By Aaron Brennt Eusebio

Prima Donnas director Gina Alajar expressed her sadness as she opened up about Sofia Pablo's exit from the show.

Sofia was unable to join the show's lock-in taping in strict compliance with the Department of Labor and Employment guidelines that children below 15 years old are not allowed to work.

Sofia is only 14 years old and will be turning 15 in April 2021.

Direk Gina said in Aiko Melendez's latest vlog, “I want to take this opportunity to clarify things kasi maraming [nagtatanong] about [kay] Sofia, kung bakit hindi na natin kasama.”

“Well, the decision para mawala si Sofia sa show is not ours kasi kung kami ang masusunod, ayaw namin because Sofia is part of the show and we all love her.

“But then, mayroong mga kailangan kaming sundin na rules from DOLE na 14 years old and below cannot work outside from home.”

In a statement released by GMA Entertainment Group last September 26, the production said they have no choice but to comply with the guidelines of the Department of Labor and Employment.

GMA Entertainment Group's Statement on Sofia Pablo.


Sofia, in an interview with 24 Oras, clarified that she has no ill feelings towards the decision of the program and said that she understood what happened.

She said, “Ba't naman po sasama loob ko kung ngayon lang naman po 'to nangyari, 'tapos may valid reason pa po na government rin po talaga.”

“Nakakalungkot din po and alam ko pong nalulungkot din po 'yung GMA sa nangyari, pero wala po talaga tayong magagawa.”

To cope with the exit of Sofia in the show, the production and creative team of Prima Donnas held a meeting to discuss what will happen with her character in the show.

Sofia portrayed the youngest of the three Claveria heiresses, Donna Lyn.

Direk Gina added, “Nagkaroon po kami ng malaking malaking discussion talaga at malaking problema kung paano namin maso-solve [ito] but at the end of the day po, kailangan namin sumunod kaya po nawala si Len-Len (Sofia's character).”

The veteran director also clarified that they will not kill off Sofia's character, which opened a door of possibilitiesin the future for Donna Lyn's character.

She cleared, “Pero hindi siya nawala totally. Nawala lang siya physically but she's being talked about.”

“'Yung pangalan niya ay laging nababanggit sa show, hindi po namin siya pinatay.”

Watch Gina's full statement in this video:


The catch-up episodes of Prima Donnas are currently airing on GMA Afternoon Prime, Monday to Friday, after Ika-6 na Utos.