Angelu de Leon on Thea and Jeric: 'Be grateful'

At the press conference of Pyra Babaeng Apoy, GMANetwork.com sat down with veteran actress Angelu de Leon for this exclusive interview.

“Siya ‘yung isa sa kariniwang tao [na] malaki iyong puso. ‘Yung tipo ng kasambahay na mahal ‘yung amo, mahal ang trabaho niya at kung ano man ang meron siya, very caring. Nangangarap siya hindi lang para sa sarili niya pero para sa maraming tao,” was her description about her character Merly in Pyra Babaeng Apoy.

She shared that there was an instant connection with her character.

“Feeling ko kaya ako na-excite sa role [kasi] minsan nakakalimutan ko si Merly. Lumalabas si Angelu sa ibang eksena, kasi bilang parent din ako. Very fresh din sa akin ‘yung ganu’n klaseng motherhood. Makikita niyo how I am sa baby.”

We also asked her about the young cast of Pyra. “Bukod sa para silang perfect match, thankful ako na mababait silang bata. Thankful ako na nakikita ko ngayon kung gaano sila ka humble,” was her comment about Thea Tolentino and Jeric Gonzales.

She added, “They should be proud of themselves. Kasi hindi biro magkaroon ng sariling show na ikaw ang lead.”

According to her, “Hindi rin biro para kay Jeric [Gonzales] na siya ‘yung gawing leading man, kasi it takes two to tango. Hindi pwedeng si Thea [Tolentino] lang ‘yung magshine o si Thea [Tolentino] lang iyong hahatak kay Jeric [Gonzales].”

What’s her advice for both Thea Tolentino and Jeric Gonzales?

“Bukod sa respeto, sa professionalism, pakikisama, tandaan niyo na kahit kayo ang bida, kailangan niyo ng lahat ng crew, ng staff. Hindi porket kayo ang nandiyan at nagkapangalan, ibig sabihin kayo lang magdadala nu’n. Mawala isa diyan kung sino man kahit utility, mahirap magawa ang proyekto. So, dapat be grateful,” was her final remark.

Catch Angelu de Leon as Merly in Pyra Babaeng Apoy, weekdays after Maghihintay Pa Rin on GMA Afternoon Prime. -- Text by Eunicia Mediodia, Photo by Bochic Estrada, GMANetwork.com.