Elle Villanueva reveals attending court hearings to prepare for 'Apoy sa Dugo' role

Elle Villanueva said she attended court hearings to prepare for her role in “Apoy sa Dugo.”

In Athena Imperial’s report in “24 Oras” on Tuesday, the Kapuso star who plays the role of Atty. Vanessa Sangalang-Panganiban, said she did this to learn how lawyers interact with people.

“Pumunta ako sa mga court hearings. So I observe attorneys, lawyers, and mga judge din kung paano ‘yung pakikitungo nila sa mga tao," she said. 

"So that’s what I observed, parang very sure sila, very precise and kung paano ‘yung pagtindig nila,” she added. 

In the same interview, her co-star Ashley Ortega also talked about working with Elle for the first time. In the series, Ashley and Elle play half-sisters.

“We really have to build chemistry even off-cam. So lagi kaming tabi sa tent and I love working with Elle. Super chill,” Ashley said.

Elle and Ashley also opened up about working with veteran actress Pinky Amador, who plays a villain role in the Kapuso series.

“Talagang nakakatakot kasi ‘yung tingin niya parang nanunusok, so noong una ko siyang ka-eksena talagang nakakalimutan ko ‘yung lines ko. Nauutal ako. Sabi ko, 'oh my gosh I’m so sorry' kasi parang I’m stunned,” Elle shared.

Despite Pinky's strong demeanor on set, though, Elle and Ashley said that she is friendly and funny off-cam.

“Masaya lang sa set even si Tita Pinky. Grabe mag-TikTok,” Ashley shared.

“In between takes, nagbibiruan pa kami. Sumasayaw kami for some reason. Sobrang random lang na nagkakatawanan kami tapos biglang ok action galit na ulit,” Elle added.

Aside from Elle, Ashley and Pinky, “Apoy sa Dugo” also stars Derrick Monasterio.

It airs on GMA Afternoon Prime at 4:05 p.m.

—Jade Veronique Yap/CDC, GMA Integrated News