Jerry Donato - The Philippine Star
MANILA, Philippines — Kylie Padilla has entered the picture of “Asawa Ng Asawa Ko” as Hannah, the original wife and former partner of Leon (played by Joem Bascon). The versatile actress has been working on set for over two weeks now. Her character will add another interesting and intriguing layer to the thickening drama that unfolds every night in the GMA Prime series.
“She’s very ambitious and has a bit of a rebellious streak. If she wants something, she’s going to do everything,” said Kylie about her impression and understanding of her character in a recent group interview.
Everyone is excited about how Hannah will “tip the balance” and change the “Asawa Ng Asawa Ko” narrative course. Leon and Cristy (portrayed by Jasmine Curtis-Smith) are engaged to get married.
“I’m just having fun portraying my character. I love my character,” shared Kylie, who was part of “Mga Lihim ni Urduja” and made a guest appearance in “Black Rider” last year. “Alam mo kapag nag-trabaho ako na love na love ko yung character ko (you know when I work on a character that I really love), I don’t even think. I just perform. Ganun yung feeling ko dito.”
Kylie recalled that the role was offered to her a month ago. She inquired about the nitty-gritty of it, so to speak. And it was a yes for her. After all, she had enough time to take a break, to recharge, and to be ready to take on a new character. By the way, she’s also doing “Encantadia Chronicles: Sang’gre” on the side.
Given the past between Hannah and Leon and their relationship dynamics, Kylie will have more scenes with another reliable actor, Joem, who has an easy and breezy working experience with her.
“It’s their show, I’m just a guest. To hear it from a co-star, it’s a big deal. It feels good,” said Kylie. “Ang galing din kasi nila. I think it depends on who you are acting with. (It’s) less work kung may binibigay sa’yo. You know they’re all giving actors and direk Laurice (Guillen) is an actor’s director. I’m so grateful. So, I think I can just give back what they’re giving me.”
Asked what other details on Hannah she can share with everyone, Kylie said: “With her, kasi late dumating sa kanya yung motherly instinct (her appreciation of maternal instinct came to her later in life). She got pregnant and gave birth at 17. She’s very young.”
“Kinailangan kong intindihin kung paano niya nagawang iwan yung family niya, iniwan niya yung anak niya, yung asawa niya (as an actress, I needed to understand why she left her family — her child and her husband. At first, I couldn’t grasp why she had done it. That’s where I had to do the hard work to understand, added she. “Kasi ‘pag may character ka, kailangan may empathy ka talaga sa character mo (when you’re playing a character, you have to empathize with her). Otherwise, you cannot deliver. There’s no truth in the eyes at all. I needed to understand her and without judgment.”
What would probably be the reaction of viewers once they’d seen Hannah’s real identity and intention in the story?
“Baka mainis sila sa una, feeling ko (I feel they might get annoyed or dislike her),” said Kylie. But then, once they get to know Hannah, mamahalin din nila si Hannah. Sana (they will love her, hopefully).”
Eventually, Hannah will become a member of the armed group KALASAG. The idea of doing action-packed and adrenaline-rush scenes thrills Kylie, who also has a penchant for the action genre.
Away from the klieg lights, Kylie is a young mom to two sons, Alas Joaquin and Axl Romeo.
“‘Mama, ‘wag ka nang umalis (Mama, please don’t leave),’” said Kylie of her children’s reaction and plead whenever she goes to work. “I think parang mas gusto ko na ganun kaysa sanay sila na wala ako (it seems that I like that instead of them being used to my absence). I think it also teaches them independence in some way. Tsaka may healthy space na ma-mi-miss namin ang isa’t-isa (and there’s healthy space that allows us to miss each other).”
With that, Kylie is a picture of a happy working mom and actress.
(Asawa Ng Asawa Ko) airs Mondays to Thursdays at 9:35 p.m.)
