THERE was no hint of nerves, just gratefulness and joy could be gleaned on the face of Kylie Padilla.
The actress, who is starring in the primetime series, “Bolera,” is glad to have found the right comeback project she could sink her teeth into.
She did not have a project for at least two years, but when asked if she felt some pressure to be back in front of the camera in a primetime show — headlining it at that — Kylie said she felt no pressure but just happiness that she was entrusted with the role and pride about the kind of show it is.
“I’m so happy na ito yung naging comeback show ko kahit hindi ako marunong mag-billiards. Nung sinabi sa akin na kaliwete si Joni, I took the challenge, I said okay, let’s go, let’s try. Mahirap siya nung una kasi I’m a right-handed person. I took everything into account, I trusted na kaya natin ‘to. Nung pinapanood ko naman, ang ganda!” she remarked. “Thank you everyone for helping me to get the character right, to get the form right. Sobrang saya ko! I’m so proud of this show talaga.”
Kylie plays Joni, a trailblazer who challenges the norms of the society as she excels in what is usually a male-dominated sport — billiards.
Joni is a billiard prodigy who is gifted with visual and spatial intelligence. Though clearly gifted, success did not just fall on her lap.
At a young age, Joni was taught to play the sport by her father who was a former billiard champion. After being accused of cheating, her father’s career ended but it never hindered her from learning and becoming a master herself. But when her father died, it was up to her to support her family; playing billiards was suddenly the last thing on her mind.
Year later, Joni finds herself returning to the sport she first fell in love with. Now older and wiser, she meets stronger opponents and faces bigger problems rooted in circumstances that happened to her family years ago.
Joining Kylie in the series are Rayver Cruz, who takes the role of Miguel and Jak Roberto, who plays Toypits, Joni’s friend who has always had feelings for her.
Making the series more interesting is a stellar roster of artists composed of Gardo Versoza as Marco “Cobrador” Santos, a billiard master who has no qualms resorting to underhanded tactics just to win; Joey Marquez as Freddie Roldan, a seemingly grumpy man who will become Joni’s mentor in the sport; Al Tantay as Joma, Joni’s father and a former billiard champion; and Jaclyn Jose as Tessa Fajardo, Joni’s mother.
Also starring in this original series are Via Veloso as Marla, the owner of the billiard bar that Joni works at; Sue Prado as Roma, Toypit’s mother who will unravel a dark secret; David Remo as Tres, Joni’s supportive brother; Ge Villamil as Kikay, Tessa’s close friend; Luri Nalus as Pogi, Cobrador’s sidekick.
All scenes, creative processes, and executions for the series are with the guidance of Rubilen Amit, Bolera’s script consultant and Johann Chua and Geona Gregorio, game consultants and trainers of Kylie Padilla.
“Bolera” is under the helm of Dominic Zapata and Jorron Lee Monroy.
