By JEMUEL CAINGLET SALTERIO
From the time Jericho Rosales was announced to star in ABS-CBN’s primetime teleserye “Lavender Fields,” every new cast member name was much anticipated.
The names of Jodi Sta. Maria, Jolina Magdangal, and Janine Gutierrez were added to the roster, and more recently, veteran stars Maricel Soriano as Aster Fields, Edu Manzano as Vittorio Buenavidez, and Albert Martinez as Zandro Fernandez became key players in the series.
Tagged as the grandest teleserye of the year, “Lavender Fields” is produced by ABS-CBN Studio and Dreamscape Entertainment.
Young stars Krystal Mejes as Myrtle Hidalgo, Marc Santiago as Gio Albano, Jana Agoncillo as Mirasol Gallego, and Miguel Vergara as John Paul Madrigal are all slated to make their acting comeback in the upcoming series.
The new generation of actors, who all started as child stars, have taken a hiatus from acting and are now looking forward to working with the veteran cast in “Lavender Fields.”
“We will be working with veterans,” Marc excitedly said. “Sino ba ang hindi pinangarap ‘to? Noong nakita ko ‘yung mga artists na makakatrabaho namin, talagang powerhouse ang line-up. Excited ako.”
Marc was part of the cast of “The General’s Daughter,” “Sandugo,” and “Join’ Bulilit.”
“Siyempre, kinakabahan ako to start this new teleserye,” added Miguel. “Pero sa support ng mga kasama ko — saka ‘yung mga veteran actors na kasama namin, matutulungan nila talaga kami.
“We are nervous to act again, not just me but my co-actors because we are all returning to act again and in a beautiful teleserye.”
Krystal previously did “Doble Kara,” “Nang Ngumiti ang Langit,” and “Fractured.” She feels pressured by the artists she will be working with in “Lavender Fields.”
“Veteran actors ‘yung makaka-trabaho namin,” Krystal said. “I know marami akong matututunan and at the same time, I’m willing to grow and learn with them. The first time they pitched the project to me, I said yes right away.”
Miguel made his big screen debut in “One More Try,” with Angel Locsin as his mother and Dingdong Dantes as his father. “Hindi po siya work,” Miguel said. “Nag-enjoy ako when I did that.
“I believe the veteran stars will help us since this is our comeback since we were kids. We were given another chance to act again and I’m very thankful. Sina Marc, Krystal, Jana, we will help each other.”
Jana was in “Honesto,” followed by “Ikaw Lamang.” She was given her first lead role in “Dream Dad,” with Zanjoe Marudo as her dad. That was followed by “Ningning” and “Starla.”
“I just want to take advantage of this break to learn, to give the best that I can possibly give. And to just show that I’m deserving of what I have now,” Jana said.
She feels pressured and on tenterhooks to be acting again and working with veteran actors now.
“I will learn a lot and at the same time, I’m willing to grow and learn from all of them.”
“Lavender Fields” is an action-drama series poised to treat viewers to a grandiose story and acting display.
“Nakakatuwang experience ang first script reading namin because we didn’t know what to expect,” declared Jodi. “Everybody brought something different to the table.
“I am proud to be working with these brilliant actors who will breathe life into the characters that shape the story of ‘Lavender Fields.’”
Apart from being Jodi’s action-drama series and Janine’s first contravida role, “Lavender Fields” marks the return to the teleserye genre of Jolina and Jericho after many years.
“Lavender Fields” also casts Lotlot de Leon, Biboy Ramirez, Cheena Crab, Bernard Palanca, Thou Reyes, Pamu Pamorada, Benj Manalo, and Justine Luzares. At the helm are Emmanuel Q. Palo and Jojo Saguin.
