SHOWBIZ BEAT MEDIA

Despite having been cast as lead in numerous projects, Janine refers to her role as Dirty Linen’s protagonist, Alexa Salvacion, as her biggest break.

Alexa has a dual identity as Mila dela Cruz, who will enter the world of the Fieros, the most powerful family in the territory who definitely has something to do with the disappearance of her mother, Olivia (Dolly de Leon). Led by the ruthless matriarch Cielo Fiero played by Tessie Tomas, the corrupt family will find a dangerous opponent in Alexa/Mila.

According to Andoy Ranay, one of the directors, instead of downgrading Janine’s beauty, they leveled up the world she’s in. If the Dirty Linen worked for just a normal family, Andoy thinks it would not have worked: “Hindi naman siya magmumukhang katulong. Mas uutusan pa niya si Apey [Obera], di ba?” 

Onat Diaz, another director, offered a very logical explanation based on the foundation of world-building in fiction, pointing out that the series veers towards hyperrealism, citing Downtown Abbey as a peg, for the Fiero family’s wealth and influence. He went on to praise Janine’s groundedness, making her very easy to direct. “When she’s actually in the scene, she belongs there,” Onat said.

For Tessie, who’s been based in the Isle of Man since 2019, this is her comeback project. That’s the same year she celebrated her 25th anniversary with Roger Pullin, her husband who spent 38 years in the Philippines prior to be with her. While having her afternoon nap, “like a queen”, according to her, Roger woke Tessie and told the seasoned actress that her manager Ricky Gallardo is calling.

“Kagigising mo lang? Umupo ka,” were the first words of Ricky that time according to Tessie. She went to the living room and he then went on to tell her that: “Dreamscape is offering you its biggest soap opera and you will play the role of the matriarch of the family.” The ‘Blood Sisters’ actress is fine with it since she knows that the production unit has a track record for producing quality shows but she is aware that she can’t make the decision alone, since she’s informed that the shooting will start around next month. “Babalasahin ko itong asawa ko para payagan ako kasi kababalik ko lang,” she told him.

It seems fate is on her side, because her husband readily agreed, effectively making this Tessie’s comeback project after four years. Her last role was the deceitful antagonist Dr. Rosemarie Bermudez in ‘The Blood Sisters’. For ‘Dirty Linen’, she said that she was surprised by the character description of Cielo Fiero, because it’s actually longer than than the storyline. “Parang nagkadiarrhea ako,” she joked. But the seasoned actress refused to be intimidated because she knows that she would not have been cast for the role if the production did not believe that she could do it.

As soon as she stepped foot on the set, Tessie was in awe and thought to herself, “Oh my God, milyon ang ginasta ng Dreamscape dito.” She continued: “Wala ditong fake. Ang mga chairs namin ay talagang velvet. Villeroy and Boch ang aming cutlery. Hindi nagtipid. Ah sabi ko, pang-Netflix ito. Hindi mababawi ito pag hindi ito nag-Netflix.” Because of this, Tessie was even more determined to put her best shoe forward when it comes to her acting. 

However, she’s still intimidated because of the responsibility and an actor that intimidates her is John Arcilla, because his voice is louder than hers. She described their scene: “Kapag nag-aaway na kami sa mahabang dulang na ganun. Kamamber [Camembert cheese] kung kamamber. Walang daya. Wala kang makikitang kesong puti dun o may tinapa. Pag herring, herring. Pag salmon, salmon.” They eat everything after the scene, she clarified.

‘Dirty Linen’ will start airing on January 23 on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, Jeepney TV, A2Z, and TV5. You can also watch it on iWantTFC and TFC.

*Cover PhotoThumbnail Photo from Showbiz Beat Media