Daring image far from Andrea Torres' real life persona

CEBU, Philippines —  For actors who did not meet until the actual filming, the chemistry between Andrea Torres and her “The Better Woman” leading man Derek Ramsay is undeniable, with showbiz spectators picking up on the gestures between the two.

During a recent interview with Cebu media, Derek described the actress as a woman with substance and a celebrity with her feet firmly planted on the ground. He admires Andrea’s humility, simplicity, and love for family. He attested to Andrea being a “manang,” saying that despite her sultry showbiz image, she is in fact a reserved and conservative woman who prefers to spend time with family than go out with friends on night outs. Her mom, in fact, shadows her wherever she goes as Andrea prefers her loved one within reach.

The two shared how they only met at the filming of the GMA-7 Summer Station ID, where they would be appearing all romantic and sexy by the beach. Despite being scheduled to do a workshop together, Andrea and Derek decided not to push through with it because they didn’t want to seem mechanical. On set, the two hit it off immediately.

“Ang weird talaga. Hindi kami nag-usap, hindi kami nagsabi na eto yung gagawin ko or nagkaroon ng limitations sa isa’t-isa. Sabi ko sa mom ko na hindi ako kinakabahan or naiilang or awkward. Ang binigay niya na energy sa akin, relaxed. Feeling ko hindi siya judgemental. Very totoong tao,” Andrea said of her first impressions of the newly-minted Kapuso.

Derek remained consistent, easily earning Andrea’s confidence. Andrea shared that despite being typically shy, she warmed up to Derek early on and became such a chatterbox. She learned how her co-star balances his many commitments, something Andrea admires about him.

The connection between the two do not stop on set, as Andrea accompanied Derek during a recent Frisbee game in Shanghai. She often posts pictures of him online too. The most recent one was taken unbeknownst to Derek who was seated with his back to the camera during a basketball game. Andrea posted the photo on Instagram with the caption “Always behind you…” which garnered comments from fellow actors Ruru Madrid, Andre Paras, Ina Feleo, and Juancho Trivino.

When asked where this chemistry stems from, Andrea said that she and Derek share a lot of things in common.

“I think may instant chemistry na nangyari kasi magkapareho kami ng ugali, ng values. Noong na meet ko siya, nakita ko kung bakit maraming tao ang humahanga sa kanya, maraming rumerespeto. Definitely lagi akong looking forward pumunta sa set, at lagi akong umuuwi ng bahay na happy,” said Andrea.

Another co-star Andrea relies on is Jaclyn Jose, whom she’s worked with in three other shows prior to “The Better Woman.” She describes her relationship with the veteran actress as a mother-daughter dynamic, someone whom she turns to for advice on professional and personal matters.

“Favorite ko siya katrabaho, kasi meron kaming connection ni Miss Jaclyn. Kapag siya ang ka-eksena ko, nakaka-produce kami ng bagay na hindi ko akalain na kaya kong gawin. Ang lalim. Ang generous niya sa ganoong bagay,” said Andrea.

“I’m lucky na siya ang napili as mom [in the show]. May pressure na sa story and role, at least nung nalaman ko na siya madalas kong makasama, mas napagaan for me.”

“The Better Woman,” currently airing on GMA Telebabad, is about a couple whose lives take a different turn when the wife’s long-lost twin sister emerges. Andrea switches back and forth with her dual role as Jasmine Santos-de Villa, and her twin Juliet Santos, whose resentment leads her to stir up trouble in the couple’s relationship. Derek plays Andrew de Villa, Jasmine’s husband.

“Mahirap po talaga. Sa TV dapat mabilis ka kumilos, mabilis ka mag-internalize. Hindi naman sa araw na yon kukuhanan yung mabait lang or yung masungit lang. Talagang palit palit. I welcomed the challenge,” she said.

“Every time nasa taping ako, feeling ko nagwo-workshop ako. Grateful ako na nabigyan ako ng pagkakataon ng GMA to show another side of me. Kasi for the longest time, kilala ako sa mga sexy na role. Eh dito, at least makikita nila ang Andrea na version na mabait, na sweet.”

Andrea also defended the show’s sensual scenes, saying these are included for a reason and not merely to titillate viewers. She cited lessons on family, marriage, love and life as the central message of the show.

“Hindi lang basta competition ng dalawang babae. Meron kasing nangyari sa family nila. Makikita mo yung relationship nila bilang family, kung ano yung mga pinagdadaanan. Kahit hindi ganoon kagrabe ang nangyari sa family niyo, makaka-relate kayo. May pinanghuhugutan ang lahat. Hindi naman masama yung tao dahil masama talaga siya,” Andrea explained.

“Hindi lang siya pa sexy. May reason. Gaya nung pole dancing, inestablish ang character ni Juliet. Yung intimacy ng mag-asawa, hindi basta nagpa-sexy or malaswa tignan.”