Carla Abellana’s feisty side comes to the surface in new drama

CEBU, Philippines — Of all the screen roles she’s played, Carla Abellana describes her latest

as the feistiest one to date, sometimes wading on impolite territory.

It’s a bit of a departure from the usual dutiful daughter, and good girlfriend or wife portrayals that the actress has been noted for.

“I would say that si Adele ang pinaka-palaban. Medyo matapang,” Carla says of her character in “Love of My Life,” answering a question The FREEMAN sent to her and co-star Rhian Ramos.

“Medyo lumabas lang yung feisty side ko dito at kinailangan siya for the role of Adele because lagi siyang may paninindigan, lagi siyang may pinaglalaban. Sometimes nakakalimutan na niya kung sino ang kausap niya. Medyo disrespectful ang approach sometimes.”

Premiering Monday on GMA Network’s 9:20 pm timeslot (after “The Gift”), “Love of My Life” reunites Carla with Tom Rodriguez and Rhian Ramos five years after the trio starred in the primetime drama “My Destiny.”

Carla is Adelle Nisperos, a widow with a child who owns a handicraft business. She meets Stefano (played by her real life boyfriend Tom), a family-oriented architect who has a son with ex-girlfriend Kelly Generoso (Rhian).

Stefano is the favorite son of Isabella Gonzales (Coney Reyes), a rich widow with high standards who will be against the blossoming romance between her son and Adelle. Isabella’s youngest son, Nikolai (Mikael), is the black sheep of the family who is not in good stead with the matriarch after he caused a traumatic family accident that led to the death of their father.

Isabella’s objections to Adelle and Stefano will fall on deaf ears as the couple attempt to build a normal family. But the peace is shattered when Kelly and Nikolai return, and when Stefano is diagnosed with a terminal illness.

Wishing to spend time with his loved ones during his remaining days, Adelle, Kelly, Nikolai, and Isabella are forced to live under one roof despite their differences for the sake of the dying Stefano.

“Love of My Life” features Anna Marin as Siony, Adelle’s doting and supportive mother; Vaness del Moral as Joyce, Adelle’s strict but supportive friend who also helps run her handicraft business; Geleen Eugenio as Manang Eden, the Gonzales’ family cook and a warm-hearted spinster; Samantha Lopez as Janice, Isabella’s fashionable and loyal personal assistant; and Maey Bautista as Cha-mae, Adelle’s humorous and kikay friend who works in her handicraft business;

Also seen in the series are Ethan Hariot as Gideon, Kelly’s charming son from Stefano whom he abandoned; Raphael Landicho as Andrei, Adelle’s adorable son from her ex-boyfriend; Levi Ignacio as Mang Arsing, the Gonzales’ trusted driver who is also a close friend of Isabella’s sons; Carl Guevarra as Kiel, close confidante and business partner of Stefano; Dino Pastrano as Elmer, Adelle’s loving brother who manages their family farm. Johnny Revilla will also have a special role.

Coney, who in the past years has been seen in well-received ABS-CBN teleseryes, is proving to be an insightful co-star for Carla and the rest of the cast.

“Given na yan, number one, to be professional. Number two is to always set a good example,” said Carla of her learnings from the veteran and respected actress.

“Number three, you should be open to learning. Not just from your director or co-actors…katulad nung sinabi niya during the presscon, whether mas matanda or mas bata, may matututunan ka. So be open to learning lang. And given that she’s a veteran already, there are times na humihingi pa din siya ng tulong sa scenes or advice. She asks, ‘Paano mo nagagawa yan?’ Which is surprising kasi parang, diba dapat kayo ang dapat tinatanong naming ng mga ganyan. There’s a lot to learn from Ms. Coney Reyes so we’re very grateful that she accepted the role of Isabela.”

Asked how she’s doing after a series of health issues in 2019 – a year she revealed in an Instagram post that “broke” her “psychologically, emotionally and physically” – Carla said, “Just to clarify, I returned to the acting grind even before the health precautions or health issues,” referring to the diagnosis of asthma, tachycardia, hypothyroidism, and liver damage.

“It was especially difficult because we were months into taping ‘Love of My Life’ when nagkaroon ng mga health scare. It was difficult but anybody should prioritize his or her health. Kahit anong sacrifice, syempre gagawin mo lahat to get treated. As much as possible, to get the right treatment and the right doctors.” VAB