Shaina: Not in a hurry to fall in love

Shaina Magdayao admits her Ate Vina Morales is — consciously or unconsciously — taught her so many things when it comes to love. And it’s not because the five-month pregnant Vina is making Shaina sit down and take lessons on the ABCs of the heart. Shaina is closely observing her older sister and taking the cue from her.

“I learned that one shouldn’t rush love, that one should be extra careful,” says Shaina. “It will come when it will come. You see, ang pagsisisi ay nasa huli.”

Not that she thinks Vina’s pregnancy is a mistake. On the contrary, Shaina says the baby girl in her sister’s womb is a blessing, and a welcome addition to her family of seven nephews and nieces.

“Ate Vina is at her highest point these days. She’s happy, even blooming,” reports Shaina. So she doesn’t understand why people are trying to put Vina down.

“Our family is not dwelling on negative thoughts,” Shaina says. “We’d rather think positive. Besides, my sister always wanted to have a baby even before she got pregnant. And she’s not getting any younger. She might have a hard time giving birth if she waits any longer.”

Does this positive outlook also apply to a rumored lawsuit the wife of Cedrick Lee (Vina’s boyfriend) plans to file against Vina?

Shaina remains noncommittal.

“We’ll see,” is all she has to say.

Shaina herself has her own share of romance these days. She admits she and John Prats are exclusively dating. And like all people born under the sign of the Scorpio (Nov. 16), Shaina describes herself as passionate when it comes to love. Shades of her ate Vina, who is willing to defy social conventions for love?

“I’m not saying it with finality, but if it’s possible, I don’t want to give birth out of wedlock,” replies Shaina.

But she’s willing to give up something as precious as her career for the man she loves.

“Yes, between power and love, I’ll choose love. Love is also powerful,” Shaina muses.

For now, Shaina can relax. She’s not caught n the middle of a love-power dilemma like her character. Dragonna is her new ABS-CBN fantaserye.

As the title role in Komiks Presents Mars Ravelo’s Dragonna, Shaina discovers she has dragon-like powers which allow her to create fire whenever she loses her temper. She uses this power to fight crime and protect the powerless. But she will lose this when she falls in love.

Problem is, our heroine is falling for the charms of basketball star Edgar (Jake Cuenca). So she’s in a bind.

The series is a whole new ballgame for Shaina, who dabbles in comedy as she stars with Bayani Agbayani (as her father) and Long Mejia. That’s why she has mixed feelings about her new starrer.

“Pinaka-worry ko is ‘yung comedy,” she explains. “Sabi nga paiyakin n’yo na lang ako kasi para sa akin mas madaling umiyak.”

But when she thinks of the wonders her new series will do to her as an actress, Shaina’s doubts vanish into thin air.

“I want to try different things and show my skills as an actor. It inspires me because I learn a lot in the process,” she gushes. “From drama, I got a mature role in Lobo, and now I have a light comedy-fantasy in Dragonna.

Shaina also goes a bit daring as she shows more flesh for the first time. Dragonna’s tight-fitting costume requires Shaina to sport a plunging neckline and micro-mini skirt.

No wonder she asked — and got — concessions.

“I bargained for a slightly higher neckline and a longer hemline as well,” reveals Shaina.

The sexy costume is no prelude to bold roles, though.

Shaina is ready to go sexy for women’s fashion shows, but not for the cover of men’s magazines.

Besides, she adds, ‘sexy’ does not just refer to showing flesh. It’s all about attitude — self-confidence and the way you carry yourself.

Shaina has developed that confidence by taking regular Pilates and yoga sessions that keep her in shape and give her peace of mind. Now she’s as fit as ever for those battle scenes with the forces of darkness played by Alessandra de Rossi.

Shaina must literally watch back in the fight scenes. She incurred a cracked disc at her back after she accidentally hit the floor in a fight scene with Piolo Pascual in Lobo.

She doesn’t mind, though. Shaina is having the time of her life.

“I always wanted to play a superhero,” she reveals.

She feels the pressure of playing the title role in the series, alright. Shaina knows a big part of Dragonna’s fate is in her hands. So she vows to summon all the powers at her beck and call to make Dragonna a hot, hot series that will set fire, not only on evil elements that provoke her character, but on TV when it takes a bow on Saturday, Dec. 13, 6 p.m.