New challenge for Louise

MANILA, Philippines – Drama has grown on her. In fact, Louise delos Reyes considers it her forte. But it was in the fantaserye Alakdana, opposite Alden Richards, where she started. With Magkaibang Mundo premiering today after Eat, Bulaga, Louise is back to that genre that jumpstarted her then budding career. 

“I’m happy to be back on Afternoon Prime,” said Louise in an interview following the round-table Q and A. “Five years ago, I started as Alakdana (the name of the character and the show, which aired on the) same timeslot of Magkaibang Mundo. I’m very excited how people will respond (to the new show). Actually, Alakdana introduced fantaserye in the afternoon (block).” This explains Louise’s feeling of familiarity with her new show, which is peppered, so to speak, with something new. It is her new TV partnership with Juancho Triviño of the Little Nanay fame. 

“We haven’t done any scenes yet but we stay on the same standby area,” shared Louise. “I can see how he works hard for his role. (I can say this because) I know him very well.”  Yes, you have heard it right. Louise and Juancho are friends, off-cam. Their friendship can be traced back to way before their network decided to pair the two with each other, following the tradition of love teams — and the “rigodon” that comes with the territory. 

“It’s actually a breath of fresh air,” said Louise of working with Juancho, who is testing the waters of playing leading man role. “It feels like your interest has been ignited in meeting new people and knowing their interests, and figuring out how our working relationship would be like. It’s nice to discover a new person. Alden was my love team (mate) for four years. It’s nice to work with friends. It is my first time to have a partner who is a friend. I know the amount of work he has put into reaching this (level of his career). He deserves it. Our tandem is promising. Ang gaang niyang katrabaho. We belong to the same group of friends. We just hung out before and nothing (romantic) developed because perhaps we had different priorities at that time. We’re focused on our work because this is his first leading man role. And this is my comeback.”

Although there seems to be “universal standards” of doing drama, Louise is expected to give the orphan-turned-shoe business heiress role a different handling. “Mas maraming luha ang papatak sa aking mga mata (I will cry buckets),” she shared. “It is something new kasi hindi pa ako talaga ganun naaapi (I haven’t been maltreated that way). In my past shows, there were kontrabidas and there was slapping. In this new show, unlimited na sampalan, batok, ngudngud, binasa na ako ng kung anu-ano, ang dami.”   

How is her character similar to herself?

“I’m also a mama’s girl,” Louise replied. “Princess has been broken hearted since her mother left her. She is longing for her love. Every time I have a scene, hindi ako nahihirapang humugot because I love my mom so much.” 

Putting aside personal hugot and narratives, Louise also banks on the energy that creative collaboration affords artists. “Mas marami akong makukuha from the artists, marami pa din akong matutunan. I’m not saying I’m the best and I’m at my best. I’m doing my best, my very best to improve (myself in) every sequence. I’m making this habit to watch the playback.”  

Magkaibang Mundo is another important break in Louise’s career after doing Kambal Sirena and a string of support yet marked roles.

“I think may kanya-kanya yan ng time,” she said. “Last year, the tween (trend) made a comeback, where the young stars were groomed. That’s how we were also built up. Umiikot din lang. As a (TV) artist, work is seasonal. I had a tough year. Parang nakatulong na walang work kasi hindi rin ako magiging productive. It made me love my job even more. I was able to contemplate on things and at the same time, I was able to get to know myself more — masarap na makilala mo yung sarili mo.” The interview with Louise also showed that she doesn’t mind if it took a while for her to star in another fantasy drama. Besides, acting is her passion. “It is more than just a job,” said Louise, who enjoys being “in front of the camera” and “portraying a character, may ibang saya sa akin. More than the applause and the fan base, (my passion for acting) is my fuel to do better.”

Louise is also part of the Gil Portes’ Hermano Pule, also starring Aljur Abrenica and Enzo Pineda.

With Juancho as her new partner in an afternoon fantaserye, Louise and fans are in for something new and something familiar. It is a new challenge for her.