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Here's what Nonong Ballinan, Whitney Tyson treasure from playing Rowell Santiago's sidekicks

Article (news)

Liezel dela Cruz

Whitney Tyson is one of the many celebrities given a second lease on their career, thanks to a notable appearance in the series, and of course, Coco Martin’s eye for talent and big heart for his struggling fellow artists.She said ‘Team Promdi’ reached out through Long Mejia’s manager after her interview on Rated K. She was tapped to join the new set of cast members, mostly comedians alongside Nonong Ballinan, for the teleserye’s new season in 2018. To recall, she was introduced as a resident of Barrio Sto Nino where Cardo (Coco) and Alyana (Yassi Pressman) revived their relationship. From there, the Sto Nino dwellers were hired as President Oscar (Rowell Santiago)’s helpers in the palace.When the <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/angprobinsyano">FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</a> assignment arrived, popularity came in tow. Whitney feels giddy to now be recognized by her character name, “’Yung star ko, naglaho ang ningning no’ng wala akong show. Pero no’ng napunta ako sa FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano, kahit saan ako magpunta, kahit sa palengke, ang tawag sa akin Aling Elizabeth. Nawala ang Whitney. Minsan, namamalengke ako, sasabihin sa akin, ‘Aling Elizabeth, anong bibilhin mong pagkain ni Mr. President? Magtago ka baka makita ka ni Lily!’” She interacts with the fans, especially when they ask about the teleserye.Besides the renewed popularity, Whitney was able to save up for her house’s renovation. Likewise, Nonong is grateful to <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/angprobinsyano">FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</a> for providing them with stable work during the pandemic as the first series to film under a lock-in setup.The two looked back on their happy days in Tanay, Rizal, where the fictitious town of Barrio Sto Nino was set, specifically the tragic massacre that marked the end of that particular chapter. The battle scene involved a lot of chasing, and bloopers that Whitney files under ‘most memorable moment’, “’Yung eksena sa Tanay, Rizal na pinasok kami ng mga taong-labas, nagtatakbuhan kami kasi bawat makita nila pinapatay nila. Eh, ayaw kong mamatay, kaya ang ginawa ko, takbo… takbo hanggang sa nadulas, nadapa. Matitindi ang mga eksena namin sa Tanay.”Nonong chimed in, adding more levity to the interview, “Ang ending no’n is mapapatay ‘yung lolo’t lola namin kaya kailangan namin tumakbo. ‘Yung sinasabi niyang nadadapa-dapa na kami, ‘yung eksena na ‘yun, kailangan namin tumakbo nang malayong-malayo tapos mabilis na mabilis kasi papatayin na kami. Tapos inabangan namin kung anong itsura sa TV, ang nakuha lang drone shot.”He continued, “Si Tita Whitney ang nasa unahan, tapos nasa likod niya ako. No’ng nasubsob si Tita Whit, wala talaga akong choice kundi talagang matamaan ko siya. So, gumulong kaming dalawa. Pagtayo kong ganyan, ang sabi sa akin ni Direk Coco, ‘Ang galing mo! Para kang si Kung Fu Panda.’”Funny, but it also proves everyone’s dedication to the show, “Doon talaga masusubok ‘yung tibay namin na ang lahat ng nangyayari sa Probinsyano ay totoo talaga. Totoo ‘yung takbo, tumbling. Lahat ng nangyayari diyan pinagpapaguran talaga ng cast.”The bloopers keep their &#x27;work-laugh&#x27; balance, nonetheless. “Kahit anong hirap, kahit anumang pagod sa trabaho, nakakatawa pa rin kami. Happy set pa rin kami. Kumbaga, sobrang nag-e-enjoy pa rin kami sa trabaho namin kahit mahirap.”Speaking of a happy set, Nonong and Whitney have a collection of fun TikTok videos with Rowell Santiago. The three, who portray the President and his loyal helpers in the story, pretty much became close in real life. Thus, Nonong and Rowell’s characters, Ambo and Mariano’s banter came off natural.Nonong added that Direk Rowell patiently guided them in their scenes, “Binibigyan niya kami ng mga pointers o kung anuman ‘yung pwede namin madagdag sa trabaho namin. Gano’n siya, nakaalalay sa amin. Para siyang leader pa rin namin ni Aling Elizabeth, parang siya talaga ‘yung Mr. President namin.”Adding to that, “Hindi niya kami pinababayaang magutom na dalawa.&quot;From their four-year stint in the teleserye, Nonong and Whitney picked up lessons that they will carry to their next projects, especially about keeping an excellent work attitude modelled by Coco himself.“Mas tine-treasure namin ‘yung natutunan namin sa show. Kay Direk CM, dapat sharp ka kasi biglaan lang ‘yung nangyayari, bigla ‘yung pagbibigay ng script. Dapat nakikinig ka. Iba ‘yung tinuro niya sa amin bilang bagong artista. Kumbaga, ibang flavor ‘yung binibigay niya,” shared Nonong.He added, “’Yung dedikasyon, sobra. Iba ‘yung puso ni Kuya [Coco]. Iba ‘yung tinuturo niya sa amin na talagang ganito siya mag-work. Then, ikaw, bilang kasama ka sa Probinsyano, nahahawa ka sa kung paano siya magtrabaho.”Catch <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/angprobinsyano">FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</a>’s “Pambansang Pagtatapos,” on <a href="https://kapamilyachannel.com/">Kapamilya Channel</a>, <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-news/kapamilya-channel-livestream-12685">Kapamilya Online Live</a>, and A2Z.

Nonong Ballinan and Whitney Tyson thankful to FPJ's Ang Probinsyano and they share unforgettable moments with Rowell Santiago.