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From baddies to buddies: Candid moments of Regina & Ali on the set of Mars Ravelo’s Darna 

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Liezel dela Cruz

<p>We are used to seeing villains and sidekicks helping each other carry out their nefarious plans. But when we met Regina/Valentina and her bodyguard Ali, portrayed by Janella Salvador and Mark “Mac” Manicad, respectively in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/darna" target="_blank"><u><strong>Mars Ravelo’s Darna</strong></u></a>, we saw a refreshing take on the typical ‘kontrabida’ duo on TV.</p><p>For starters, they serve us great chemistry whether it’s about their complementing outfits or their low-key ‘caring’ moments, so much so that some fans are shipping them. Best of all, they share a pretty solid and adorable friendship in real life. Let these behind-the-scenes photos speak of their strong ties.</p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-1.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div> </div><p>Mac shared their first snapshot days after Janella was officially announced as the series’ Valentina. They appear distanced in the picture above but would grow closer over time. See next image for proof.</p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-2.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div> </div><p>Now they’re joined by the hip. He even calls her “The Fastest Celebrity” because of her proficiency at work. </p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-3.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div> </div><p>You know the friendship is for keeps when you can call each other partner. Mac dedicated a special IG greeting for Janella on her birthday last March, writing in the caption, “Happy birthday, partner! Di ko na hahabaan message haha lam mo na ‘yun. Labyu!” He uploaded Janella’s best solo shots and a wacky photo of them together:</p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-4.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div> </div><p>Their friendship blossomed through all their preparations for the series, including their physical training, specifically jujitsu sessions seen in the photo below.</p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-5.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div> </div><p>They turn some of their on-cam moments into inside jokes such as the scene of Regina ignoring the food that Ali prepared. Janella reacts in the comment section, “You miss me na noh?” </p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-6.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div> </div><p>The script may require Regina to slap and shout at Ali in some scenes but that’s not a problem for the actors who have grown comfortable with each other.</p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-7.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div> </div><p>Janella and Mac also stand out in their complementing sense of style, making them not your ordinary villain-and-sidekick duo. </p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-8.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-9.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div> </div><p>They sure have a blast working with each other in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/darna" target="_blank"><u><strong>Mars Ravelo’s Darna</strong></u></a>. </p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-10.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div> </div><p>And even if they are the ‘tandem,’ that doesn’t mean they can’t get along with their other co-stars. In fact, they are two of the friendliest Darna cast members. Check out their candid off-cam moments with them:</p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-11.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-12.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-13.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div> </div><p>Serving us looks while posing with director Benedict Mique. </p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-14.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div> </div><p>Even before Regina and Narda’s BFFs-only sleepover happens, Janella and Mac already had one with Narda herself Jane de Leon. </p><div> </div><div style="text-align:center"><img alt=" Janella Salvador &amp; Mac Manicad BTS " src="https://aa1a-dctp-s3-entertainment.s3.ap-southeast-1.amazonaws.com/updates/darna/2022/10/19/janella-mac-15.jpg"/><br/><small><em>Photo credit to macmanicad IG </em></small></div><div> </div><p>Catch the badass duo of Janella and Mac in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/darna" target="_blank"><u><strong>Mars Ravelo’s Darna</strong></u></a>, weeknights, on <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-news/everything-you-need-to-know-about-kapamilya-channel-12340" target="_blank"><u><strong>Kapamilya Channel</strong></u></a>, <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/articles-news/abs-cbn-goes-full-blast-on-digital-launches-kapamilya-online-live-on-youtube-and-facebook-12718" target="_blank"><u><strong>Kapamilya Online Live</strong></u></a>, and A2Z. </p>

Janella Salvador and Mac Manicad’s off-cam friendship makes for an effective villain-sidekick tandem on TV. 