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Jane de Leon recalls crying upon wearing Darna costume for the first time

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Mary Ann Bardinas

It has only been two weeks since the highly anticipated teleserye of ABS-CBN this 2022 premiered and arrived at primetime television, yet we can agree that <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/darna">Mars Ravelo’s Darna</a> was indeed off to a good start. <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/darna/articles-news/netizens-impressed-by-mars-ravelos-darna-pilot-week-commend-jane-de-leon-performance-17961">The episodes of its pilot week didn’t just garner impressive amount of views, but also became trending topics on social media</a> due to the overwhelming positive feedbacks from netizens who got to see it.As we look forward to seeing Darna and Narda in their upcoming adventures, for sure, many of us are keen to hear more about the promising actress behind these iconic characters – Jane de Leon! And on August 24, her recent interview with the King of Talk Boy Abunda was published on his YouTube channel, wherein she talked about her experiences working on the much-awaited series and her castmates and Direk Chito Roño, her family’s difficult life before she entered the industry, as well as her journey in showbiz and in finally getting the role.Tito Boy commenced this episode of “The Interviewer” by sharing that they last met three years ago when Jane was only 20 years old. Jane then went on to share that she’s been busy filming the series in Bulacan and likened the whole experience to a rollercoaster ride.“Marami kami siyempreng pinagdaanan. Hindi lang naman lahat po good moments. Kasi kailangan po talaga naming alamin kung saan papunta ‘yong characters namin, especially Narda and Darna kasi dalawang persona po talaga ‘yon e. Ang maganda naman po kasi Tito Boy, nand’yan si Direk Chito para i-guide po kaming lahat,” she conveyed.<div>Preparing for the role</div>When it comes to the preparations she did, Jane revealed that they usually get little to no sleep due to the physical trainings she had to go through. So, their Australian stunt coach, who used to work in Marvel, instilled to them that discipline is the key by reminding them to keep themselves healthy even though they’re already tired with the fight scenes they have to carry out.Aside from going through strenuous trainings, she also had to cut her hair short, which, according to her, is her first time as an adult. While there are other actresses out there who find it hard to let go of their crowning glory for a role, she’s actually the type who’s not afraid to do it and would even dare to go bald if the story would require it.<div>Working with her castmates</div>Just on the first two weeks of <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/darna">Mars Ravelo’s Darna</a>, we could already notice the chemistry not just of Jane with her new on-screen partner Joshua Garcia, but with her other co-stars, too! However, little we did know that they were initially awkward with each other since it’s their first time working together. Yet, they’re able to gradually develop their closeness and friendship, and are now comfortable with one another.The same goes for her on-screen nemesis Janella Salvador, whose compelling and unique portrayal of Valentina should be seen by viewers. They were also awkward at first with each other since it’s also their first time working together, but now, they treat each other as sisters. They bond during their days off inside their bubble by watching movies, talking about their life experiences, and cooking their favorite kwek-kwek.Meanwhile, she described her relationships with Zaijian Jaranilla, who serves as her brother Ding, and with Rio Locsin, who plays their doting grandma Lola Berta, as “organic” on-and-off-cam.Jane also found parent figures while away from home. <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/darna/articles-photos/iza-calzado-as-darna-15878">First Darna Iza Calzado</a>, who she fondly calls “Mama Iza,” was really like a mother to them during their lock-in taping with how she took good care of them. On the other hand, she and Direk Chito, who she loves so much, have formed a lovely daughter-father bond on-and-off-the set.Many may find the veteran director intimidating, but once he sees that you’re listening, alert, and focused on everything that you do, he would eventually grow fond on you and he could be the best director you’ll ever work with.Apart from appreciating how he guided her until she gets a full grasp of her character, she’s also mind-blown by how the top-caliber director is able to come up with fresh and bizarre ideas that could keep pace with modern concepts despite his age.<div>Looking back on past hardships</div>With everything that she went through in order to get to where she is at present, the 24-year-old actress couldn’t help herself from getting emotional.“Naiiyak ako, Tito Boy, kasi hanggang ngayon nakatayo pa rin ako rito. Nalagpasan ko lahat ng naranasan ko, pati paghihirap ko. And nakakatuwa lang kasi may mga taong nand’yan para sa akin para suportahan pa rin ako at itulak pa rin para matuloy ‘yong pangarap ko,” she told the King of Talk.When asked if there was a point in her life that she almost gave up on her dreams, she fell silent for a few moments which made the host hold her hands and then she timidly uttered, “yes po.”“Dumating na po sa point na gusto ko nang bitawan ‘yong bato, ‘yong role po ni Darna. And sinabi ko po sa manager ko pati sa Mama ko na parang gusto ko na lang po ulit mag-aral at mag-business,” she confessed. She implied having doubts on herself back then as she still hadn’t figured out why she was chosen to play the most coveted role and she really didn’t expect it. “Ang tangi na lang pinanghahawakan ko ‘yong plano sa’kin ni Lord, na may plano siya sa akin. Na siyempre ‘yong kahit iisang tao may nagtitiwala sa akin, kailangan kong panghawakan po talaga ‘yon.”Aside from her internal struggles and own hesitations, another hurdle that Jane had to overcome then were the left and right bashings and discouragements she received from naysayers and people who doubted her capabilities to play the iconic role since she was still a budding actress then.<div>Life before showbiz</div>She may now be savoring the life that many are arguably yearning for, but life used to be not so easy for her and her family. In fact, there was a point when they had to eat rice with soy sauce and cooking oil, as well as had to share one egg, which she unfortunately broke, after they ran out of money as their debts swelled when she was still a kid.And that inspired her to staunchly pursue her dreams and fight in life. She stated, “Hindi ko pinagsisisihan ‘yon, Tito Boy, kasi dahil doon, naging malakas akong tao e. Dahil doon, naging ganito akong tao, naipaglaban ko ang pangarap ko, nandito ako para sa pamilya ko. Hindi ko po kinakahiya ‘yon.”Opportunities then eventually came knocking at her door as she started to score modelling stints in commercials. She then went through countless auditions and experienced sleeping in vans along with other talents. She also disclosed being an extra in the 2015 LizQuen movie “Just The Way You Are” as a cheerleader and an admirer of Enrique Gil’s character, but her scene got removed.The promising actress may have gotten rejected or replaced a number of times, yet she still refused to surrender because of her family.<div>The moment when she got the role</div>When asked by the King of Talk to take him and the viewers back to the time that the role was officially given to her, she revealed how really nervous she was, especially when she saw that all the ABS-CBN executives were anticipating her inside a room. The had her seated and interviewed her, and she told them that she’s ready to accept whatever their decision would be.And she got the role! When she asked them why they picked her, they told her that they see a potential and future in her – to which she’s very much thankful.“Nagpapasalamat naman po ako na pinagkatiwalaan ako ng lahat ng mga boss, lahat ng mga tao nagtitiwala sa akin. Siyempre, kung ikaw wala kang tiwala sa sarili mo at nakikita ‘yon ng ibang tao, sobrang nakakataba po talaga ng puso. And ayoko rin silang ma-disappoint,” she said.Jane went emotional as she reiterated how she’s been dying to tell doubters and haters that she is still bewildered to be chosen as this generation’s Darna. And just like them, she’s also in the process of discovering and finding the answers on her own. Amidst the negative remarks, she’ll continue to fight and will remain unstoppable.She also went on to reveal that she clearly understands where the naysayers are coming from since they only got to see her on pictures or TV, so she decided to open up more about herself through social media and her YouTube channel.<div>Darna audition</div>But little did we know that prior to that remarkable meeting with the bosses, Jane actually had to go through a series of auditions.According to her, the primetime series <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/halik">Halik</a> was approaching its conclusion then when her manager Tyrone Escalante told her about the auditions for antagonist roles in Darna, whose titular character was already bestowed to Liza Soberano. At the same time, the production then was also persuading her to try her luck, so she did.Her first was a public audition, which was for both artists and aspirants. After three months, they called for a special screening for artists, which was succeeded by another audition two months after, in which they were asked to wear a helmet and do some actions or stances.For the fourth audition, she was surprised to find out that she would face the higher-ups. They interviewed her about her life, yet she still didn’t keep her hopes up. After that, she got invited to attend an annual Ball in 2019, wherein she was seated alongside the big bosses of ABS-CBN. This made her think that something’s really fishy about it.Not long after, she was summoned to meet ABS-CBN executives and director Jerold Tarog, but it turned out that other executives were also there – as what we’ve seen in the video of the official announcement of the new Darna.Jane also took us back to her first taping day, divulging that she had a hard time at first, especially in adjusting for her role Narda. Fortunately, Direk Chito has not berated her yet. She imparted as well that she only got to work with Iza and Zaijian in the second cycle.“I cried talaga, Tito Boy. I cried,” she told Tito Boy when he asked her how she felt upon wearing the Darna costume for the first time. Jane then reminisced about how she used to only buy a cardboard version of Darna’s helmet in the market when she was still in grade one. She went on to impart how super overwhelmed she is, as well as implied how she looks forward on the experiences she’s going to have, especially that their shooting isn’t done yet.The King of Talk capped off their fun and insightful conversation by asking her the state of her heart. She gladly said, “Masaya. Masaya po ang puso ko ngayon. Pero ngayon, kailangan ko muna piliin ang sarili ko, Tito Boy.” He agreed, since she’s the type of person who tends to be too selfless, always putting others’ welfare and needs before her.Catch Jane de Leon as our well-loved Pinay superheroine in <a href="https://ent.abs-cbn.com/darna">Mars Ravelo’s Darna</a> on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, iWantTFC, and TFC. You may also watch episode highlights on ABS-CBN Entertainment&#x27;s official website and YouTube Channel.

Jane de Leon opens up about her experiences working with her Darna castmates and Direk Chito Roño, her journey before getting the role in a recent interview with Boy Abunda.