The young stars of trending Kapamilya series “Lavender Fields” are overjoyed and thankful for the success and positive feedback they’ve been getting from viewers. During their appearance on Kapamilya Chat, Jana Agoncillo and Miguel Vergara shared their feelings of fulfillment about the warm reception the show has received since day one, from the announcement to the teaser drop and cast reveal, as they’ve witnessed the collective effort poured into this project.

Though they’re no strangers to acting, having started as talented child stars—Jana starred in “Dream Dad” and “Ningning,” while Miguel was seen in “Nang Ngumiti ang Langit”—they admitted to feeling a bit nervous at first, working alongside luminaries such as Maricel Soriano, Edu Manzano, Albert Martinez, and seasoned actors like Jericho Rosales, Janine Gutierrez, and Jodi Sta. Maria.

But the senior stars have been incredibly generous with their guidance, and when the cameras are off, they make sure the young actors feel at ease and at home. “Kahit mga bigatin ang nakakasama namin, very welcoming sila and they make sure that everybody feels included,” shared Jana, who considers playing Mirasol Gallego, Maricel’s granddaughter in the series, a dream come true. In fact, it almost feels like a manifestation, as she had previously mentioned in an interview her hope of working with the Diamond Star.

Jana was thrilled to share the screen with Maricel, discovering that the veteran is not at all the 'Taray Queen' she might seem. “Na-observe ko na si Ms. Maricel, hindi naman siya nakakatakot. In fact, she’s very friendly sa lahat ng mga nakakaeksena niya.” Jana is also making the most of every moment to learn from her on-screen ‘mamita.’ Maricel’s presence has been a tremendous support for Jana, especially during intense scenes.

As Jana’s obedient and kind-hearted character, Mirasol, navigates a deeply emotional journey, viewers will want to stay tuned to see how it all unfolds in the upcoming episodes.

On the other hand, Miguel plays John Paul Madrigal, a character he describes as “misunderstood” and a school bully who also grapples with personal issues at home and yearns for a father's affection. This role is a stark contrast from Miguel’s true self, making it a significant challenge. Fortunately, Jojo Saguin, his director on the first day of taping, provided invaluable guidance on how to build and approach the character. The only similarity between Miguel and JP is their shared love for sports, though Miguel is keen to leave JP’s bullying traits behind in real life.

When asked about her preparation, Jana explained that the more intense the scene, the more internalization is required. “’Pag nabasa ko na heavy scene, pupunta pa lang ako sa set, I’m 50 percent of my character na, so I can really focus. Minsan, ‘pag rehearsals or nagba-blocking, nararamdaman ko na talaga ‘yung emotions para ‘pag nag-action, it’s easier for me to transition.”

Jana’s foolproof method for tapping into her character’s emotions involves immersing herself in the character’s struggles, and she always seeks her directors' opinion for the right delivery. While it’s easier for her to play Mira due to their similar body language, she still makes adjustments to ensure Mira stands out as a distinct persona.

Miguel agreed, noting that he initially felt a bit out of practice since this marks his acting return after a long break. However, the directors helped him overcome the challenges. Similar to Jana’s approach, Miguel focuses on fully embodying his character’s soul to bring realism to his role. Listening to music before a scene also helps him pluck the right emotions.

These young actors are highly perceptive and eager to learn from their seasoned 'titos' and 'titas' in the industry. They also enjoy discovering what these renowned stars are like off-camera.

Besides Maricel, Jana feels fortunate to work closely with Jodi, noting how Jodi remains incredibly focused even during rehearsals. Jana is truly impressed by witnessing Jodi's talent up close, especially how she differentiates between her roles as the sweet Jasmin and the vengeful Lavender with distinct subtleties. “She collaborates a lot. Nakikita ko nagtatanong siya. And I’m also trying to adapt that,” smiled Jana.

Although they haven’t shared many scenes with other cast members like Janine and Jericho, they’ve interacted with them at promo events and other gatherings. They were pleasantly surprised to find that these dramatic actors are actually very jolly in person. Miguel also revealed that Jolina Magdangal is delightful on set, always pampering her co-stars and crew with food she brings.

Jana and Miguel describe “Lavender Fields” as both relatable and intriguing, making it a must-watch for its unexpected twists and turns. Tune in weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.