Teen stars Krystal Mejes and Marc Santiago are living a dream come true as they become part of the powerhouse cast of trending Kapamilya series “Lavender Fields.” For them, it’s more than just landing a role—it’s a huge career milestone, given the success of the show and the presence of big names like Maricel Soriano, Edu Manzano, Albert Martinez, Jolina Magdangal, Janine Gutierrez, Jericho Rosales, and Jodi Sta. Maria in the cast.

In a recent Kapamilya Chat episode, Krystal and Marc gave a glimpse into their journey leading up to this major break. Just like their fellow teens Jana Agoncillo and Miguel Vergara, Krystal and Marc were also handpicked for their roles. One day, they received a message about an exciting new project, and from that moment, everything changed for them.

Their initial reaction was, of course, excitement, especially when they found out who their co-stars would be. But that excitement was soon followed by a mix of pressure and jitters. For Krystal, the thought of performing alongside seasoned actors was intimidating. She wondered how she could match their level of expertise and skill. However, she quickly realized that the management at ABS-CBN and Dreamscape Entertainment trusted her enough to give her this opportunity. That trust reminded her that she needed to believe in herself just as much.

“Nakakatuwa na nakakakaba. There were many emotions all at once, but mainly I am so grateful, especially because I know that this is going to be a new chance for us, a new opportunity, and of course, kailangan po namin galingan, give our best para po pagkatiwalaan po ulit kami at magtuloy-tuloy po ‘yung career namin,” shared Krystal.

She steps into a familiar territory in “Lavender Fields” as a kontrabida, a role she’s portrayed before. However, her character, Myrtle Hidalgo, has more depth this time around, making the challenge even more thrilling for her.

On the other hand, Marc breathes Gio Albano, who is fierce and ‘palaban,’ especially when he feels wronged. However, what Marc relates to the most in Gio is his deep love for his family.

Both Myrtle and Gio attend the same school as Jana’s Mira and Miguel’s John Paul, so we can expect plenty of engaging on-screen interactions among the quartet. Their chemistry as a group is undeniable, which is no surprise, considering their real-life friendship, which goes back to their early days as child stars, having worked together in previous shows, events and workshops. And this connection translates beautifully on screen.

Their support for each other is also evident on set. When one of them is filming a scene, the others are always nearby, cheering on and hyping each other up. During breaks, they enjoy spending time together, laughing and bonding, creating a fun vibe that enhances their performances.

However, the transition from child wonders to teen stars hasn’t been easy for Krystal and Marc, especially since “Lavender Fields” marks their comeback after a hiatus during the pandemic, and, like everyone else, they’ve evolved and grown over time. Still, their passion for acting has helped them overcome these hurdles. As Krystal mentioned, her love for the craft makes her feel more at ease at work. "I don’t feel tired doing it at all," she shared, emphasizing how deeply she enjoys what she does.

When asked how they prepare for their current assignments, Krystal was candid about the difficulties of painting a character so different from her real self, except for one key trait: their shared bravery, which also translates to willingness to make mistakes, knowing that every misstep is an opportunity to learn and grow stronger.

Myrtle can be described as a bold young lady whose mere presence can be intimidating. And to give life to Myrtle convincingly, Krystal had to build a strong connection with the ‘mean girl’ and truly understand her core motivations. This process involved not only immersing herself in the role but also listening closely to the guidance of her directors.

“Minsan nga po, feeling ko nababaliw na ako,” Krystal joked. “Minsan nag-a-acting ako sa harap ng salamin, kinakausap ko ‘yung sarili ko.” But on a more serious note, she shared that she has mastered the ability to switch her character on and off—being fully immersed during takes and letting go once the director calls “cut.” This skill has made it easier for her to load up on emotions when needed and release them after each scene.

Marc added that carefully reading the script is essential, especially when it comes to understanding what each scene requires. He makes it a point to memorize his lines well before heading to the location, ensuring that he can focus fully on his performance during the rehearsal and actual take.

As time goes by and they become more familiar with their characters, Krystal and Marc find themselves looking forward to every taping day even more. Also one of the reasons they enjoy the experience so much is the warm and welcoming vibe created by the seniors.

Looking back, Krystal recalls their very first taping day, where all the veteran actors were present for a scene. Before stepping on set, she had mentally prepared herself to act prim and proper around them, expecting to be a bit overwhelmed. But when she finally met them in person, she realized there was no need to be anyone other than herself. They were all incredibly kind, professional, and far from intimidating.

What struck her the most was their humility, despite their extensive experience in the industry. "I’m so inspired to go to set and learn so much from them," Krystal shared, expressing her admiration for their grounded nature. And with the positive and encouraging tone the seniors foster, the youngsters become even more excited to show up and give their best.

Marc echoed Krystal’s thoughts on the approachable nature of everyone on set. Reflecting on his first dramatic scene with Jodi, he recalled preparing mentally and strategizing beforehand. However, his nerves eased once he arrived and experienced the pleasant and comforting atmosphere, “Para silang matagal mo nang kakilala, para silang pamilya talaga,” Marc noted, adding that Edu, who shares a tent with him, has become someone he jokes around with regularly.

Meanwhile, Jericho, known for his humor, is described by Krystal as a joy to be around, saying, “’Pag kasama mo siya sa set, everything is happy, everything is so light. He’s making everyone happy.” Marc agreed, adding, “Sobrang bait ni Kuya Echo.” Jolina, on the other hand, is like their real ‘momshie,’ who loves bringing food for everyone during their shoot.

Krystal and Marc describe “Lavender Fields” as an incredible and highly anticipated series. Tune in weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z to catch all the exciting drama and engaging performances of the cast.