82 locked-in days of taping was not a joke, which made comedy actor Benjie Paras, said on Wednesday, January 12, that he had an ‘urge’ to sneak out during the production of Prima Donnas Book 2.
“Sa akin, mahirap. Hindi biro yung 82 days na nawala. Naisipan ko na ngang tumakas eh. Pero hindi ko ginawa,” Paras joked during the show’s virtual media conference.
He had to strengthen himself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to combat his anxiety.
He is thankful to his director Gina Alajar as the latter is also known to conduct Bible studies and lead prayers during tapings.
“Spiritually, andyan sina Direk Gina na nagkakaroon ng Bible study group, nagkakaroon ng prayers everyday, na nakakatulong sa amin.”
He also turned to his cast members, who were there for emotional support.
“Yung pagiging emotional naman, nand’yan yung isa’t-isa na kapag kailangan mo, nagtatawagan, nag-uusap, nagtutulungan.”
Paras turned to his Prima Donnas family for motivation–to condition his mind.
“Yung mental naman, is family na makakausap ko everyday. Andy’an sila na nagbibigay ng motivation for me to work hard and parang tanggapin kung ano ang kinakalagayan namin.”
After working again with Althea Ablan, Sofia Pablo, and Jillian Ward,
he also shared what he discovered about them.
According to him, the young cast seemed to have enjoyed the locked-in taping the most.
“Kami lahat parang we wanted to go home to see our families. Pero sila yung nag-enjoy na uuwi ng madaling araw after ng taping, naririnig mo yung ingay, nagtatawanan. Then early in the morning sila yung magigising ng maaga, nagkukulitan na. Masaya sila, happy.”
The three stars were not all fun and games as he saw them progressed from being cute stars to beautiful young ladies.
“Pero pagdating of course sa work, andoon na. Makikita mo nalang yung binigay na role sa kanila na iba na. Hindi na katulad dati na mga cute pa sila. Ngayon hindi na, magaganda na sila eh, malalaki na.
“I’m so happy to be part of them na yung mula bata. ilang years nakaraan, na nag-iba talaga.”
Prima Donnas Book 2 is set to air on January 24 on GMA Afternoon Prime.
