Heaven Peralejo is unfazed by netizens questioning why she was chosen to lead the upcoming Viva One period series ‘I Love You Since 1892’.
During the grand media conference for the series — based on the Wattpad hit novel by Binibining Mia — the actress firmly said her focus is on work, not personal attacks.
“Nu’ng una po talaga, actually, hindi naman masyadong nag-sink sa akin. But then, I think last night, unconsciously, nakikita, nababasa ko ang comments and, unconsciously, napo-project ko rin siya sa sarili ko,” Heaven began.
She admitted that online comments initially weighed on her, but she found strength in opening up to her co-star Jerome Ponce and the production team.
“Nakakatuwa kasi ipinaalaala nila sa akin kung bakit nga ba ako nandito ulit. Ano bang core ko? Oo nga, aktres ako. Ito ‘yung job ko. Mahal ko yung trabaho ko and I shouldn’t be contained with one character na ang ganda-ganda ng istorya. At alam ko sa sarili ko na ibinibigay ko ‘yung one hundred percent, so bakit ako nagkakaroon ng alinlangan?” she explained.
Heaven emphasized the importance of trusting herself, her co-actors, and her director. “Du’n ko nakita na, unang-una, ako ‘yung nagtitiwala sa sarili ko and, of course, nagtitiwala ako sa mga kasamahan ko, sa direktor ko.”
The actress also praised her co-stars Jerome Ponce (Juanito) and Joseph Marco (Leandro) for giving their all to the project. “So, hindi tayo magpapatinag du’n. Hindi. Ito ay ginagawa ko bilang Carmela at Carmelita, itong proyekto na ito. Iniaalay ko ito, of course, sa ating Diyos, sa management, and sa mga taong nagmamahal. Du’n tayo dapat nagpo-focus. Dapat positive lang tayo.”
Director Mac Alejandre echoed her sentiments, saying he feels “jackpot” with his cast. “Hindi lang magagaling sumagot ang aking mga artista kundi mahuhusay pang umarte,” he remarked.
In the story, Carmela (Heaven), a spoiled brat from the present day, discovers a mysterious diary that transports her to the year 1892. There, she finds herself as her ancestor Carmelita Montecarlos, whose fate intertwines with Juanito (Jerome Ponce), the son of a gobernadorcillo, and Leandro (Joseph Marco), her first love who returns from Cuba.
Caught in a love triangle, Carmela/Carmelita must prevent Carmelita’s marriage to Juanito in order to return to her time, all while facing political scandals and personal tragedies.
The series also features a powerhouse cast, including Christian Vasquez, Maricel Morales, Louise delos Reyes, Anna Luna, Soliman Cruz, Andrea del Rosario, Christopher Roxas, Christine Bermas, Liz Gonzales, and Suzette Ranillo as Madre Olivia.
Based on the widely popular Wattpad novel with over 132 million reads since 2016, ‘I Love You Since 1892’ is produced by Studio Viva in partnership with Webtoon Productions, and will premiere on Viva One starting September 6.
