In a recent interview, Francine Diaz was asked if she felt afraid or worried that her new love team with Seth Fedelin in the latest Kapamilya prime time offering Dirty Linen will not be accepted by the fans. It can be remembered that the two are part of the group Gold Squad along with Andrea Brillantes and Kyle Echarri. When they did the phenomenal soap Kadenang Ginto, Francine was paired with Kyle while Seth was with Andrea. Now, Francine is being paired with Seth instead.
“Honestly, I just discovered in myself that I’m prepared to work with Seth and in whatever people would say regarding our team-up. Of course, when the project was first offered to me, the nervousness and doubt were there. For one, we don’t know how the public would react. But when the cameras started to grind, I know for myself that I’m prepared for everything,” she said.
If there is one area where the young actress is under pressure, it is the role assigned to her in her new soap.
“I’m nervous not because of the fans’ reaction but of how we’ll pull it off on screen. We don’t want to disappoint Dreamscape Entertainment, particularly Sir Deo (Endrinal). This is not just a so-so project. Heavy preparation is needed.”
Francine points out that Dirty Linen is different from the previous projects she made.
“The recent programs I did were light rom-coms like Bolabola. I rested in doing heavy dramas. Then, the offer to do ‘Dirty Linen’ came. It’s a heavy project. It’s good that our senior co-stars are very nice and supportive. They made work easier for us.
“As for playing the character of Chiara Fiero, I found it really hard at first. Number one, I’m not really one who is English-speaking. In some of our scenes, there are English words that I’m not familiar with and I don’t know the correct pronunciation. But of course, that’s my character so I really have to study to be effective in portraying it.”
On the lighter side, how’s her relationship with Seth?
“Well, as of now, we’re still on the getting-to-know-each-other stage. Is there courtship happening? At this point, there’s none. It’s purely work and being professional. In fact, I was telling Seth that we’re lucky and blessed to be part of a highly-competent cast,” ended Francine.
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For the first time in local television history, GMA-7 and ABS-CBN 2 will collaborate on a grand project called Unbreak My Heart along with the popular streaming site Viu. Just recently, the two rival networks announced on their respective social media platforms what transpired during the contract signing and story conference of the much-anticipated soap opera.
Unbreak My Heart stars Kapuso wards Richard Yap and Gabbi Garcia and Kapamilya talents Jodi Sta. Maria and Joshua Garcia. The project serves as a reunion vehicle for Richard and Jodi who worked together in the highly successful Kapamilya program Be Careful with My Heart in 2012.
When interviewed, Jodi said: “This collaboration will really bring in opportunities not only to the networks, but for the people working in the network, for the people in the industry.”
Richard seconded: “I’m really proud, honored, and excited to be part of this show which is history in the making since this is the first time that two network giants will be working with each other. Of course, I’m also excited to be working with Jodi again and all the other people in the cast!”
Gabbi and Joshua, who will be paired for the first time in the show also share the excitement.
“It’s my first time doing this kind of role. Its growth and depth are remarkable,” Gabby said.
On his part, Joshua expressed: “I feel honored to be part of the cast. It’s exciting to breathe life into the character assigned to me.”
The supporting cast is comprised of industry veterans Laurice Guillen and Eula Valdes along with Nikki Valdez, Bianca de Vera, Maey Bautista, and Will Ashley.
Directed by Emmanuel Quindo Palo and Dolly Dulu, Unbreak My Heart will air on GMA and stream in 15 territories outside the Philippines via Viu.