Janine Gutierrez admitted that she’s a big fan of costume transformation videos. Matter of fact, she spends hours watching them online. So, when she’s offered with a role in Dragon Lady that would allow her to transform using prosthetics, she didn’t think twice—it’s one item ticked off her bucket list.
“I am a big fan of costume transformations…those videos on time-lapse showing how they transform using prosthetics. I really enjoy watching them,” the 29-year-old actress shared in an interview.
In her new soap, Janine prepares for three hours with a team that put together her look—a dragon lady.
“It’s a long process, but it’s worth it when it’s all done. The effect is so real,” she gushed.
Janine breathes life into Celestina Sanchez, a young lady who is born with dragon-like features. Her physical traits and mystical power unleash the independent and fierce lady boss in her, the dragon lady that she is destined to be.
In the series, she is paired with actor Tom Rodriguez who plays the role of a Filipino-Chinese named Michael Chan. The character is an adventurous and a non-conformist, he refuses to meddle with the family business. Forced to prove his mettle to his Chinese family, he allows himself to become instrumental in the downfall of Celestina who later on he falls for so passionately.
“The series has an exciting premise. It’s a romantic drama fused with some element of fantasy because of the main character’s appearance. The story itself is deeply rooted on Chinese-Filipino culture, tradition, and superstition-— something that’s good for primetime viewing but we are putting it on the afternoon block because we are game changers, we want to change the viewing habits of the televiewers,” Hazel Abonita, the series program manager, told Manila Standard.
Playing vital roles in the lives of Celestina and Michael are James Blanco as Bryan Atienza, Celestina’s father figure; Diana Zubiri as Almira Sanchez, Celestina’s mother who loves her unconditionally and protects her at all costs; Maricar De Mesa as Vera Lim-Chua, a Chinese heiress who looks down on people not of the same stature as her; Joyce Ching as Astrid Chua, Vera’s daughter who will be Celestina’s greatest rival in business and in love; and Edgar Allan Guzman as Goldwyn Chen, a business tycoon who came from a rich Chinese family who criticizes Celestina’s capability to run a business.
Also starring in this fascinating series are Odette Khan as Doray, trusted assistant of the Lim’s; Dexter Doria as Philippa Chua, a formidable Chinese woman and Vera’s mother-in-law; Lovely Abella as Ginger Garcia, funny, free-spirited and loyal best friend of Almira; Julie Lee as Lotus, Vera’s sophisticated friend;DJ Durano as James Liu, right-hand man of Vera.
The pilot week of Dragon Lady features Bea Binene as young Almira; Derrick Monasterio as young Charles; and Kristoffer Martin as young Bryan; together with Mr. Leo Martinez as Wilson Lim, Vera’s father and a ruthless businessman who is a descendant of a family of dragon worshippers; Isabelle De Leon as young Vera; Denise Barbacena as young Ginger; Mosang as young Doray; Carlene Aguilar as young Philippa; and Lorenz Martinez as young Wilson Lim.
Rafael Rosell will have a special participation as Matthew Chan, the responsible and hardworking older brother of Michael with a secret of his own.
The series highlights that life can be led by luck, hard work and misfortunes. How can a man unlock a woman’s potential and liberate her spirit by unraveling a family’s deeply guarded secret?
The series is a product of the visionary minds of John Kenneth U. De Leon, Erwin Caezar Bravo (brainstormers); John Borgy Danao, Christine B. Novicio (writers); Renato Custodio, Jr. (head writer); under the tutelage of the Creative Team headed by Ally Adlawan (creative director); Dode Cruz(creative head); Kit Langit (creative consultant); under the capable supervision of the Production team headed by Lilybeth G. Rasonable (SVP For EG), Ms. Redgie Magno (VP For Drama), Cheryl Ching-Sy (AVP for Drama), Ms. Hazel Felizmenio Abonita (Senior Program Manager), James Manabat (Executive Producer).
At the helm of this upcoming series is respected film and TV director Paul Sta. Ana. He was known for his well-loved films such as Oros, Huling Pasada, Mayohan, and #Walang Forever. Direk Paul was the director of the longest-running soap for 2018, The Stepdaughters.
Don’t miss the highly-anticipated world premiere of Dragon Lady today after Eat Bulaga. It airs from Monday to Saturday, on GMA Afternoon Prime.
Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.