Kapamilya star Maymay Entrata admitted that her experience working on Roja has made her eager to take on more action projects in the future.
During the show’s finale media conference, Maymay shared that her character, Luna Javier, was not originally meant to have action scenes.
“Noong sinabi nila na action nga po yung genre, yung totoo nga po yung character ko dapat walang action. Sabi ko, 'Kung action na lang din po yung genre, pwede sama niyo na lang din po ako (gumawa ng action scenes) kasi gusto ko din talagang matuto,'” Maymay said.
The actress-singer admitted she could hardly believe that her longtime dream of being part of an action project finally came true.
“Pati ako di po ako makapaniwala na ipinagkatiwala po nila sa akin itong genre na to pero matagal ko na din pong sinasabi na sobrang pinakagusto ko at pangarap ko talagang gawin ay yung action talaga po,” she shared.
She added that she never actively asked for such a role but felt that the opportunity came at the right time.
“Hindi naman po ako naghahangad kumbaga na, ‘Bigyan niyo na po akong action ma’am, sige na oh.’ Hindi naman po. Kusa na lang siyang dumating sa tamang panahon na kung saan ready ako — mentally, physically, emotionally — tapos ready na rin po akong mag-acting,” she added.
Although her action scenes were limited, Maymay underwent three days of training to properly execute the moves and fight sequences.
“Tapos nung nag-training na po ng action, super locked in ako kasi three days lang po yung training ko para magawa ko yung tamang suntok,” she expressed.
Maymay said she is more than willing to take on similar roles in the future.
“Yes po, 100% po (na gusto ko mag-action.) Kaya po kapag may nagtatanong sa akin kung ano yung pinakamahirap na action, wala talaga kasi sobrang na-e-enjoy ko siya kaya hindi ko nga nagamit yung double ko kasi (sinasabi ko po kung) 'pwede ako na po lahat? Please ako na lahat. Gagawin ko po talaga.' So ayun, kung gagawin ko siya ulit, 100% talagang tatanggapin ko po,” Maymay stated.
In a previous interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Maymay opened up about her love for the action genre, which eventually inspired her to return to acting projects.
"Dati pa lang po, sobrang sobrang fan na ako ng action movies, action series and alam iyan ng mga sumusuporta sa akin and ang tagal ko rin hindi po nag-acting dahil gusto ko po una mag-focus sa music and mag-spend ng more time doon sa nanay ko noong buhay pa siya,” Maymay said.
“Thankful ako na bliness agad ako ni Lord after one-month na mawala si Nanay and pinitch sa akin yung Roja. tinanaong ko kung ano pong genre and sabi po, action kaya maiyak-iyak din po ako talaga kaya sabi ko yes po.”
READ: EXCLUSIVE: Maymay Entrata describes ‘ROJA’ as a dream come true
Maymay also revealed that performing action scenes came naturally to her, as she had learned basic self-defense from her family when she was younger.
Catch the finale week of Roja weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, and ALLTV, as well as via Kapamilya Online Live and iWant. The series is also available for streaming on Netflix.