The May 7 episode of Kapamilya Chat was filled with laughter and insightful moments as Kapamilya actress Alexa Ilacad shared her thrilling experience filming ABS-CBN Studios’ first vertical drama, working in a loveteam with Gelo Rivera of BGYO, and rediscovering her love for the comedy genre.
Alexa takes on “The Chambermaid's Daughter”
During a brief kumustahan, Alexa expressed her gratitude for being “booked and busy,” with plenty of shows and opportunities coming her way. Among them is the iWant’s vertical drama “The Chambermaid's Daughter,” where she stars alongside Gelo Rivera in their first project together.
In this series, Alexa portrays the role of Hannah Montano, a chambermaid hired by a Korean guest as his private translator. She outlined her character as a ‘woman of today’ and ‘feisty,’ sharing, “Meron siyang mga pangarap na gusto niyang matupad… and then she meets Daniel Jeon (Gelo Rivera),” she said.
Alexa also revealed some behind-the-scenes tidbits from their three-day shoot, saying it often felt like she was simply playing around and having fun. She noted that, as an artist, she was able to explore more through the romantic-comedy project. “Hindi ko usually ginagawa ’yung ganong acting. I was really living,” she shared, adding that she was also able to incorporate more ad-libs into her dialogues.
Alexa on working with Gelo Rivera
“The Chambermaid's Daughter” marks Alexa’s first onscreen collaboration with male lead Gelo Rivera, a team-up that quickly gained strong support from fans. Asked about their chemistry, Alexa acknowledged that everything with Gelo felt effortless. “Ang maganda sa amin, natapon na ’yung ilang. Everything was just so natural,” she shared.
She also shared that even before she noticed their spark, fans and people around them were already pointing out how good she and Gelo looked together, especially during their performance on “ASAP.” Alexa found it endearing that everyone noticed their connection before she did—and, as it turned out, they were right. She described their pairing as “organic.”
Alexa also praised Gelo as an actor, saying, “I have to applaud him talaga,” and noting that the series revealed a different side of him. Known as a P-pop idol and member of BGYO, Gelo impressed viewers by fully showcasing his acting skills.
Without giving away too much, Alexa shared that she had a few unforgettable scenes from the series. One involved Hannah’s encounter with Daniel inside his room, where she mistook something for a blower. “Sobra siyang [Gelo] game, lahat ng suggestion ko [okay siya]. Nakikita ko na vina-value niya ’yung opinion ko,” she said. Alexa also admired Gelo for being cooperative and allowing her to take the lead at times.
On the audience's warm reception
Filming a vertical drama was also a unique experience for Alexa Ilacad. With the tighter frame, she explained that they had to move closer together to fit the screen and avoid missing their blocking. “Hindi pwedeng malaking movement or sobrang gaslaw kasi sukat ka lang. Dapat kasya ka sa phone,” she shared. Despite the adjustment, the project brought her and Gelo Rivera even closer as friends.
On the positive feedback “The Chambermaid's Daughter” has received since its premiere, Alexa admitted she was surprised. “I knew naman na ang ganda nung project, pero hindi ko in-expect ’yung magiging reaction ng mga tao,” she said, adding that she felt happily overwhelmed by the love and support the series has been receiving. “Maraming salamat po sa lahat ng nag-stream.”
Netizens also raved about Alexa’s versatility, praising her ability to take on any genre. She confessed that she felt kilig over the reviews, saying, “It feels nice na naa-appreciate at na-va-validate. I really try to give my best sa lahat ng ginagawa ko. I’m very thankful.” Alexa added that comedy is her first love, and she was delighted to revisit the genre through the series.
“The Chambermaid’s Daughter” marks ABS-CBN Studios’ first offering in the microdrama format, told through short, easy-to-watch episodes designed for quick viewing, as it joins iWant’s growing lineup of vertical dramas.
Watch “The Chambermaid’s Daughter” and see how one unexpected romance changes everything on iWant, with the first five episodes available for free on the iWant app, ABS-CBN Facebook, and iWant YouTube channel.
READ: ABS-CBN Studios debuts first vertical drama “The Chambermaid’s Daughter” on iWant