It’s Great to be Good!

After two consecutive kontrabida roles, Jean Garcia finally gets to play a good girl again in Mars Ravelo’s “Dyesebel,” where she portrays Lucia, the reigning queen of Sirinea who gives up her royal life underwater to be with the man she loves. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Adjusting as Lucia She starts off as the quintessential “api,” who is naïve in the ways of the world and who thinks love is all she needs to survive. “[I’m nice again] for a change, [so] I’m happy!” shares Jean. “And medyo may kaunting adjustments [nga lang]. Kasi, kung baga, dalawang teleserye na puro salbahi [ako], di ba? May hang over pa ako doon!” Jean was Betty in Impostora (2007) and Amanda Cardinale in La Vendetta (2007)—both hard core villains on the small screen. She adds, “Pero [sa] awa naman ng Diyos, mukhang okay naman [ako ngayon].” She admits that it’s actually easier to be good, because being bad consumes so much energy. “It’s so hard to be bad! Kasi yung energy, iba pag kontrabida—malalaki ang movements, tapos yung energy mo, [negative]! [At] mahirap magpakasalbahi, ha! Even in real life!” Jean says that it’s great working with direk Joyce Bernal, whom she describes as “cool.” “She’s very nice, very good, and supportive. Siya yung klase ng tao na hindi maiilang sa kanya ang iba—you’re at home; relaxed ka. Ang artista kasi, pag relaxed sa director, lumalabas [ang best performance]. So that’s Bb. Joyce Bernal [for you!] Kaisa-isang Bb. Joyce Bernal.” The twist Lucia, Jean’s character, may have started out good, but her character eventually finds a voice and seeks revenge. After reinventing herself, she returns as a compassionless mother and wife to her new family—Shiela Mae (Kris Bernal) and Don Juan (Ricky Davao). Let’s admit it, though: her role may have changed, but we all know that in the end, she’s bound to be good again. “Maganda rin yung mga scenes namin with Marian Rivera (Dyesebel/Isabel), kasi mother niya ako dito, pero hindi namin alam. Exciting yung mga yun. Actually—yung grupo nina Don Juan with [my character’s stepson] Fredo (Dingdong Dantes) and [Shiela Mae], [masaya].” Jean imparts that acting with Marian is a breeze. “’Swak.’ She’s very nice, and very easy to work with. Magaan lahat, e—magaan yung set, production, staff—kasi si direk, siya yung ‘captain ng ship.’ Pag relax ang director, relax ang lahat.” Jean also had to don a mermaid’s tail and extremely long hair extensions during the first part of the series. How was it like? “Mabigat [yung extensions, ha]!” she exclaims with a laugh. “Lalo na pag wet!” Tapos napu-pull yung hair mo, kasi may clip lang siya. So kaunting movements, masakit na. Mahirap siya!” It was the same case for her tail. “Mayroon akong flash back na reyna ako. So may one scene ako sa studio na naka-tail.—not underwater, though.” Is she looking forward to underwater scenes in the future episodes? “Sana wala!” she jokes. “Mahirap, e! Mabigat yung buntot!” Her beauty secret Aside from Dyesebel, Jean has an upcoming flick titled Loving You, where she plays a character involved in a May-December love affair. “Bale puro mga taga-call center silang magkakaibigan—five yata sila,” she explains. “Tapos ita-tackle yung buhay-buhay nila. Ako [yung kasama sa story ni] Polo Ravales. It’s a feel-good movie na love story na may kaunting drama. Nakakatawa rin.” This 38-year old seems to grow more beautiful as she ages. What’s her secret? “BioEssence!” she answers, saying that she really does use the products of the skincare clinic she endorses. “[And of course], stay happy and contented. Wala namang sikreto diyan e, basta kontento ka.” Don’t forget to tune in to Mars Ravelo’s Dyesebel every weeknight after Codename: Asero to catch the ever-blooming Ms. Jean! Text JEAN to 4627 to Feel the Fun with Fanatxt! To receive picture messages form her phone, text GOMMS JEAN ON and sent to 4627. (Each SMS costs P2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, TM, and TALK N TEXT, while it costs P5.00 for SUN subscribers. This service is exclusively available in the Philippines.)