Claire Castro, Gina Alajar react to viral backhand slap in 'Nagbabagang Luha'
Gina Alajar surprised even her co-stars in "Nagbabagang Luha" after she delivered an impromptu backhand slap towards Claire Castro in one emotionally charged scene of the GMA afternoon prime series.
Glaiza De Castro, Mike Tan, and Rayver Cruz were also in the scene, and from their reactions, it was obvious that they did not see the slap coming.
In Lhar Santiago's report on "24 Oras," Claire said everyone thought Gina would turn to face her first before the slap, but the veteran actress had other ideas.
"Sabi ko kay Direk Ricky (Davao), sinuggest ko na imbes na pagkaharap ko sampalin ko siya dito, since nandito na ito, i-backhand ko na siya," Gina said.
"Meron nakapagsabi sa akin nun, kapag sinampal ka raw ng patalikod, 'yung backhand, it's very humiliating," she added.
Aside from the backhand slap, Gina dragged Claire away, shoved her face into a cake, and poured liquid into her head following the revelation of her character Cielo's treachery.
"Siguro po halos 40 minutes akong naligo after nun. Kasi po 'yung sa hair ko ayaw pong matanggal, sa ears ko po ang dami," Claire said about the aftermath of the scene.
"Pero ang saya po ng scene na 'yun for me kasi lahat po siguro nung mga pinagdadaanan ko sa personal life ko nalabas ko po dun by crying," she added.
Gina hugged her after the scene and apologized for the backhand slap.
"Talagang napalakas 'yung sampal ko. Tapos sabi niya, 'No, it's OK po, I can take it.' Napakabait naman nung batang 'yun," she said.
Meanwhile, Glaiza also posted a clip of the scene on her Instagram account.
"'Yung nagulat din kami nila @imiketan at @rayvercruz sa nangyari sa eksena pero kailangang mag stay in character," said Glaiza, who plays Maita, Cielo's older sister.
"Grabe yown!" Rayver said.
"Jusme itong eksenang ito! Naguluhan na ko pagkasampal ni direk @ginalajar," Mike added.
Other Kapuso stars such as Rochelle Pangilinan, Rodjun Cruz, Bea Binene, Shaira Diaz, Sofia Pablo, and Ina Feleo gushed over the intensity of the scene.
"Sana masampal n'yo rin po ako Direk," Ken Chan quipped.
"Nagbabagang Luha" is based on Ishmael Bernal's 1988 film of the same title, starring Lorna Tolentino, Alice Dixson, Gabby Concepcion, and Richard Gomez.
—MGP, GMA News