Rabiya Mateo to play Agent Asha Raj on ‘Agimat ng Agila’ Season 2

From slaying pageants, Rabiya Mateo is now on to show the world how much of a badass she is with her intense action stunts as she plays Agent Asha Raj on “Agimat ng Agila” Season 2.

In a recent online interview with the press, the Miss Universe Philippines 2020 said it was a challenge to switch from being a beauty queen to an actress doing action-heavy roles.

Nevertheless, she said she was ready and she underwent rigorous training to deliver a good job.

“With me being a beauty queen, nandon ’yung finesse, poise. Dito, you have to sweat it out—everything,” said Rabiya.

“Sobrang layo niya po talaga sa pagiging isang beauty queen [pero] I’m loving the challenge,” she added.

“I enrolled myself sa boxing and aside from that, [I have] private sessions with our action director, Erwin Tagle. We do that para ma-condition talaga ’yung body [and] mind ko na this is my character.”

Taping for a fantasy-drama series filled with lots of action, Rabiya said sometimes injuries and pain were inevitable. However, she said she was happy and satisfied with her character.

“I know masakit talaga siya. I know hindi siya biro. Nagkakasakitan talaga, nagkaka-pasaan din. I guess it’s part (of it). I have to be professional about it and magandang training ground siya,” she said.

“Sana in the future, marami pa akong mga action scenes, action series na magawa kasi nakikita ko ang sarili ko rito,” she added. “If there’s pain, there’s power.”

“Agimat ng Agila” Season 2 is Rabiya’s series debut since she became a Kapuso in November. Even as a beginner, she’s been giving her co-stars a good impression as an actress.

“She’s a very good actress and may chemistry rin kami,” said the series’ lead actor, Sen. Bong Revilla, who plays Maj. Gabriel Labrador.

“Nakikita ko na malayo rin ang mararating [niya]. Malay mo maging action queen ’yan,” he said.

“Ang galing sa stunts, matapang, at magaling umarte. ’Di pa nakapag-workshop nang ganon [katagal] ’yan pero ang galing na niya umarte,” he added. “She’s very smart.”

Season 2 of “Agimat ng Agila,” which follows Labrador and his journey to keep mankind and the environment safe, will premiere on GMA-7 on Jan. 29.

Directed by Rico Gutierrez, it also stars Sanya Lopez, Elizabeth Oropesa, Benjie Paras, Gardo Verzosa, Betong Sumaya, Kim de Leon, Lia Salvador, Sandro Muhlach, and Shermaine Santiago, among other actors. – RC, GMA News