MANILA, Philippines - Diana Zubiri said she was disappointed when GMA 7 pulled out her best friend, Sunshine Dizon, from the cast of the TV adaptation of Danny Zialcita’s “Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan.”
“We were so happy to hear we’d be working together. It’s been a long time since ‘Encantadia,’” Diana told some writers on Friday at the Mandarin Suites in Quezon City. “But Sunshine was already in the hospital then.”
Lilybeth Rasonable, GMA 7 assistant VP for Drama, said Sunshine suffered from migraine. The network decided to replace her because “she couldn’t work anymore” under medication, which she needed constantly. “We asked her to get well first,” Rasonable told Inquirer.
Sunshine was replaced by Camille Prats—making a comeback after delivering her first child—in the role of Lily, the character portrayed by Vilma Santos in the screen version.
Diana said she had not spoken with Sunshine since work on the show started. “The subject is kind of sensitive,” the actress said, refusing to elaborate.
Bed scenes
Diana plays Elsa, the embattled character portrayed by Hilda Koronel. To prepare for the role, Diana watched the 1982 movie, produced by Viva Films. She said, “Miss Hilda was good. I really felt her character’s pain. I don’t think I can survive what Elsa went through.”
Diana is teamed up with Marvin Agustin as Louie, earlier played by the late Dindo Fernando. “We have several love scenes,” she said. “In the beginning, it felt awkward. We had to shoot one bed scene four times because he couldn’t stop giggling.”
Could Diana ever fall for a guy like Marvin? “He’s okay. But I can no longer go for men who have kids, like my previous boyfriend—it was sort of traumatic,” she said. She was apparently referring to comedian Vhong Navarro. Marvin has twins, now 3, with ex-girlfriend Tetet Dy. “I deserve my partner’s full attention,” Diana said.
“Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan,” directed by Gil Tejada Jr., also stars Sandy Andolong, Biboy Ramirez, Victor Aliwalas and Maybelyn de la Cruz. It premieres at 4 p.m. today.
