An ex on the set doesn’t distract Michelle Madrigal

MICHELLE Madrigal

“We’re no longer close,” said actress Michelle Madrigal when asked to describe her relationship with ex-boyfriend Jon Hall, whom she will be working with once again in the GMA 7 drama series, “Love and Lies.”

Michelle, however, said she has no problem being in the same show with the actor-ramp model. “Of course, there will be that awkward feeling, but I’m not worried because I know we won’t have a lot of scenes together, anyway,” she told the Inquirer.

In “Love and Lies,” Michelle plays Cathy, wife to Philippine Navy officer Edward Galvez (Richard Gutierrez). Cathy gets kidnapped. The series revolves around the hunt for her kidnappers.

“Jon, who also plays a soldier, is often on our set in the Navy station in Sangley Point, Cavite. I, on the other hand, reports to a different set with Richard,” Michelle pointed out.

“Jon and I broke up a long time ago. We both have new partners now. We’re civil… We say hello when we bump into each other,” the actress added.

Michelle and Jon fell in love while working on the reality show “Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Showdown” in July 2010. They broke up in February 2011. They last worked together in the adventure show “Captain Barbell,” which aired in March 2011.

“What’s important now is that wala nang tarayan at sungitan (there is no more bickering),” the actress said. “We’re both professional actors. We shouldn’t be burdening the other members of the production team with our issues.”

Michelle said she intends to give the show her full attention, especially since she plays one of its lead characters. “I already feel the pressure. Cathy is the lynchpin of the series,” she explained. “My goal for this role is to showcase my capabilities as an actor rather than show more skin.”

She added: “It doesn’t help, either, that our show will replace the top-rating program ‘Temptation of Wife.’ The expectations are high. I’m confident that the series will be successful because working behind it is a team of brilliant and talented people.”

Mark A. Reyes directs the series. It also features Bela Padilla, Sid Lucero, Paolo Contis, Neil Ryan Sese, Miguel Tanfelix, Jeric Gonzales, Thea Tolentino, Bobby Andrews, Melissa de Leon, Lloyd Samartino and Luz Valdez.