Shaina Magdayao gets by with a lot of love in her ‘single’ life

SHAINA Magdayao (right) with costars Isabelle Daza and Gerald Anderson

“I am single but not loveless,” said Shaina Magdayao, who insists she has not dated anyone since she broke up with actor John Lloyd Cruz in 2012.

She has been romantically linked, however, to Sam Milby, Piolo Pascual and TV director Lino Cayetano.

“Love … is never really absent in my life,” Shaina, 25, told the Inquirer during a press conference for “Nathaniel,” her latest ABS-CBN drama series. “It doesn’t have to come from one person. My heart overflows with love from my family, friends and all the other people who appreciate me.”

A possibility

Asked if she was ready to fall in love again, Shaina said it was a “possibility,” just not a “priority.”

Her priority, she said, is to make her screen partnership with Gerald Anderson work. She plays Rachelle, wife to Gerald’s character Paul. They break up after their son, Nathaniel, dies in a car accident.

“Rachelle blames Paul for Nathaniel’s death. They got married too young to have the wisdom to handle tragedy. Rachelle has a hard time moving on,” Shaina related.

The actress disagrees with the character, who gives up on her marriage. “Just like most things, it’s one’s decision to either stay in love or give up on it,” Shaina said.

“What viewers should look forward to is the couple’s healing,” director Darnel Villaflor pointed out. “They have different ways of coping with the loss—Rachelle blames her husband, and Paul resents his wife as a result.”

Added Shaina, “I guess that’s how viewers will be able to relate to the characters—they are conflicted and confused.”

Positive feedback

The actress has heard of the positive viewer feedback on her performance in the first few episodes. “I’m very glad they liked what they saw, though I don’t know exactly how I pulled it off. I do know that I pray constantly. Many scenes are emotionally draining. It helps that I’m working with very good directors.”

Villaflor is codirecting the series with Francis Xavier Pasion. “Working with Shaina is a breeze,” said Villaflor. “She and Gerald are supportive of each other. Besides, she loves children, so it’s not a problem for her to work with babies.”

Nathaniel is played by Marco Antonio Masa. The series also features Yesha Camile as Nathaniel’s foster sister Abi.

More talented

“I was only 6 when I became part of the series ‘Lira,’” Shaina recalled. “I can see that [Marco and Yesha] are more talented than I was at that age. During one taping, Marco knew my lines better than I did. He has a really sharp memory. These kids enjoy what they’re doing. As actors, they will surely go a long way.”

The series also features Coney Reyes, Pokwang, Jason Gainza, Benjie Paras, among others. It replaced “Dream Dad” on the Kapamilya prime time block.

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