Jane Oineza in “Angel of Mine” episode
“For me, every day is Valentine’s Day,” said actress Jane Oineza when asked to share with reporters her plans to celebrate the Day of Hearts.
Jane has been dating actor RK Bagatsing since early 2021.
“I’ll actually be at work on that day. This is not really a problem. We can celebrate Valentine’s Day either earlier or later, or even everyday because that’s how (RK has) always made me feel,” said Jane during the virtual media gathering to promote the “Angel of Mine” episode of the drama anthology “Maalaala Mo Kaya” (MMK) that airs today.
In the series, Jane is paired with New Zealander-Filipino actor Kit Thompson, who said he would be at work on V-Day, too. Kit has been dating new actress Ana Jalandoni since December 2021.
Kit Thompson in “Angel of Mine”
“Yes, Valentine’s Day is so special this year because I have work. I always say every day can be Valentine’s Day as long as I have money to spend,” he quipped.
Meanwhile, onscreen partners Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza, collectively known as “KarJon,” were asked whether they see each other as somebody date-worthy in real life.
Aljon replied: “Of course, Karina is. She makes time for you no matter how busy she is. I guess, that’s her love language. For me, that’s a big factor.”
KarJon is the featured act in the Feb. 26 episode of MMK, titled “Love Ko ‘To.”
Karina, meanwhile, described Aljon as “a very genuine person. You will see this in his reactions to people he meets. There’s rawness and innocence. That’s how I know that the emotion he shows is real. I appreciate him for that. ”
Karina Bautista in “Love Ko ‘To”
Quality time
Kit agreed with Karina that “quality time is also very important … I’m always busy so if I take time to be with you, then you’re important to me, too.”
Jane, meanwhile, said she shows her love through physical touch. “I love hugging. I’m kind of clingy, but I also appreciate you spending quality time with me,” she pointed out.
Director Jerome Pobocan explained that “Angel of Mine” is the love story of John (Kit) and Angelica (Jane) and how they will eventually fight a big obstacle in their relationship, “that is breast cancer,” he added. “The topic is kind of heavy, even for Valentine’s Day, but it’s every inspiring. We will see how they made a life together despite the illness.”
“When I read the script, I really connected with the piece,” said Kit. “To be honest, I was able to relate to the character in terms of wanting to love and be loved. Like him, I’m also a hopeless romantic.”
Jane said she was drawn to Angelica because of the latter’s positive outlook in life. “That’s also why I really wanted to give justice to the role. The fact that Angel has trust issues added another interesting layer to portraying her,” she said.
Director Raz dela Torre, meanwhile, said he and KarJon have yet to shoot the “Love Ko ‘To” episode at the time of the presscon. Raz pointed out that this was “lighter” compared to the earlier episode.
Aljon Mendoza in “Love Ko ‘To” episode
Despite differences
“February is special for MMK. We always try our best to come up with different types of love stories. This particular episode is the story of Theza (Karina) and John (Aljon) when they were around 19 to 23 years old. Despite differences in their status in life, they fell in love.”
Aljon said his character is “very charming and genuine, but he has an emotional baggage … [but] he is a very supportive boyfriend to Theza.”
Karina added: “My character is a working-student. She comes from a poverty-stricken family. Theza works hard for her family and is selfless.”
MMK airs every Saturday at 8:30 p.m. on the Kapamilya Channel, A2Z, Kapamilya Online Live YouTube channel, ABS-CBN Entertainment Facebook page, and iWantTFC.