Jane de Leon. Image: courtesy of Tyronne Escalante and team
Having worked with Jane de Leon for about a year now, LA Santos believes that the lead star of “Darna” is a real-life superhero.
“For me, kaya deserve niya ‘yung Darna kasi she’s a real superhero talaga. She’s very loving lalo na pagdating sa mga bata. One time, ‘yung mga tirang food sa set, pinamigay ni Jane lahat ‘yun sa mga batang nasa labas ng location,” Santos revealed in a solo conference Friday, November 18. (For me, she deservesthe role of Darna because she’s a real superhero, really. She’s very loving when it comes to kids. One time, she gave all the leftover food on the set to the children who were outside the location.)
Santos also marveled at the dedication of de Leon in her work.
“Nakita ko siya na very hardworking person. Doon ako nabilib kay Jane, very consistent na tao. Consistent siya sa training niya, sa workshops niya. Nakita ko siya as totoong Darna dahil sa sacrifice na binibigay niya. Lahat ay ibinigay niya para sa Darna,” he said. (I saw that she’s a very hardworking person. That’s what I admired about her, a very consistent person. She is consistent in her training, in her workshops. I saw her as a real-life Darna because of the sacrifices she did for “Darna”).
Santos was even amazed at how dedicated de Leon is in playing her iconic role.
“Siguro since first cycle namin ay wala pa siyang bakasyon. Kaya nga we’re doing our best to support her. Siya ang gumagawa ng lahat para sa amin. Siya ang nagpo-promote ng Darna. Siya na ang lumalapit sa mga tao kaya kaming lahat ay hangang-hanga sa kanya,” he revealed. (Probably, since our first cycle, she didn’t have a vacation. That’s why we are doing our best to support her. She’s the one doing it all for us. She’s the one promoting “Darna”. She’s the one reaching out to the people , that’s why we all admire her.)
LA Santos. Photos from Eric John Salut
Santos also noted that even Janella Salvador and Kira Balinger reports on the set of their lock-in taping early to do training. What they go through in the taping is immeasurable as it really entails hard work.
“We know that we are making history. Darna ito. Habang-buhay ito. ‘Yun ang na-appreciate ko sa set. Hindi kami nag-iiwanan. Naging iconic siya dahil ‘yung love namin para sa show na ‘yun,” he said. (We know that we are making history. This is Darna. This is for life. That is what I appreciate on the set. We don’t leave anyone behind. It has become iconic because of our love for the show.)
Santos’ role as Richard is pivotal in the series as he was the one who discovered the secret of Narda, the alter ego of Darna. He is currently taking up Music Production at De La Salle’s College of St. Benilde. He is being managed by Lydia Adriano. He also sang one of the soundtracks in “Darna” titled “Di Maghihiwalay”. EDV