Joshua Garcia, Jane Oineza, Ria Atayde, KD Estrada try comedy for a change

(From left) Joshua Garcia, Jane Oineza, Ria Atayde, KD Estrada. Images: Instagram/@starmagicphils

While Joshua Garcia, Jane Oineza, Ria Atayde, and KD Estrada have been carving their own paths in drama roles, they can all agree that entering the comedic route is a much-needed break from their routine.

Garcia plays the role of Renz Isidro in the ABS-CBN-GMA collab drama “Unbreak My Heart,” while Oineza and Atayde are usually at each other’s throats as Olivia and Melinda, respectively, in “Nag-aapoy na Damdamin.” Estrada, meanwhile, portrays Elon Lamadrid in the afternoon drama “Pira-Pirasong Paraiso.”

This time though, the foursome took a break from their dramatic personas for a less intense atmosphere in the Joel Ferrer-helmed comedy film “Fruitcake.”

“Sa ‘Unbreak My Heart,’ pa-psycho na ko d’un eh. At least dito, masaya lang. Masaya lang sa set. Walang pressure na dadating ka sa set na magpe-prepare ka ng monologue na mahaba. At least mas relaxed lang. Nagtatrabaho ka, pero relaxed ka pa rin,” Garcia said, who laughed while recalling the darker route of his character in “Unbreak My Heart.”

(In “Unbreak My Heart,” I’m close to being a psycho there. At least here, it’s happy. I’m happy on set. There’s no pressure to prepare for long monologues. At least it’s more relaxed. I mean, you’re still working but you feel more relaxed.)

Since Garcia has become known for being a dramatic actor, he found that making people laugh has become more “challenging.” He hoped that this would be the start of him venturing into more lighthearted roles in the future.

“Actually, masaya ako kasi similar ang character sa’kin. And dito, nakakahinga ako kasi sa set, masaya lang,” he said. “Sana matawa ang mga tao para malaman ko kung may lugar ako sa comedy.” (I’m glad that my character is similar to my real-life persona. I can breathe here because it’s happy on set. I hope people would enjoy this so I would know if I have a place in comedy.)

Estrada, who thanked INQUIRER.net for “considering [him] as a drama actor” during the press conference, said working in the comedy film is a “transitional project” as he’s doing “more mature roles” now.

“It is the most physically tiring one that I’ve ever done. Because I did so much stuff. Pero within the cast, [I’m] one of the youngest because my character is in high school. It revolves around the hierarchy of cool kids, weirdos, and all that stuff. This is the least serious role that I’ve done. It’s just a breath of fresh air,” he said.

On the other hand, Atayde and Oineza appeared to be the complete opposite of their “Nag-aapoy na Damdamin” characters as they were laughing loudly and trading funny exchanges with each other during the mediacon.

“I think it was such a relief. It was such a good break because sometimes when you get into your heavy drama roles, you sometimes forget who you are. Sometimes, you get carried away. It’s nice that we have this in between so we can breathe for a while,” Atayde said.

The “Halik” star immediately shook her head no when asked if there was a moment that she ever butt heads with Oineza and Garcia, two of which are known to be her close friends in real life, saying she’s “clingy” with the latter.

“It was such a light working environment. Iba rin ang dynamics namin ni Jane sa ‘Nag-aapoy na Damdamin,’ pero with Josh, since sobrang busy niya, ngayon lang kami nagkita. Sa tent, clingy rin kami (It was such a light working environment,” said Atayde.

LOOK: The cast of the upcoming comedy film “Fruitcake” hold a media conference ahead of its premiere.

The movie stars Joshua Garcia, Heaven Peralejo, Ria Atayde, Jane Oineza, Empoy Marquez, KD Estrada, Dominic Ochoa, and Karina Bautista. [1/2] | @HMallorcaINQ pic.twitter.com/sumN799FNk

— Inquirer (@inquirerdotnet) September 23, 2023

Oineza, who was part of the comedy show “Goin’ Bulilit,” admitted that she has missed taking lighthearted roles since then. While admitting that making people laugh is “harder,” she took it as a challenge to be more “open” to her scene partner.

“It’s really refreshing. I really missed comedy… inaabangan ko na ring gumawa ng something lighter. Mahirap timplahin ang comedy kaysa sa drama kasi it’s about timing and being open with your scene partner para hindi kayo nagiging KJ sa isa’t isa,” she said.

(It’s really refreshing. I really missed comedy. I’ve been waiting to do something lighter. While it’s hard doing comedy compared to drama, I learned the value of timing and being open with your scene partner so you wouldn’t be a killjoy towards one another.)

The upcoming film also stars Heaven Peralejo, Empoy Marquez, Enchong Dee, Dominic Ochoa, Markus Paterson, Victor Anastacio, Macoy Dubs, and Queeny, among others. EDV