Two years ago, together with her co-actors in the immensely popular primetime melodrama Halik, JC Alcantara, and Gab Lagman, Jane de Leon made it to Arias' “Showbiz's New Batch of Hope,” a list of showbiz newbies to watch out for.
Since that prophecy, Alcantara has become a BL sensation with his partner for reel Tony Labrusca in Hello Stranger. Lagman, on the other hand, continues to be one of showbiz’s most sought-after hunks.
De Leon, of course, is the most celebrated among the trio con brio having bagged the iconic role of Darna and currently being part of the longest-running action drama FPJ’s Ang Probinsiyano.
De Leon is Lia Mante in the five-year-old viewing habit, an expert sniper whose main task is to capture Coco Martin’s Cardo Dalisay, by hook or by crook, come hell or high water, preferably alive rather than dead.
“Lia is an empowered woman,” begins De Leon. “I am fully embracing her now. On the outside, she is one tough cookie but deep inside her, she is a sofite and compassionate. Honestly, I like to give life characters that are courageous, who are not afraid to speak out their minds and express their truths. Ang sarap sa pakiramdam to portray ladies who are not princesses waiting to be saved,” she expressed.
For someone who hasn’t held a gun, being a sniper comes as a welcome jolt.
“When they told me that I will be part of the show, of course, I am most thankful. I only learned that my role is that of a sniper. So when I first arrived on the set for the shoot, binigyan agad ako ng baril. Shocked ako! What will I do with it? I do not know how to use a weapon. I am glad that they were very patient with me. They taught me how to handle it step by step. When they saw I could carry the weapon with confidence, shoot na para sa poster.”
Lia’s role in the life of Cardo Dalisay, “Who will I be in Cardo’s life? I think it’s the most pleasant surprise to the show,” says De Leon. “She is no damsel in distress. So, will I be a foe, a friend, a romantic partner? The answer will unravel in due time.”
Talking about Coco Martin, De Leon had nothing but good words for the television action star saying he’s very gentlemanly and the utmost professional.
“Maasikaso. Very creative. And works and supervises well the people and staff. Hindi ko pa siya nakikitang magalit. Laging cool. Naka-smile. We talk a lot during breaks. He tells me his struggles when he was just beginning his career. When he shares to you yung mga pinagdaanan niya, nakakatuwa kasi dama mo ang sincerity and daming aral.”
De Leon believes that her being the latest showbiz “It Girl” did not happen overnight. She said it took her five years to finally find her spot in showbiz.
“I know that there is a perfect time for everything. What I did while waiting for it was to improve myself, physically, especially emotionally. I surrounded myself with great people na positive rin ang outlook sa buhay,” she utters.
“Now, I cannot afford to be complacent. I need to give my A-game all the time. I was given this big task to be Lia and the next Dana, I wanted to assure the big bosses that they made the right decision,” she ends.
