Issa Litton proudly says, “Love ko si Kate!”
TV and events host Issa Litton may be one of the most hated characters in GMA Network’s Afternoon Prime series “Unica Hija.” However, it does not appear to be the same behind the scenes.
In the show, Litton plays Tamara Saavedra-Vergara AKA TSV, one of the scientists who is after Hope (Kate Valdez) after finding out that she is a clone. The existence of Hope shows the successful of the cloning experimentation they did years ago that would rake in millions.
TSV is also the mother of Ralph (Kelvin Miranda), the love interest of Hope in the show.
When FreebieMNL and GMANetwork.com caught up with her during the “Gifted Together” event, Litton professes her love for the young artists she worked with on the show.
Litton, in fact, can only say good words for its lead star, Kate Valdez, who got her first title role in the series.
Litton says, “I love them. I won’t deny. Nag-bonding kami ni Kelvin so that helped, especially when I have to play mother to a child.
“[But] this one, I got closer to Kate because there were more scenes with Kate actually. With Kelvin, we had a couple of days, but it was also really well-bonded. I’m close with the two, and also si Jemwell [Ventilla]! So, we all had fun, we had our moments on the set, but love ko si Kate!”
Aside from being close to Valdez, Litton also enjoyed doing scenes with her as well as with her other co-stars, Katrina Halili and Bernard Palanca.
“I’m so proud, I really really am so proud—Kate Valdez, Kelvin Miranda. I love playing opposite BJ (Bernard’s nickname), so everyone involved. At si Katrina, ang intense! Napaka-intense. Ang sarap ng cast and just to be able to play with all of them.”
Issa Litton on playing a kontrabida role
As expected, Litton’s kontrabida role gets on the nerve of “Unica Hija” viewers. When asked for her reaction, she exclaims, “Oh my gosh, I’m hated now?!“
She then recalls her previous role in the defunct primetime series “First Yaya” as one of Melody’s allies. Melody, the lead character, was played by Sanya Lopez.
But more than anything, the esteemed TV host is happy to be able to show her acting chops through Kapuso teleseryes.
She says, “Let’s not forget naman I was a godmother muna kay first yaya, kay Melody. I really love the opportunity because napapakita ko yung range, very grateful to GMA for all the opportunities they’re giving me.
“I am very very grateful na naipapakita lang yung kaya kong gawin so I like na nakakakuha ako ng reaction. Mabuti na yung may reaction so, hate, love, you cheer for me, you boo me. Buti nga may reaction, it means effective.”
Litton is more popular as a host, which is why she’s happy that she gets to do her “first real love.” She tells FreebieMNL, “This is really my other love and a lot of people think baguhan ako sa acting, maybe in mainstream. But acting has always been a real first love. To be honest, people think I host more and all that, but acting is my first love and I’m really so happy that I get to do it more.”
Unica Hija on being an out-of-the-box concept
As for “Unica Hija,” Litton admires the hardwork of the writers and the production team who carefully crafted the characters.
She narrates, “I love how fleshed out the characters are, hindi always monotonous, hindi siya straight line, may arko. And here’s the nice part: it’s a very deep humanity question pero may science! Kailan ka nakakita ng show na ganun? Ang ganda at ang galing ng writing.”
She also appreciates how GMA Network is banking and exploring more out-of-the-box concepts such as this one. “It really just goes to show na pinu-push ng GMA ang limits ng storytelling, and it goes to show also na interesado ang audience. Let’s not keep giving the usual formula. Ang ganda na nag-e-explore tayo ng mga iba’t ibang stories nowadays. So, for the good of the audience, for the good of storytelling, keep watching!”
“Unica Hija” is down to its last two weeks on air.
Banner Image Paulo Correa
