YNNA Asistio joined showbiz when she was 15 years old in 2006, hosting the youth-oriented show “Candies” for GMA-7. She then did several shows with them and even movies with GMA Films. In 2013, she moved to ABS-CBN and also did a number of shows with them, but she was never given a lead role.
Now, she finally gets the chance to play the lead in Eagle Broadcasting Net 25’s first drama series, “Ang Daigdig Ko’y Ikaw”, written by Bing Villanueva, directed by the award-winning indie filmmaker (“Pamilya Ordinaryo”, “Quick Change”, “Fuckbois”) Eduardo Roy and with Nestor Malgapo Jr as executive producer.
“Pinag-pray ko po talaga ito,” Ynna says at the show’s launch at the Iglesia ni Cristo Museum where the presscon was held. “And I’m so thankful God answered my prayers.”
We remember that Ynna posted a video some months ago showing her crying and saying she’s tired and she’s surrendering herself to the Lord.
“I felt so down that time,” she admits. “Parang nawala ako kay Lord and wala akong work, may pandemic at lockdown pa. So I talked to Him directly and asked for His help. Now I want to share with people na with God, you will know the right direction. And God has answered my prayers. When you make God the center of your life, everything will fall into the right place. Now, I’m super happy with the break Net 25 is giving me in ‘Ang Daigdig Ko’y Ikaw’.”
She learned never to lose hope. “We should never give up kasi when God makes the way, everything will go right. After 14 years in the industry, now lang ako nabigyan ng ganitong break. At first, kabado ako, kasi andami naming pinagpilian and I’m glad ako ang napili. Nervous din ako with my acting, but with the help of our director, Eduardo Roy, and my leading man, Geoff Eigenmann, nabalik ‘yung confidence ko sa harap ng kamera. They guide me and support me lalo na sa mabibigat na eksena.”
How is it working with Geoff? “At first, naiilang pa ako kay Geoff. Kasi ‘hi, hello’ lang kami noon sa ‘Party Pilipinas’ ng GMA. I thought aloof siya, but my first impression was wrong, kasi he’s so easy to work with. First day pa lang, he tried to bond agad not just with me kundi sa lahat ng kasama namin sa set. And Direk Edong Roy says we have good rapport and chemistry on screen, lalo na kapag nagkukulitan kami, so I’m really grateful na siya ang nakapareha ko. He’s very professional at napakagaan katrabaho.”
In the story, she plays Reina Dimayuga, the daughter of a wealthy couple who owns the only hotel in their town. She dreams of being a classical singer but tragedy strikes their family and she becomes the primary caregiver of her ailing, wheelchair-bound mom, played by Tanya Gomez. She also helps her dad, played by Manolo Silayan, to manage their hotel.
Supporting them in equally important roles are Elizabeth Oropesa as their town’s mayor, AJ Muhlach as Elizabeth’s lawyer son, Richard Quan and Shiela Marie Rodriguez as the parents of Geoff, Blaise del Mundo as Geoff’s younger sister, Ariella Roces as Ynna’s best friend, Anna Muhlach as a nurse who has a huge crush on Geoff, Jiro Custodio as the hotel’s bellboy, and Myrna Tinio and Jellex David as Winnie and Rambo, Geoff’s friendly neighbors. “Ang Daigdig Ko’y Ikaw” will be seen on Net 25 starting November 28 and every Saturday at 8 PM.
Going back to Ynna, how does she feel now that her ex-boyfriend, Mark Herras, is about to be a father again with his current girlfriend, Nicole Donesa? “A baby is a blessing so I wish both of them well,” she says.
Would she be willing to be the child’s ninang? “Why not? If they’d ask me. Okay naman kami ni Mark.”
How about her? When does she intend to have a baby? “Dream ko rin ‘yan, lalo na nga 29 na ako. But I have to find the right man first. I trust God na lahat naman, darating sa tamang panahon, with Him guiding me. As of now, I focus muna on ‘Ang Daigdig Ko’y Ikaw’ para mapagbuti ko nang husto ang acting ko at magustuhan ito ng viewers.”
Net 25 goes full blast
NET 25 is really going full blast with their entertainment shows and they introduced many new and existing shows that night, like: “Happy Time” – A daily noontime show hosted by Anjo Yllana, Janno Gibbs and Kitkat which started last September and now has its own legion of loyal followers both on Net 25 and its online sites like Facebook.
“Kesayasaya” – This is a musical sitcom that pays tribute to OFW’s and their families as they try to survive the various challenges they face in life starring Vina Morales, Robin Padilla, Pilita Corrales, Darius Razon, Eva Vivar, and many more. Shown Sundays at 6:30 PM, with replays on Saturdays at 9:30 AM.
‘PARAK’ – Acronym for ‘Police Action & Response: Ang Kasama Mo’ – A docudrama that aims to show a deeper understanding of law enforcers and how they reach out to the public in various way to help those in need, topbilled by Victor Neri and to start airing soon.
“Rekax Ka Lang” – A morning show for the whole family that combines fun with meaningful talk and stories, hosted by Ara Mina, Melissa Ricks and Jan Marini Alano. To premiere soon.
“Jukebox King, The Victor Wood Story” – This is not a TV show but a full length film from the director of such INC feel good films as “Guerrero”, “Guerrero Dos” and “Hapi ang Buhay the Musical”, Carlo Ortega Cuevas. It will star Martin Escudero in the title role.
“Himig ng Lahi” – Hosted by Pilita Corrales and Darius Razon, this is a musical show that promotes Original Pilipino Music, pays tribute to topnotch Filipino composers to acquaint today’s young viewers with the best of past Pinoy music, featuring first rate singers. Aired Sundays, 11 AM to 12 noon, with replays at 8 PM.
“Tagisan ng Galing, Part 2” – Net 25’s biggest nationwide talent search, with over P7 million in cash prizes to give a break to world class Filipino talents. The singing category is hosted by Ruru Madrid, with Imelda Papin, Marco Sison and Marcelito Pomoy as judges, airs Saturdays at 12 noon, with replays at 9 PM. The winner of the first singing contest was Angel Nicole Francisco who sung live at the presscon.
The dance category is hosted by Jon Lucas with Joy Cancio, Wowie de Guzman, Joshua Zamora and Mia Pangyarihan as the judges, airs Sundays at 12 noon, with replays at 9 PM.
Regal producer says MMFF online a big challenge
ROSELLE Monteverde says showing the entries in the Metro Manila Filmfest online, instead of the usual movie theaters, will truly be very challenging for producers like her because it’s something very new.
“But with the absence of theaters for the cinema, for the film industry to start getting income, we need to embrace online streaming,” she adds. “But even online streaming should be promoted well as it’s also something new for our viewers.”
With regard to Regal’s filmfest entry, “Mga Kaibigan ni Mama Susan”, she adds: “Hindi pa tapos ang entry namin as we still have some shooting days to go. And right now, we are having a hard time to reschedule and regroup the cast and crew, because some members of the key staff and artists are already currently locked in with their other projects, so we don’t know yet kung kailan kami makakapag-shoot again.”
As for their hit online show, “Ben X Jim”, they were not able to show it as scheduled last Friday night, so many of its loyal fans and followers are wondering what happened to it. Roselle issued a statement saying their staff in charge of the show’s post production became unavailable due to the devastation brought about by Typhoon Ulysses and were not able to finish the episode meant for last Friday. They rescheduled its showing for Saturday, 7 PM at Regal’s Youtube channel and 7:30 PM at Regal’s Facebook Page. She also enjoins everyone for us to help each other, specially the victims of the typhoon, for speedier recovery and rehabilitation from the devastation brought about by Ulysses.
