One show that mirrors current turn events in the country is “Tukhang.” Cignal Entertainment’s four-part miniseries is gritty depiction of the government’s all-out campaign against drugs and a no-holds barred exposé of a corrupted society—our very own.
“Tukhang” brings together a cast of respected performers to breathe life into the most interesting characters: a cop in turmoil played by James Blanco; an impassioned journalist portrayed by Karel Marquez; the inimitable Mon Confiado as a controversial politician; and Yul Servo as a hired hitman.
Actress Janna Victoria returns to television as the wife of a drug lord, played by thespian Jake Macapagal.
Looking as beautiful as she did during her “Lagarista” days circa 2000 and still as passionate about her craft, Janna enthuses about her comeback project, saying, “When I was offered this role, talagang tinanggap ko siya kasi it’s very challenging for me. Sabi ko, ‘This is my chance na.’ Kasi hindi naman ako talagang nawala, it’s just that I’ve been doing bit roles na hindi mo talaga matatandaan.”
“I think this is good timing for me. Kasi lalo na ngayon, nag-e-evolve na yung TV shows natin, gumaganda na,” she said in an interview with Interaksyon.
Janna was last seen in the Jadine-starrer “Talk Back and You’re Dead” and Tikoy Aguiluz’s supernatural horror film, “Tragic Theater,” in 2014. She has been mostly focused on looking after her daughter, who is now 9 years old, and her business.
Janna also talked about her the experience of preparing for and shooting “Tukhang.” “Nag-research ako about drug lords. Hindi naman ito kakaiba sa mga nangyayayari na. Kailangan kong i-portray na talagang mayaman ako dito,” she said.
She would exchange lines with Jake in between takes so they would already have a good grasp of the scene once the cameras started rolling. While Jake is an excellent actor and it was pleasurable for Janna to work with him, doing so still posed challenges.
“Medyo sensitive lang kasi hindi alam ng asawa ko dito na alam ko yung mga ginagawa niya, lahat nung mga baho niya. So para siyang ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ na talagang, aabangan nila. It’s very entertaining also. Panoorin na lang nila,” Janna said.
She also noticed that the process of making TV shows has changed. “Before kasi talagang matagal yung pagkakagawa. Ngayon and bilis na. Hindi naman ako nahirapan kasi siguro because of my experiences.”
Janna’s role in “Tukhang” was indeed a challenge for her, but also one that she has long been waiting for.
She explains, “I’m more matured now. Marami akong pinaghuhugutan. For me, I like more challenging roles. Talagang mas nailalabas ko pag talagang mahirap yung eksena.”
Janna has only praises for the people she worked with. “Ang gagaling, eh. Lahat. Yung director, yung actors. Talagang nagulat ako. Talagang lahat sila from theater, di ba? So I can see that I’m in good hands talaga. Saludo ako sa kanila, ang gagaling.”
“Tukhang” is directed by Lawrence Fajardo and Derick Cabrido, and written by Jose Javier Reyes and Eric Ramos. The cast also includes Butch Francisco, Zandra Summer, Raffy Tejada, Archie Adamos, Elora Españo, Che Ramos, Chrome Cosio, and Mimi Juareza.
Exclusively available through Cignal TV, “Tukhang” will have a special airing marathon this weekend on Colours and Sari-Sari channels, following this schedule: Saturday, August 26, 10:30 PM: Episodes 1& 2, back-to-back; Sunday, August 2, 10:30 PM: Episodes 3 & 4, back-to-back.
