As the most trending digital series of 2023, “Linlang,” heads into a bigger sphere that is primetime TV, lead actress Kim Chiu also gears up for the intense hate that will inevitably pour onto her as the remorseless cheating wife Juliana Lualhati. 

Juliana is a woman that has a lot of love to give especially towards her daughter, as Kim would describe her on-screen persona, “Umiikot ang mundo niya sa pagmamahal.” But feelings of inadequacy and impatience would entice Juliana to engage in a clandestine affair with her husband’s brother. “Minsan sa pagmamahal natin, nagkakamali tayo na hindi natin alam mali na pala,” she reflected.

If you think you already know Juliana and her story, then you’re wrong. “Excited ako sa magiging reaction nila dito sa teleserye version,” gushed one of the busiest actresses today, who credits the show’s directors in helping her build Juliana’s character. 

Kim tells Kapamilya Chat that “Linlang: The Teleserye Version” would offer more explosive scenes. Structured for daily airing, the teleserye edition paints a meatier backstory of the characters, including Juliana’s history with the two men she chose to love. 

From there, she talked about her experience collaborating with some of showbiz’s finest gems. In the story, Kim’s Juliana has found a worthy rival in Sylvia, played by Kaila Estrada, for whom Kim has nothing but good words. Although Kaila’s talent is a given, being the daughter of acting virtuous Janice de Belen and John Estrada, Kim was utterly amazed witnessing her passion that’s too intense for a newbie. 

“She is a surprise for me. Ang galing. Ang ganda ng speaking voice niya, very dedicated siya sa work niya. Para ganu’n ‘yung ipakita niya sa amin, nakakagulat at nakaka-amaze si Kaila,” she said of her co-actress, whom she shares nail-biting confrontations with in the series. 

Kim also expressed her admiration for Maricel Soriano, whom she describes as the epitome of versatility. She takes pride in working with the Diamond Star, let alone sharing big scenes with her. Like most artists, Kim considers it an honor to be slapped by the “Taray Queen” herself. 

Kim has truly unleashed a different side of her as Juliana, but she knows she couldn’t have done it without her supportive co-stars. With that, she expressed appreciation for JM de Guzman being a generous on-screen partner, “Si JM ay very giving actor. Ibbigay niya sa’yo kung eksena mo. Medyo mahirap ‘yung dynamics namin dito pero hindi ko naramdaman na nahirapan ako dahil inaalalayan ako talaga ni JM.” She continued, “At saka ang husay ni JM. Mata pa lang, tunaw ka na kahit hindi pa siya magsalita.”

While she had already collaborated with JM in the past, her partnership with Paulo Avelino in “Linlang” marked their first time working together. Throughout their filming, Paulo has shown admirable passion and discipline to knit his character, Victor, to his own flesh. 

“Nagpataba siya tapos nagpapayat siya. Konting panahon lang ‘yung binigay sa kanya. Iba ‘yung dedication na binibigay niya sa craft na meron kami,” she said of Paulo, adding that she was pressured by his magnificence as an actor, “Nakaka-pressure ‘yung Paulo Avelino na ka-eksena kasi kabisado niya talaga lines niya. Nakakakaba talaga lalo na no’ng una kasi hindi naman talaga kami magkakilala o magkaibigan, doon na lang kami nagkakilanlan.”

In keeping with the series’ theme, Kim was asked her advice to those in the same situation as Juliana. She imparted that it’s hard to make assumptions since every ‘Juliana’ out there is going through something we know nothing about. But if she has a friend like Juliana, she only promises to be there – to listen, but never judge. 

Catch “Linlang: The Teleserye Version”, weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.