After the success of Magandang Dilag, Herlene Budol is set to return to television with Binibining Marikit. But behind her rising career, she went through a tough time due to controversies with her previous show – one that led her to seek help from a psychiatrist to process everything.
“Ang tanong do’n, naka-move on na po ba ang mga tao? Kasi para sa akin, ever since na pumutok po yung issue na ‘yun, parang ‘Ah okay,’ kasi hindi naman daw po ‘yun mawawala e. Nagpa-[psychiatrist] din po ako para mas matanggap ko po yung mga… nagpa-doctor po ako para po mas ma-process po siya ng maayos sa akin…,” she said during the February 3 press conference for Binibining Marikit. She shared this when asked if she had moved on from the issue, revealing that she sought psychiatric help to cope with the backlash from Magandang Dilag.
Herlene admitted that the accusations thrown at her were emotionally heavy and difficult to handle but clarified that she has since moved on from the issue.
“Nagpa-help po ako sa doctor para po mas matanggap ko yung mga sinasabi sa akin ng mga tao… na ma-overcome ko po lahat. Mabigat po e, na paratang sa akin kaya parang hindi ko po siya… mahirap po yung naging sitwasyon ko no’n. At ang hirap po mag-move on sa gano’ng situwasyon na alam naman po ng Panginoon kung ano yung tama at mali.”
Despite the challenges, she is determined to improve herself and apply the lessons she learned from her past project.
“Mas inayos na Herlene …kasi ang dami ko pong natutunan sa Magandang Dilag na dito ko po mas itinama lahat ng pagkakamali ko do’n. Kasi siyempre bilang baguhan po, talagang inaral ko po yung karakter nung bawat isa. Alam po nating magkaiba sila pero yung puso po ay talagang meron pa rin po nung kagaya nung Magandang Dilag,” she said.
Now taking on Binibining Marikit, she admitted to feeling pressure about proving herself once again.
“Parang mas may pressure po sa akin yung ngayon – yung Binibining Marikit, kasi parang baka nakatiyamba lang po ako nung Magandang Dilag. Baka sinuwerte, nakajackpot lang ako no’n. Ang dami ko pong ‘baka’ sa sarili ko. Na nagda-doubt po ako na kaya ko ba ‘to? Na tatanggapin po ba ulit ako ng mga tao? Same pa rin po ba yung pagtanggap nila dito?”
Herlene stars alongside Pokwang in Binibining Marikit, this time with new leading men, Tony Labrusca and Kevin Dasom.
When asked about the possibility of being romantically linked to her co-actors, as she was in her previous project, she joked, “Wala na pong kainan na magaganap.”
She admitted that developing feelings for a co-star can happen but hopes to avoid the emotional struggles she previously faced. She recalled how hard it was when she felt unsupported and unheard.
“Kasi hindi mo po talaga maiiwasan na ma-in love talaga sa ka-partner. Kaya parang hindi ko, ayaw ko po magsalita ng tapos, pero ayoko din po maulit yung trauma na binigay po sa akin no’ng last co-actor ko na parang ang bigat na hindi ako naipagtanggol, na walang boses na nagsalita.”
Despite this, Herlene feels confident in her new co-stars, saying she’s fortunate to work with them.
“Pero dito po sa Binibining Marikit, nakikita ko naman po sa kanilang dalawa [Tony Labrusca and Kevin Dasom] na with or without issue ipagtatanggol po nila ako dahil sobrang gentleman po nitong dalawang tao na ‘to. At sobrang blessed ko po na sila po yung ka-partner ko.”
Joining them in the show are Almira Muhlach, Thea Tolentino, and Cris Villanueva, along with Ashley Rivera, Jeff Moses, Migs Almendras, and John Feir.
Don’t miss Binibining Marikit, premiering February 10, airing Mondays to Saturdays at 2:30 p.m. on GMA Afternoon Prime. Global Pinoys can also watch via GMA Pinoy TV.
TATAK MNL 
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