Aljur Abrenica clarified that he did not replace JC Santos in the upcoming ABS-CBN teleserye Asintado.
In an interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at the January-8 press conference of the show, Aljur said he plays a different character that had already been included from the conception of the story.
He explained, "Oh, no. Hindi sa akin yun.
"I was excited to work with JC at that time, pero hindi ata siya pwede so napalitan siya."
Aljur did not specify which role JC was supposed to portray in the series.
During the May 2017 media announcement of Asintado—which was originally titled Victims of Love—JC was introduced as one of the cast members of the show.
Back then, Aljur was not yet included in the series.
When Aljur transferred to ABS-CBN last July, he met with the creative team of Asintado, and later started taping scenes with Julia Montes.
Speculations began that Aljur might have replaced JC because, at that time, JC was included in the daytime series Ikaw Lang Ang Iibigin.
Last December 2017, JC confirmed to PEP.ph that he was pulled out from the cast and that a new show for him is in the works and that he will have a new leading lady.
Meanwhile, in Asintado, Aljur is cast as Xander, a man bent on seeking revenge on the family of Salvador Del Mundo (Nonie Buencamino).
Aljur helps the character played by Julia Montes, who was also oppressed by the Del Mundos, and falls in love with her.
He elaborated, "Isa ako sa mga biktima, e. Mga namatayan ng magulang, just like what happened to Julia.
"So we're seeking justice, kasama diyan sila Arron Villaflor, Empress Schuck, Cherry Pie Picache. Gusto naming mapabagsak si Salvador.
"Habang tinuturuan ko si Julia, nagkaroon ako ng love sa kanya. Tapos habang nangyayari yun, hindi pa siya totally healed from Paulo Avelino, so magkakaroon ng love triangle."
FIRST TAPING DAY JITTERS. According to Aljur, he also did several adjustments since he just transferred to ABS-CBN.
However, what is seared in his memory is his first taping day for Asintado, which will air its pilot episode on January 15, after It's Showtime.
He recalled, "Yung first taping ko, hindi ko siya makakalimutan. Noong nasa set ako, sila Direk Lino [Cayetano], si Miss Cherry Pie, ginuide talaga nila ako sa character ko.
"Nagkaroon kami ng time to talk habang inaano yung eksena kasi naka-ilang takes ako, e. Yun yung naging experience ko."
As for the show's time slot, Aljur sees no problem if it airs on the afternoon slot of the Kapamilya network.
He said, "Kahit ano ibigay sa akin, okay sa akin, e. Nandoon na ako, as an actor, sa point na yun, e.
"Kahit saan ako ilagay basta makadeliver. Kahit ano ibigay sa akin, mabigyan ko ng justice, karapatdapat na effort na maibigay ko is mabigay ko."