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Jane De Leon Basks In The Joy Of Pursuing Her Passion

It wasn't easy for Jane to soar as one of the most sought-after young actresses today, so she makes sure to savor every moment while keeping her feet on the ground

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Grace C. Diez

<p>        Long before she soared to stardom as the new generation Mars Ravelo superhero <em><strong>Darna</strong></em>, <a href="https://metro.style/people/digital-covers/darna-jane-de-leon-on-the-cover-of-metro/33499" target="_blank">Jane de Leon</a> was dreaming of joining the entertainment industry, first by joining beauty pageants and auditioning for modeling gigs. </p><div><br/></div><p>In 2015, she was discovered and introduced to <strong>Star Magic</strong> by talent manager Tyronne Escalante. Jane recalls the time she first set foot in ABS-CBN, saying, “<em>Noong</em> first time <em>kong makatuntong dito sa</em> ABS-CBN, I remember I was 14 or 15 years old back then, <em>grabe</em>, wow! Well, <em>hindi pa ako nakapupunta ng</em> Disneyland <em>pero</em> feeling <em>ko kapag may mga nangangarap na mga kabataan natin na gustong mag-artista</em>, <em>ganu’n iyong mararamdaman nila</em>. Like, ‘Wow! <em>Nakatuntong ako ng</em> ABS!’ and <em>ganu’n iyong naramdaman ko</em>. Of course, <em>may</em> excitement. <em>Nandoon iyong mas napu</em>-push <em>ka lalo na kapag may nakikita kang mga</em> stars <em>at nakakasalubong</em> here <em>sa</em> ABS-CBN. And of course, <em>s’yempre may kaba</em>,” Jane recounts, clearly still excited and humbled to be surrounded by the artists she looks up to.</p><div><br/></div><p>Since joining Star Magic, Jane landed supporting roles in projects such as <a href="https://metro.style/people/celebrities/2-good-2-be-true-kathniel-ronaldo-valdez-cover/34183" target="_blank">Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla</a>’s fantasy series <em><strong>La Luna Sangre </strong></em>and Derek Ramsay and Coleen Garcia’s movie <em><strong>Ex With Benefits</strong></em>. But what can be considered her breakthrough project was Jericho Rosales and Yam Concepcion’s <em>teleserye</em>, <em><strong>Halik</strong></em>. </p><div><br/></div><p>Before making her small screen debut as this iconic superhero, she flexed her acting muscles first for a recurring guest role in <em><a href="https://metro.style/people/celebrities/coco-martin-fpj-ang-probinsyano-leading-ladies/33533" target="_blank">FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano</a></em>.</p><div><br/></div><div>    </div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/835455ba-e54a-4d26-a45f-3961180edaef_batch_metr0 30th cover2217 jane de leon a.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Jane de Leon - Metro x Star Magic 30 "/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Jane de Leon <span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Photography by Dookie Ducay  </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/digital-covers/darna-jane-de-leon-on-the-cover-of-metro/33499" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Flying High: The Rise Of Jane De Leon As The Iconic Darna</a></div><div>        </div><div><br/></div><p>Prior to getting those roles, Jane had her fair share of rejections in the industry that only strengthened her resolve to persevere and succeed.“<em>Pagdating sa</em> rejections <em>talaga</em>, it’s very normal <em>sa aming lahat na mga artista</em>, even me <em>noong nagsisimula ako</em>. <em>Mapa</em>-commercial, <em>teleserye</em>, or movies. But for me, <em>maganda siyang</em> stepping stone <em>siguro</em> and <em>nakatutulong din iyon</em> for me to be a better person and <em>mas mamo</em>-motivate <em>pa ako</em> for my future and <em>sa</em> goals <em>ko para sa</em> showbiz. And <em>iyong mga bagay na iyon</em>, <em>hinding-hindi ko malilimutan kasi kasama iyon sa</em> journey <em>ko</em>—<em>ang ma</em>-reject,” Jane thoughtfully looks back.</p><div><br/></div><p>Jane’s patience and hard work finally paid off when she landed the titular role of Darna for its much-awaited ABS-CBN series adaptation. </p><div><br/></div><p>Jane considers Darna the role of a lifetime, but she admits it comes with tough challenges considering various factors involved in playing the character.“<em>Sa</em> Darna, I have three characters: I have young Narda, present Narda and of course, Darna, so challenging <em>talaga</em>. <em>Hindi lang siya basta</em> Darna <em>kasi tatlong</em> characters <em>iyong pino</em>-portray <em>ko</em>. [There are] the stunts and harness. <em>Puro pasa na talaga ako</em> all over my body, <em>sadyang tinakpan lang ng</em> makeup <em>ngayon</em>. <em>Sanay na akong masaktan</em>,” she laughs.</p><div><br/></div><p>Thankfully, Darna is a commercial success across leading digital platforms with the pilot week accumulating over 41 million combined views on YouTube alone. It also became the most watched show on iWantTFC and took over trending topics on social media.</p><div><br/></div><div>    </div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/6b3c662b-e02a-4543-9da0-eb7a2c519dc4_metro-star-magic-30-jane de leon 2.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Jane de Leon - Metro x Star Magic 30"/></span></span></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/celebrities/jane-de-leon-24th-birthday-party/34309" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Inside Jane De Leon’s Glamorous 24th Birthday Party</a></div><div>        </div><div><br/></div><p>As Jane basks in this success and newfound fame, the actress takes comfort and guidance from her Star Magic family and relies on their pieces of advice. “Always be humble and, of course, <em>walang madali sa umpisa</em>,” she tells us. “For me, grateful <em>ako na naging </em>part <em>ako ng</em> Star Magic because <em>maraming mga</em> veterans and <em>mga</em> artists <em>ngayon na malalaki na na nagsimula dito</em> and legacy <em>na rin ito eh kaya</em> I’m so blessed [and thankful] to my Star Magic family.”</p><div><br/></div><p>The actress says that finding a family amid the hectic world of entertainment gives her security and purpose. This is what she found in Star Magic.“<em>Para silang</em> real family... <em>Nand’yan sila</em> through ups and downs and ’<em>yun ’yung pinaka-importante sa akin</em>—’<em>yung</em> family and love,” she says.</p><div><br/></div><p>As she looks forward to a stronger partnership with Star Magic, Jane also considers her passion as fuel for a long-time career in acting.“It’s my passion. <em>Nakikita ko ’yung</em> happiness<em> ko dito sa trabaho</em>. <em>Nag-e</em>-enjoy <em>ako</em>, not just because <em>gusto ko iyong ginagawa ko</em> as an artist and I love to act but also other than that, <em>na-e</em>-enjoy <em>ko siya</em> and <em>nade</em>-develop <em>ko iyong</em> character <em>ko</em> and <em>nagiging</em> better person <em>ako </em>as Jane de Leon,” the modern-day Darna concludes.</p><div><br/></div><div>    </div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/e2ca64e0-6504-4b1b-8a86-aaac8fbde769_metro star magic 30-87 jane de leon.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Jane de Leon - Metro x Star Magic 30"/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">On Jane: Dress by LSW</span></span></span></div><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/3a734c5f-c165-4aba-9c1d-84fea391ed04_metro-x-star-magic-30-cover-final.jpg" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="The Star Magic artists gathered for a 2022 year-ender cover feature, to cap Metro" s="" celebration="" of="" the="" premier="" talent="" anniversary="" in=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">The Star Magic artists gathered for a 2022 year-ender cover feature, to cap Metro&#x27;s celebration of the premier talent management&#x27;s 30th anniversary in the industry.<span id="isPasted" style="color:rgb(65, 65, 65);letter-spacing:normal;orphans:2;text-align:left;text-indent:0px;text-transform:none;widows:2;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;white-space:normal;background-color:rgb(255, 255, 255);text-decoration-thickness:initial;text-decoration-style:initial;text-decoration-color:initial;display:inline !important;float:none"><em> Photography by Dookie Ducay and Jharwin Castañeda  </em></span></span></span></span></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/people/digital-covers/metro-x-star-magic-30th-anniversary-cover/34367" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Star Magic&#x27;s 30th Anniversary Celebration Culminates With This Metro Cover Feature</a></div><div><br/></div><p>Photography by <strong>Dookie Ducay</strong></p><p>Creative direction by <strong>Eldzs Mejia</strong></p><p>Art direction by <strong>Raff Colmenar</strong></p><p>Sittings editor: <strong>Grace Libero-Cruz</strong></p><p>Makeup by <strong>RB Chanco</strong></p><p>Hairstyling by <strong>Ernesto Jamelarin</strong></p><p>Styling by <strong>Myrrh Lao To</strong>, assisted by <strong>Mack Bersalona</strong>, <strong>Josh Galang</strong> and <strong>Mai Chua </strong></p><p>Interviewer: <strong>Grace Diez</strong></p><p>Shoot coordination: <strong>Red Dimaandal </strong>and <strong>Kate Paras-Santiago</strong></p><div><br/></div>