Dawn Zulueta no problem being second choice in upcoming series

ACTRESS Dawn Zulueta said she doesn't have any problem being a substitute to Diamond Star Maricel Soriano who was dropped from the new series "Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin" following her reported outburst on the set of the upcoming project.

Released by Dreamscape Entertainment and ABS-CBN, the seasoned actress was formally launched Monday as the newest member of the cast who will be working opposite Rayver Cruz, Cristine Reyes and Gerald Anderson.

During a press conference, Dawn shared that her television comeback after "Walang Hanggan" was really set in June because her husband, Anton Lagdameo, will be gunning for third and final term as congressman of Davao del Norte.

She said she was in Hong Kong when Dreamscape and her mother network scheduled for a meeting. At this point, she already heard of Maricel and Gerald's miscommunication on the set of the series.

"I heard about it in the news and it also caught me by surprise. They called me and I had no idea what the meeting was all about."

According to Dawn, it's a non-issue on her part to be a second choice for the role because it is something she's looking forward to and excited to do.

"When they pitched the story, I liked it. I only needed to figure out what kind of schedule they are willing to work out with and I also needed to talk to my husband," she said.

She added: "Every time I can grab an opportunity on a good project, I really try to consider it. Every time I tell myself that I'm going to rest, something really good comes along the way. So I always try to keep my options open and in my experience, every time I've done that, something good always come of it."

Although it took her some time to accept the offer, Dawn said she's studying the role and the plotline of the project because she doesn’t want to disappoint ABS-CBN and Maricel.

"I've decided also that I want to do it because I love the role, I want to give back something to the network that trusted me with so much," she said. "And I think it's important for me also to say that I really want to make Maricel proud because this is a role that was really dedicated to her."

With all the news stories printed on papers and posted online about Maricel, Gerald and the series, Dawn said she is hoping that things will turn out fine.

"I really look up to her (Maricel). She's a very dear colleague in the industry and when I heard of the news, hindi ako makapaniwala. We we're just together last Christmas and I was telling her 'Congratulations may teleserye ka ngayon'. Who would have thought that this will happen?" she said.

Dawn said she was sad when she heard the news as it involved someone whom she considers a friend in the industry. (Sunnex)