Getting To Know The New DARNA, Jane de Leon
In a feature story with StarStudio magazine we discover who Jane de Leon is. The New DARNA shares stories and photos from her childhood, family, her determination to get her high school diploma while working, and the most challenging phase in her life.
When news broke that she had been cast to portray the iconic role of Darna, many were suddenly curious about the identity of the newcomer actress that is Jane de Leon.
Stories trying to piece her life background together based on past articles and her own social media accounts surfaced left and right—and they did reveal a lot about the 20-year-old, such as how she hails from San Pedro, Laguna, forayed into the modeling scene at an early age, and, after formally beginning her career as an actress in 2013, has starred in shows like La Luna Sangre, Wansapanataym, and, her most recent yet, Halik.
But who she is beyond the glitz and glamor of show business remained largely unanswered—at least, until now. In her first and exclusive full-length interview, Jane opens herself up to the public as she shares never-before-heard stories from her childhood and personal life.
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As a student, Jane would describe herself as “super active”. “Lahat ng school activities sinasalihan ko and focused ako sa studies,” she says.
That is, until she entered show business and had to balance her studies with her acting career at the age of 15. “At first, it was really hard for me because I really love my work and I love my studies,” she says.
“Kaya sabi ko kay Mommy na, ‘Ma, paano ako magfo-focus?’ Ayaw kong sabihin na nawala ‘yung studies ko. Sabihin na lang natin na nawalan ako ng time for that because of my work and because of my schedule,” adds Jane, who, at that time, had already found a new home for herself in Quezon City to get closer to work.
But giving up her studies was not an option. “When it comes to studying kasi, mas focused talaga ako dun,” she explains. Despite the challenges of being a working student, Jane was determined to finish her high school studies.
Thus, knowing that it would be impossible for her to attend school while simultaneously attending to her job, she ended up taking home study programs. “Sinabi ko kay mommy na, ‘Mom no matter what happens, kailangan ko pong maka-graduate.’ Dumating sa point na while I’m doing my job na, [noong] nagte-taping na ako and shooting, gumagawa ako ng way para makapag-aral ako,” she shares.
In April last year, Jane finally fulfilled her dreams of finishing school through the Alternative Learning System or ALS. In an Instagram post, she shares that she was supposed to graduate earlier, and was only five months away from accomplishing high school when work suddenly interfered. “But I did not stop to pursue that dream and one day, I’m gonna make it. At ito na nga ‘yun,” shares Jane, who dedicates this particular achievement to her mother. “What made me happy was when I saw my Mom’s smile dahil ito talaga ang gusto niya: ang makita akong naka-toga.” (READ MORE HERE)
