ABS-CBN's Agua Bendita has earned a sizeable following since its pilot episode last February 8. In fact, it has been leading in its primetime slot, according to data from TNS and AGB surveys. According to the nationwide survey of TNS, Agua Bendita gained a 37.7 percent rating on its pilot episode while AGB Nielsen reported that it gained 31.8 percent in Mega Manila households.


Viewers attribute the show's success to its family-oriented story and main actors, specifically Xyriel Anne Manabat, the girl who plays the younger versions of Agua and Bendita.

When Agua Bendita was launched a few months ago, it was touted as the launching vehicle of Andi Eigenmann, the daughter of veteran actress Jaclyn Jose. But since its pilot episode last February 8, viewers were only able to watch the young version of Andi healing people through her tears. A lot of people wondered when Andi would finally get the chance to play the grown-up roles of the much-loved twins in Agua Bendita.

Rumors circulated that Andi Eigenmann and her mother Jaclyn Jose were angered by the delay of Andi's appearance in the show. In the press conference of the Agua Bendita held at the Imperial Suites last March 25, Andi clarified these rumors. 


"Hindi po nagalit yung mom ko. Siyempre, dahil nanay ko po siya naskatan po siya para sa'kin. She only wants what is best for me. Pero hindi po kami nagalit kasi wala naman po siyang karapatan para gawin yun. Nagtratrabaho lang po kami. Kung ano po yung gusto ng tao yun pa rin yung masusunod," said Andi.

Did she ever get impatient while waiting for her appearance on the show?

"Medyo. Maiisip mo medyo maiinip ka kasi gusto mo nang mag-taping pero napatagal.  Pero para sa 'kin po, I took it as more time para po makapag-prepare pa po ako. Para po pagkalabas ko mas mapapakita ko pa po nang mas okay kaysa sa mapapakita ko kung lumabas na ako noon."

Andi's appearance in the show also marked a new take on the story of Agua Bendita. Strong-willed and determined, Andi Eigenmann will give her best to make the most out of this break.

"Nagpapasalamat po ako nang sobra-sobra sa lahat ng sumuporta sa Agua Bendita. Sana po patuloy pa rin yung pagsuporta nilang lahat kapag lumabas na rin po kaming tatlo [referring to her co-stars Jason Abalos and Matteo Guidicelli]."


Does she feel any pressure considering that Agua Bendita has been leading in the ratings since Xyreil played the lead character?

"Meron pong konti kasi, siyempre, ang ganda talaga nung pagsimula nung teleserye. Pero naniniwala po ako na yung part po namin ng kuwento hindi naman po ibig sabihin na... papangit siya. Hindi po papayag yung management na mangyari yun, kaya for sure kasing interesting pa rin siya nung mga nangyari noon. It's just that mag-iiba lang nang konti yung panggagalingan nung kuwento, pati po yung mga values at concepts sa istorya kasi po lumaki na kami," said Andi with confidence.

Will they have daring scenes in the teleserye?

"Ay, hindi po. Kahit po yung mga itsura naming ganito... Siyempre summer po swimming [attire]. Yun lang po yun.  'Saka kahit ano pong mangyari, love story po ito, e, so hindi mo naman maalis yun pero kahit anong mangyari hindi po mawawala yung family, yung kuwento ng family at pagtuturo ng family values sa teleserye kasi that's also part of what it's about."

Andi Eigenmann was first seen in this ABS-CBN primetime show last Holy Friday, April 2. Catch Agua Bendita weekdays from 7:45 pm to 8:30 pm on ABS-CBN.