Nanette Inventor embraces grandma role to the hilt in Ang Yaman ni Lola

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"'Pag humahanap ako ng role, lagi kong iniisip if it's a universal character. Yung puwede akong maka-relate, yung nakikita ko yung sarili ko sa kanya. Dahil ang sarap ng ganun dahil damang-dama ng tao yun, e," comedienne and Ang Yaman Ni Lola lead star Nanette Inventor told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal). Nanette will portray the role of the rich yet generous Lola Barbie in GMA-7's upcoming reality-sitcom series.

Seasoned stand-up comedienne and actress Nanette Inventor recalled being asked by the team behind GMA-7's newest reality sitcom, Ang Yaman ni Lola, one particular question when she was first offered to portray the show's lead role.

"Are you okay to play lola?"

Nanette's prompt answer was enthusiastic, "Ah, okey lang sa akin 'yan! Lola na rin naman talaga ako!"

The upbeat reply sealed the deal and Nanette instantly bagged the role of Lola Barbie—a rich sexagenarian, whose generosity both with money and kindness will help alter the fortune of ordinary workers each week.

"The first thing that came into my mind was to pray about it, if it's [the role] really for me. Kasi I'm sure they are considering other people. It's just that I played a Doña role before and tumatak na siguro sa isip ng tao na mayaman ako. So maybe 'yon ang naging factor kaya they chose me, if ever they had second thoughts about getting me," Nanette told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at the program's press conference held last Wednesday, August 18, at Abe Restaurant at the TriNoma Mall in Quezon City.

POLAR OPPOSITE ROLES. Nanette never experienced having a family of her own (she has never married and motherhood also eluded her), but she is no stranger when it comes to assuming a well-to-do matron in front of the camera.

Who would ever forget Nanette's signature on screen persona named Doña Buding? It was Director Joey Reyes who conceptualized the said character and Nanette gave life to the role every weekend night in the  '80s late night show, Penthouse Live.

But while Doña Buding took pride in brandishing her enormous wealth arrogantly, Lola Barbie comes across as the total opposite.  That's why Nanette was drawn to the latter.

Nanette spelled out the difference: "Si Lola Barbie is very much different from Doña Buding. Puro kasi siya [Doña Buding] nagsasabi ng kayamanan pero hindi naman natin alam kung totoo 'yong kanyang mga pinagsasabi. 'Tsaka mataray siya at mayabang. Siguro, I can see her as being corrupt. Ibang-iba 'yon kesa kay Lola Barbie, na nanggaling sa kahirapan kaya she's very generous."

The show, stressed Nanette, is not just about handing out money to lucky participants. More than the chance to take home a hefty check, the chosen contestants and television viewers will learn valuable life lessons in between all the comedy and chores.

"Siguro sa totoong buhay ang sarap nung hindi lang pera ang binibigay mo," said Nanette. "First and foremost, nabibigyan ka ng pagkakataon na makatulong sa kapwa mo. Love your neighbor, as you love yourself—number one rule 'yan."

She continued, "Every once in a while, meron siyang sinasabing values on determination, dedication, marami. Marami siyang pinapasok na values na hindi lang dapat pera lahat."

REALITY AND SITCOM COMBINED. Ang Yaman ni Lola features Lola Barbie (Nanette Inventor), a rich 60-something-year-old woman who hires a group of "workers" every week. These are real people from various professions who have been chosen via auditions and who will go through Lola's chores and challenges within the context of the teleserye's storyline.

This doesn't sit well with some of the people around Lola Barbie. Enter the teleserye element. Lola's family attorney, Kimberly Cabagnot (Sheryl Cruz), is ambitious, manipulative and obsessed with keeping Lola's fortune intact and available to her. Naturally, she resents the workers and makes life in the villa harder for them. Life at the villa becomes even more challenging with Kimberly's bratty kids (Joyce Ching and Aaron Novilla). Also included in the cast are Kimberly's husband Benjo (Benjie Paras), lola's confidante Mayordomo (Patricia Ysmael), and the resident hunk Boggart (Fabio Ide), who is lola's all-around handyman.

During the week, Lola Barbie hands out a set of chores to the workers. The chores are based on the theme of the week. After going through the challenges, the most efficient worker wins P100,000. The following week, a new set of workers is hired according to the serye's storyline.

Who among the workers will fall victim to the scheming family attorney's machinations? Who will be rewarded for a job well done with a portion of Lola Barbie's enormous fortune?

Ang Yaman ni Lola debuts on Monday, August 23, after Eat Bulaga! on GMA-7.

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