Life for Nadine Samonte is full of surprises.

Three months after making the life of Nora Aunor miserable in Sa Ngalan ng Ina, she's back on television as "sobrang bait" in Valiente.

"Ako po dito si Maila Braganza," she said during the soap's press conference held earlier, January 19, at the 8 Spices restaurant in Quezon City.

She was just four years old when the original version—which starred Michael de Mesa and Tirso Cruz III—started airing.

Her character then was played by singer-actress Mariz.

"Baby pa ako nun," she told the editors and columnists who gave her a background on Valiente—which initially aired on ABS-CBN (1992-1995), then GMA-7 (1995-1997).

To describe her role, Nadine said, "Isa akong ampon...ampon ng mga Braganza.

"Kapatid ko po si Oyo [Sotto] at saka si Niña [Jose].

"Simple lang si Maila, pero more on emotional siya, e."

FIRST TIME TO WORK WITH JOEL LAMANGAN. She didn't do much to prepare for the project, save for being focused while she was on the set.

Smiling, the StarStruck alumna related, "Sa paghahanda, ang masasabi ko, si Direk...

"Si Direk kasi ang laging nandiyan, lagi akong sinasabihan, 'O, kelangang iiyak ka dito. Kelangang ganyan ka dito.'

"Sobrang takot ko. Iiyak na lang ako."

When she's scared, crying is "madali naman...mabilis," but her motivation, she says, comes from familiarizing herself with the role.

"Kasi mahirap, e, na hindi ko alam ang character ko, 'tapos hindi ko alam kung paano ko ipu-portray," she threw in.