With Pascual and Gutierrez, two of the hottest actors in the country today, as her entertainment industry fairy godfathers of sorts, she went on to appear in other TV shows, movies, and lucrative commercial endorsements. And true to the showbiz fairytale, actor Paolo Contis followed the charming Cebuana until they became a couple.

Now, she’s snared her biggest role to date, that of Rosita Monteverde in the teleserye remake of the Lino Brocka classic, Maging Akin ka Lamang. She steps into the character originally portrayed by no less than Lorna Tolentino, who starred opposite other stalwarts like Christopher de Leon, Dina Bonnevie, and the late Jay Ilagan.

It’s a pretty tough act to follow, especially as Lorna’s performance was so memorable, she and Vilma Santos (who herself delivered a bravura performance in Tagos ng Dugo) divvied up the best actress trophies from the award giving bodies.

The Brocka classic was an apt choice for GMA Network’s sixth season offering of Sine Novela Presents, a top-rating afternoon drama anthology that features timeless movies turned into dramatic TV series.

“Yes, I did watch it and I found it very interesting,” Isabel says of the movie she’s helping remake.

“It was the first time I saw a Filipino movie wherein the focus of the story was on the antagonist, who at the same time is also the bida. I think the story was unique. After I viewed the movie, they told me that I would play the role of Ms. Lorna Tolentino. Siempre nag-tumbling ako, kasi ang hirap nung role! Though they say they I could give justice to it, up to now, I am still overwhelmed by the thought that I am doing it, a role that gave Ms. LT a lot of awards,” she gushes.

To prepare for her role, Isabel immersed herself in movies with similar themes, like Fatal Attraction. She muses: “Rosita is a very difficult character to portray, she is obsessed with Andy and she would do every thing to have him. She is very, very rich and very powerful and she uses this to her advantage.”

To give further credence to her character, Isabel hired her own stylist and make-up artist. “Dapat kasi bonggang-bongga si Rosita! It is my way of helping me flesh out the character and make her more believable. In the movie, Ms. LT was always at her most glamorous so I need to live up to that part of the expectations. Honestly, it is not easy to be in her shoes.”

In the soap, her character has been transformed into an out-an-out virago. “Super aggressive,” Isabel says, in contrast to the Rosita in the movie who was still very careful about showing her desires.

“Rosita is a schemer and ruthless most of the time,” she says, “and she will do every thing to get what she wants.” She admits that it is an “emotionally draining” role.

Which is why she relies a lot on director Gil Tejada.

“There was one day when we shot this scene, yung parang ni-re-rape ko na si Polo (Ravales), I was the one who was ordering him na hey, halika rito! Though I had apprehensions, I need to conquer them or else, the scene would not work. I kept on asking how to kiss in such a way that it would look sexier or more passionate.”

As a departure from her sugary roles, Isabel says: “It will help my growth as an actress kasi di naman pwede na laging pa-sweet or api-apihan ang mga roles na ginagawa ko. It is not everyday you get to do a role like this and it would be foolish not to accept it or let it pass. I hope my fans would support the transformation. This is my first time to portray a bida-contravida.”

She is “thrilled” that she gets to wear chica outfits and arch her eyebrows villainess-style. She enjoys the transformation of Rosita from sweet and comely one minute and then turning bad and bitchy in a snap.

Does she think Lorna Tolentino would be pleased with her interpretation of the role?

“Sana naman!” she exclaims enthusiastically. “Frankly, I feel awkward to tell her that I am doing Rosita because baka hindi ako mag-measure up. Pero, someone told that when Ms. LT found out that I would do the role, she became excited and even said, ‘Why not? Ang galing nun and ang gandang-ganda pa I am sure kayang-kaya niya. I hope when she gets to watch it, I would not be a disappointment.”

Maging Akin Ka Lamang revolves around Rosita Monteverde’s obsession with Andy Abrigo (Polo Ravales). Polo, on the other hand, is hopelessly in love with Elsa Paruel (Nadine Samonte) who in turn is obsessed by the loss of her son. Ernie Balboa (Carlo Aquino), best friend of Andy and is a wealthy businessman who is secretly in love with Rosita. Completing the cast are Alicia Alonzo, Juan Rodrigo, Dexter Doria, Arci Muñoz, Mike Tan and Pinky Amador.