CEBU, Philippines - Whether or not the plug was pulled early on her just concluded afternoon soap “Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa” – where she played villain to headliners Julie Anne San Jose and Benjamin Alves – due to poor ratings, LJ Reyes has the luxury of not having the time to dwell on it.

She’s after all, occupied with another GMA-7 Afternoon Prime series that will premiere today after “Legally Blind,” taking over the slot vacated by the short-lived, and might we say badly written, “Pinulot.”

Titled “D’Originals,” LJ is a good girl this time, playing an entrepreneur forced to wear the pants in her marriage when her husband (Mark Herras) chooses to mope at home while waiting for his dream job. When her character becomes too busy for his amorous advances, he finds more than enough comfort in his sister-in-law (Lovely Abella).

Sharing the title role with LJ in this dramedy is premier actress Jaclyn Jose and TV vixen Kim Domingo.

The 29-year-old actress is still no missus in real life, but with the blossoming of her romance with fellow actor Paolo Contis, is that about to change anytime soon?

“I don’t think as an adult, you will enter into a relationship that you don’t think will flourish into something beautiful,” says LJ during an interview with the Cebu press on the possibility of Paolo putting a ring on it sooner rather than later.

“Of course, our vision is to get there. As of now, we’re just praying for it. Marami pa kaming kailangang ayusin sa buhay. So we’re still taking it one step at a time.”

Along with another Kapuso celebrity couple Mark Herras and Wynwyn Marquez, LJ and Paolo will be seen on Sunday (April 23) in the first episode of the docu-reality show “Follow Your Heart” hosted by Heart Evangelista.

While Paolo is definitely a major inspiration for LJ these days, the actor isn’t the main guy in her life. That title goes to Ethan Akio, LJ’s six-year-old son with Kapamilya star Paulo Avelino.

“Motherhood teaches you patience. It makes you realize how much love you can give,” shares LJ. “Ang isang tao or babae pala can give so much love, that hindi mo maintindihan saan nanggagaling yun. Yung love mo para sa anak mo is as deep as the ocean. Hindi na masyadong mababaw ang tingin mo sa mga bagay.”

LJ, who has proven she has the acting chops with a 2010 Cinemalaya Best Supporting Actress and 2016 Gawad Urian Best Actress awards, is also crediting motherhood for her sense of purpose when it comes to work.

“Dati nung wala akong anak, ‘Okey, work, just have fun.’ Ngayon, you work but at the same time, you’re thinking of your son, you’re thinking of your business, you’re thinking of so many things. Motherhood made me experience a lot of emotions that I use in acting.” –VAB/Photo by ALDO NELBERT BANAYNAL