IN CONVERSATION WITH ALEXANDRA MASANGKAY AND CANDELA SAITTA

interview by JANA LETONJA

Alexandra Masangkay, a powerhouse talent in the Spanish film and television industry, is not only an actress but also a producer, screenwriter, and entrepreneur. She has appeared in some of Spain’s most acclaimed productions, including 'The Pla(orm' (El Hoyo), 'Código Emperador', and '1898: Our Last Men in the Philippines'. Beyond the screen and stage, she is the founder of Lapu- Lapu Estudio, an acting school in Madrid, and a producer at Punisher Rabbit Producciones.

Candela Saitta, a rising star in the international acting scene, began acting in her childhood and has gained critical acclaim with her role in 'Último Primer Día', earning a nomination for Best Breakthrough Actress at the Produ Awards. Most recently, she took on a major role in 'Máxima' on MAX, where she portrays a young Queen of the Netherlands.

Next up, Alexandra and Candela join the Spanish cast of 'The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon' in its highly anticipated third season, premiering on 7th September. Ahead of the release of the third season, the show has been renewed for its fourth and final season.

ALEXANDRA MASANGKAY

Alexandra, you’ve had such a multifaceted career—actor, producer, screenwriter, and teacher. Which role feels most personal to you, and why?
For me, acting, writing, and producing are just different ways of breathing the same creative air. They’re all connected. Being an actress in Spain is challenging because only about 7% of actors can make a living from it. So, some of us have to be creative, inventive, resourceful, and maybe a little stubborn. I love creating characters, so I have the chance to bring them to life as an actress, imagine them as a writer, and as a producer, make the project happen so the rest of the world can see it.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the performing arts, and how did your upbringing in Barcelona with Filipino roots shape that?
Since I was a child, art was my secret language. I painted, I wrote, I sang, I danced— anything to express what I felt inside. But having Filipino parents who had struggled to migrate to Spain made it hard to believe that being an artist was a viable option, so I chose a “safe” path and studied chemical engineering. And yet, at 20, my heart rebelled. I packed my bags for Madrid to train as an actress. Barcelona is a beautiful city, full of art in the streets and constant inspiration. Growing up there, with its large Filipino community, was a blessing because I could grow in both cultures at the same time and nourish the artist I am today.

You played Nala in 'The Lion King' on Madrid’s Gran Vía—a dream role for many. What was that experience like for you as both an actress and singer?
I auditioned for Nala the year 'The Lion King' arrived in Madrid. It was my first audition, and I was nervous and full of insecurities. At that time, I was 18 and hadn’t started my training yet, so, of course, it didn’t happen. But then, ten years later, the opportunity came, and it was a dream come true. It was also a lesson. I learned that we can grow with time and patience, and with hard work, some of our dreams really can come true.

As a producer at Punisher Rabbit Producciones, what kind of stories are you passionate about bringing to life?

Everything that moves me. I love all kinds of genres, it all depends on finding an interesting script. We’ve only just started, we’ve been in the market for just a few years, and I’m still learning through the process.

Lapu-Lapu Estudio is your acting school—what inspired you to start it, and what’s your vision for the next generation of performers?

I wanted to create a home for actors in Madrid, a space where no one is judged for their process, but celebrated for it. Lapu-Lapu is more than a school, it’s a creative community. We’re also connected with Luci Lenox and her Frankenstein Studio, which has allowed us to bring techniques from all over the world to our students.

You'll be starring in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. How did it feel stepping into the globally recognized world of The Walking Dead? Tell us a bit about your role in the upcoming third season.

It’s surreal. Even if you’ve never seen 'The Walking Dead', you know it, it’s part of pop culture. Stepping into that world felt like walking into a legend. As an actress, I had so much fun in this amazing post-apocalyptic world where anything can happen. I was blessed with PAZ, an incredible role that gave me everything an actress could wish for in a project like this, an interesting backstory, a love story, a strong character with fighting skills, and of course, weapons.

What’s coming up next for you? Any upcoming projects or roles you can share?

This year is full of firsts. I’ll be releasing several projects, but the most personal is directing my first short film, a story I wrote and produced myself. I feel blessed to have the chance to work in something creative that connects me with the very nature of our existence.

CANDELA SAITTA

Candela, your acting journey started quite young. Do you remember a specific moment when you knew this was what you wanted to do?

That´s right, I started working in the industry when I was six. Back then, I was just a girl having fun. As I grow older, I keep reminding myself that the most important thing is to stay playful and creative. There wasn’t one specific turning point. This is a tough profession, and the only thing that truly gives me real certainty to keep going is passion.

How did growing up in Argentina shape your perspective as an actress, and how has that evolved since moving to Madrid?

Growing up in Argentina taught me to live life with passion. It shaped the way I connect with people, always with warmth and closeness. I think that definitely fueled my work as an actress from the very beginning. Then, as a teenager, I moved to Madrid with nothing but a suitcase full of dreams. Living in Spain showed me what it’s like to be far from family and friends, and that experience helped me grow so much. It also gave me a new perspective on life, and I think that growth has shaped me as an actress too. Over the past few years, I’ve gained so much experience and I’m truly grateful for all the opportunities that have come my way.

We've recently seen you in 'Máxima', where you portrayed the young Queen of the Netherlands. What kind of research or preparation went into playing such a historically rooted character?

Before joining the project, I was already familiar with many aspects of her story. But later on, once we were deep into rehearsals and script readings, we had long conversations as a team to clarify and explore certain topics more thoroughly. We approached everything with great respect, for her, and for her family.

With over 21K followers and a growing international presence, how do you approach social media as a young actress?

These days, it’s unavoidable. It’s part of our job. I see social media as a double-edged sword. On one hand, it connects us with the world and gives us visibility, which can be really valuable. But on the other, it can also be isolating and disconnect us from real life. It’s important to remember that what we see online is rarely real. Most of it is curated, filtered, and based on impossible standards. And believing that’s what life is supposed to look like can be incredibly overwhelming. For me, it’s all about balance. I try to stay grounded by doing things that make me feel good and present—working out, boxing, playing the drums, reading, dancing.

Do you feel a responsibility to represent certain voices or themes through your work, especially as your influence grows?

I really value it when an artist uses their voice to say something meaningful. In a world with so much violence, it’s important to speak up and take a stand against the things that reflect poorly on us as a society. I believe it truly makes a difference. And of course, whenever I can, it would be a dream to tell stories that feel meaningful to me and truly resonate. That might be one of my biggest long-term goals, to be able to choose the stories I want to tell.

You've trained with some remarkable mentors like Claudio Tolcachir and Julio Chávez. What is the most valuable lesson you’ve taken from them?

They’ve been incredible teachers and a constant source of inspiration. Acting is a path of self-discovery, and I’ve been lucky to feel truly supported along the way. I’m not the same actress I was at 17. You grow, you change, you evolve. And having someone there to walk alongside you through that process is something I deeply treasure. Those spaces mean a lot to me. They’ve been places where I could play, take risks, and create freely, with joy.

You’re part of the main cast in 'The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon', a universe vastly different from your past work. What was it like stepping into such an iconic franchise, and what can we expect when we'll meet your character?

It’s a huge production, and I honestly feel so grateful to have been welcomed with such warmth. We’re telling a post-apocalyptic story, but at its core, it’s really about human connection. My character feels everything deeply. She’s led by a genuine empathy, but in a world like this, it can also be dangerous. There’s also a love story with my amazing scene partner, Hugo Arbues, which brings a special layer to the show. In a setting like this, where everything’s on the edge, love feels even more intense, like everything is heightened.

TEAM CREDIT:

talents ALEXANDRA MASANGKAY and CANDELA SAITTA
photography ANDRÉS GARCIA LUJÁN
styling ELISA SANZ
hair and makeup CAMILA DÍEZ and LUNA LATUF at One Off Artists
photography assistant ISA ANDUEZA
styling assistant YAIZA DIAZ
production and press officer ANGELA CARIDDI
location PLATÓ 24