MANILA, Philippines—It’s a comedy of errors on board the cruise ship “Costa Magica” where GMA Films is shooting “I.T.A.L.Y. (I Trust And Love You)”—top-billed by Jolina Magdangal, Rufa Mae Quinto, Dennis Trillo, Rhian Ramos, Mark Herras and Eugene Domingo.

Jolina’s dad Jun told Inquirer Entertainment via SMS on Friday: “Passengers mistook Jolina for a real cabin attendant. They kept ordering her around. They thought she was really a member of the crew and wouldn’t believe it was just a shooting.”

Jolina didn’t mind a bit, he said.

For the Inquirer, she gamely posed in her crisp white cabin attendant uniform in a photo e-mailed by boyfriend Bebong Muñoz from Barcelona, Spain.

Prior to the trip, Jolina and co-stars Eugene and Mark underwent training at Magsaysay Shipping in Manila.

“We want our portrayal to be realistic,” said Jolina.

Judging from her “Costa Magica” experience, Jolina’s transformation was successful.

Method acting, anyone?

Jolina said she was touched by the stories of the ship’s Filipino workers, who comprise 70 percent of the staff. On Friday night, the cast had a farewell party with the Pinoy crew. “Jolina sang for them,” Jun Magdangal said.

In an interview with the Inquirer prior to her departure, Jolina stressed: “I just want to have fun [while doing the movie]. I don’t want to think about the intrigues.”

Original leading man Gabby Concepcion was replaced by Dennis at the last minute.

Jolina said she’s thrilled with the prospect of visiting a total of three continents for the movie.

According to GMA Films head Annette Gozon-Abrogar, the “cruise comedy” directed by Mark Reyes is taking the cast across Asia, Africa and Europe.

In Venice, Jolina was reduced to tears as she did a scene while riding a gondola.

“When the Italians saw me, in a bridal gown, they applauded and cheered,” Jolina reported via SMS.

The very opposite of being ordered around. She didn’t mind this, either.

(Email: bayanisandiego@hotmail.com)