Working for the first time with
veteran actress Vilma Santos and
noted director Joyce Bernal in
Everything About Her has given
Angel Locsin new insight into
being an actress.
“She’s such a joy to work
with,” Angel said of Vilma.
“Everyone na makasama namin
sinasabi na ang saya daw ng set
kapag kasama si Gob.”
She also described Vilma
as kind, gracious and very
professional.
“’Pag nakikita mo na siya
nang harap-harapan, sobrang
humbling. Ito, Vilma Santos,
ang laki-laking pangalan, living
legend, pero kung umarte siya sa
harap namin… siya pa ’yung naga-apologize, lagi siyang maaga sa
set, lagi siyang ready. Kahit sinong
kausap niya pantay-pantay. Never
siyang nagpakita ng mood niya.
Bilang isang baguhang artista ay
nakaka-inspire siya,” Angel said.
She lauded Vilma for being
genuine and open to everyone.
“Totoong-totoo at napaka-sincere
niyang tao.”
Angel noted how Vilma is
concerned about the welfare of
the cast and crew, even making
sure everyone has had lunch or
dinner. “Kapag nandiyan si tita ay busog lahat. Bawal po magutom.
Asikasong-asikaso niya po lahat.
Hindi niya po hahayaang may
isang madehado,” she related.
She further revealed that Vilma isn’t averse to a little on-set
banter. “Si tita bangka po ’yan ng
kuwento. Kapag nagkukuwento
po ’yan, may tayo po ’yan at
kailangan may action pa.”
She described the governor as an avid newspaper reader “kaya
alam niya ang lahat ng nakasulat
diyan, walang nakakaligtas sa
kanya,” and a supporter of local
releases. “May bitbit din siyang
TV every day – de kahon pa.
Pinapanood niya Pilipino palagi,”
Angel pointed out.
She downplayed the idea of
her being already chummy with
the award-winning actress and
politician, who is also the mother
of her boyfriend Luis Manzano.
“Hindi ko naman masabing
close pero ang suwerte ko kasi
ang bait ni tita sa akin on cam
and off-cam,” she said.
In Everything About Her,
Angel plays a nurse tasked to take
care of Vilma’s character.
She admitted initially having
doubts if she would be able to
pull it off, epecially since she has
to act with someone like Vilma,
whom she looks up to.
Thankfully, Angel found an
invaluable mentor in Direk Joyce,
who minces no words with what is
expected of her.
“Buti na lang po nagkaroon
ako ng director na nakatutok
talaga at hindi siya nahihiya talaga
na pagsabihan ako. (Sasabihin
niya) ‘Gel, ’wag ’yan, ayoko ’yan.
Ayoko ng magandang iyak. Gusto
ko mas jologs pa, gusto ko mas
natural, ’wag mo akong artehan,
’wag mo akong bigyan ng actingacting (dahil) hindi ito drama.
Nagpapasalamat talaga ako kay
direk Joyce. Kung anuman ang
ipapakita ko sa pelikulang ito
hindi ko magagawa kung walang
gabay (niya).”•
– A. Brosas, MB
Angel on working with Vilma
