“It’s nice to work again with Direk Mike after so many years,” she says. “And I feel honored to know that he personally handpicked me for the role of Atom Araullo’s mom. Pareho na kaming nag-mature. When I was first worked with him, I was so scared of him, but now, hindi na masyado. We’re more like friends na. Sabi pa niya, ang galing-galing mo na, serious ka na, hindi na kita maloko.”
And how is it working with Atom? “Marunong siyang umarte. I think he’s born to act. Our scenes are heavy drama kasi wife beater ang father niya at biktima ako so I left him and just disappeared. I appear mostly sa flashback scenes and dream sequences ni Atom in the movie.”
Although she’s active as an actress even on TV, she says what she misses is hosting a talk show. “May nag-propose na noon for me to host a talk show online, pero di natuloy. Actually, maganda kung kami ng anak kong si Danica ang maging co-hosts dahil she also hosted a show for women and housewives sa TV5 before.”How about a proposal for her to be reunited with her “Underage” co-stars Maricel Soriano and
Snooky Serna in a sequel called “Overage”? “I welcome the idea kasi never naman kaming nagkaroon ng conflict nina Maria and Cookie. Pero ayoko nung narinig kong idea ng mga cougar daw kami. Ayoko nga nung mai-in love kami with much younger leading men. Ibang-iba pa nung panahon namin in the 80s and 90s. We’re more well behaved. At walang retoke sa amin, no? You have to be a true beauty to be a movie queen. E ngayon, sana, bago nila pagandahin ang appearance nila, learn first how to improve their craft as an actress.”
So she’s not a “salamat po, doktor” beauty up to now? “Wala pa akong pinaparetoke. I maintain myself through non-invasive procedures. I have facials, but never pa botox or facelift. When I gain weight, I diet, I exercise but no liposuction or surgery, please. Takot akong magpagalaw ng anumang part ng face or body ko.”