CONEY REYES is happy with the very warm reception viewers gave to “Love of My Life”, which is ending on March 19.
“It’s such a blessing to be part of the cast,” she says at the show’s farewell zoom presscon.
“I enjoyed working with this talented group immensely and we’re all happy with the great feedback we’re now getting from the viewers.”
She really had fun working with Rhian Ramos, Carla Abellana, Mikael Daez and Tom Rodriguez.
“Nakakatuwang katrabaho itong mga batang artista na seryoso sa trabaho nila. I saw their love for their work. Alam nila kung play time at kung seryoso na.
"Nag-aaral sila, alam nila mga linya nila, hindi lahat inaasa sa director, ginagawa nila homework nila. Yung iba, they come to the set walang script but sila, may markers ang lines nila, they take it seriously.
"Si Tom, nakasundo ko agad. Kahit his character died na, we keep in touch. Si Mikael, may scene, sasampalin ko, sabi ko kay Direk Don Michael Perez, wag na lang.
"But he said, Tita, gusto ko magpasampal. Sabi ko, mabigat ang kamay ko. Okay lang daw. I saw he’s very open and willing to learn.”
How about the girls, Rhian and Carla?
“At first, I thought we won’t hit it off well. Parang ayaw yata sa’kin ng mga batang ito. May wall, mahirap i-break.
"But as time went on, nagkahulihan kami ng ugali, they opened up to me. They saw they can trust me. Both of them are lovable.
"Si Carla, she minds her own business, but when she got sick during the lock in, we became close. Ang galing niya, hindi siya mareklamo, she’s patient, matiisin.
"Alam niyang may asthma ako, she gave me her nebulizer, sobrang na-touch ako na naalala niya ako. Maganda work ethics niya at mahusay siyang artista. Malayo pa ang mararating nila.”
She’s thankful she did the show when she’s already avoiding to do dramas.
“Ayoko na kasi ng heavy drama. Ang dami ko na ngang tinanggihan. E, hindi raw naman ito masyadong drama. Yun pala, grabe rin.
"Ang daming emotional scenes. E, mahirap yung lagi kang nagagalit. My character, si Isabella may good side, may bad side. Just like most of us in real life.
"Ayoko lang ng character na walang redeeming value. But pag tinanggap ko ang isang project, hindi ako puedeng half-hearted, I give it my all.
"Buti na lang, now, bumait na si Isabela. Nag-transform siya. From being an antagonistic mother in law kay Carla as Adelle, sinabihan niya ito na tama si Tom as Stefano sa pagpili sa’yo. You’re beautiful inside and out.”
She admires their director, Don Michael Perez, for being cool on the set.
“Napakakalma lang niya at dun ko na-prove na di mo kailangang magsisigaw o magmura to get things done. Pag ganun ang direktor mo, lalo mong rerespetuhin. And he’s a genius in his craft.
"Matanong ako, e. Ewan ko kung nakulitan siya sa’kin. Kasi I want to know kung ano ang pinanggagalingan ng character para magawa ko nang maayos ang trabaho ko.
"Nahirapan ako rito, pero nasiyahan din ako. After this, they’re asking me nga kung kailan ako uli puede. Sabi ko, pahinga muna ako. Relax-relax lang muna.
"I just want to thank all our viewers for their support. I hope ‘Love of My Life’ would really make a mark with audiences and give them enlightenment to help them make the right decisions in life.”
She also appreciates that the show gave her new fans.
“Yes, dahil dito, nagkaroon ako ng new batch of audience na iba sa mga viewers dati ng ‘Coney Reyes on Camera’. They’re really following me now.
"They get in touch with me. Natutuwa naman akong may mga bata na nire-recognize ang trabaho ko ngayon.”
No doubt Coney is not just an acclaimed actress but also an accomplished mother.
How did she successfully raise her three kids, specially Pasig Mayor Vico Sotto who just got recognized internationally for his efforts in fighting corruption?
“When I surrendered my life to the Lord in 1990, nagbago ang life ko. One thing I learned, love never fails.
"Many things are caught, not taught, so it should be by example and by the grace of God. I asked then, paano ko sila palalakihin, e mag-isa lang ako?
"I turned away from my sins kasi mas gusto kong makita nila ang ginagawa ko, helping others. Isinasama ko sila. Three things are forbidden sa amin: disobedience, telling lies, hurting others.
"Marami akong ginawa at isinakripisyo para sa mga anak ko. Now, I’m now so happy na silang lahat, nasa mabuting landas.”
Vico still lives with her up to now.
“I’m very happy and proud of my son. I’m so thankful to the Lord for all that he is doing. I’m glad that nare-recogtnize ang efforts niya, but he’s not really after the recognition.
"He just wants to make people aware na we can all help eradicate corruption. Kasi naging normal na sa kultura natin ang corruption.
"We always pray together before he leaves and sana, maging inspiration siya to other young leaders that they can all make a stand for the good of the country.
"He has a great team and staff and I’m thankful to the Lord for that. So sana, maging united na tayong lahat against corruption for our country.”
