BEING a single woman in your 30s can be quite a challenge especially if other women your age are either getting hitched or having kids. You may find yourself lost or confused despite having a successful career, confronted with the question of why you haven’t met the love of your life yet. Where is that guy who will sweep you off your feet? The one you’ll spend happily ever after with?
Well, if you’re in this situation, the story of Chinggay, the central character in Star Cinema’s romantic comedy movie “The Achy Breaky Hearts” and played by versatile actress Jodi Sta. Maria is something you can relate to. Chinggay’s story tugged at the heartstrings of viewers, raking in P14 million on the film’s opening day.
“The Achy Breaky Hearts” is about a woman in her 30s desperate to find true love. Her struggles turn into a roller coaster ride of emotions when two guys—an old flame named Frank (played by Richard Yap) and a new suitor Ryan (Ian Veneracion)—battle it out to win her heart.
If you are in Chinggay’s shoes, would you choose the guy who comes back to woo you again? Or would you go for the man you just met and is just waiting for a chance to show his love? In short, are you Team Chinoy (Frank) or Team Tisoy (Ryan)?
Before you can even make your choice, the film delivers a message to all single women: That no matter what age you are, it is not right to settle for someone out of desperation. Take it from Jodi herself: “Never apologize for raising your standards in love, because a man who really wants to be part of your life will rise up to meet your standards.” (AMT)
How would you describe the experience of doing this film?
Jodi: For me kasi each show or project that I make is an entirely different experience, but this one I’d say is that it’s really fun kasi kasama ko sila pareho, parehong bugoy, parehong makulit, parehong napakabait (laughs). So hindi talaga ako nahirapan na gawin ’tong film na ito kasi magaan silang dalawa kasama and nakatulong din talaga na maganda ang script and napakagaling ng aming director.
In the trailer you said if you could have them both. But who do you really end up with?
Jodi: You have to see the film. Ayokong galing sa akin. Let’s see kung kanino mage-end up si Chinggay.
Ian, what were you doing at the time when you were not so busy in showbiz?
Ian: Well, actually I have always been doing my work as an actor. Sometimes for ABS-CBN, sometimes for another network. I have never stopped working. It is just that some projects gained more attention than others. Some were not that noticed, and that’s why it was a good comeback with “Pangako Sa ‘Yo,” the one we (Jodi) did. Of course, it was a success.
Are you still active as a pilot?
Ian: I am a licensed private pilot, but I don’t intend to fly commercially. I need additional plane hours for that. My tito, my lolo were pilots also. But I am happy with my job.
Richard, how is your restaurant (Wangfu) doing?
Richard: It’s doing very well. In fact, we opened another new branch at Marquee Mall in San Fernando, Pampanga. And in a few months we will open a new one in Ortigas.
So, how do you manage your time between acting and managing the restaurant?
Richard: I guess it’s time management. When I have no tapings and shootings, I take care of the other business that I do. We also recently opened showrooms for office furniture and kitchen. It helps that there are people you can depend on— you have to have the right people.
Jodi is this your first leading role in a mainstream movie. You starred in the indie film, “Aparisyon” before.
Jodi: Yes, for mainstream. This is the first.
Richard Yap, Jodi Sta Maria and Ian Veneracion
Don’t you feel the weight on your shoulders?
Jodi: Ayokong isipin ang pressure kasi ang lakas maka-stress. Basta ang alam ko I did what I can for this film. I gave my best with the project sa lahat ng ito, I think I am okay with that. Ayoko na ring isipin so ‘yon, ayoko talaga siya isipin (laughs).
Is it like your first movie?
Jodi: I am really grateful for this project. There is always a first naman talaga. I waited for this for 17 years and after 17 years, God has blessed me with this beautiful project so okay na, ini-enjoy ko nalang so para walang pressure. As long as alam naman natin na ginawa naman natin yung best natin, the best that we can do. And now we leave it up to God. The success of this project will come from Him.
You have worked individually with both in several projects. Ano yung strength nila as an actor and how do you blend with them?
Jodi: Well, I believe … pang beauty pageant ‘yong question eh! (laughs). Strengths? Number one with Ian is ‘yong experience niya as an actor. He has more experience… kung baga experience is the best teacher. Ang dami na n’yang nagawa from horror to action to drama and now romantic comedy. And kay Richard naman, since he is relatively new in the business, parang I think ‘yung strength niya is being able to adapt kung ano ‘yong kailangan niya for example, in his craft. I believe that he is fun. I mean he is very open to new things, fresh.
For Richard, how is it working every day on the set for a teleserye compared to a movie? Which is easier for you?
Richard: Doing a movie is easier. The schedule is not as bad as the teleserye since the teleserye runs for a long time while a movie will run for two months, and the schedule is not as hectic. Sometimes we reach early mornings in our taping. Pero di na siya ganun ka grabe as before.
For Ian, how is Jodi as a leading lady?
Ian: Kung meron man akong best friend na babae, si Jodi ‘yon. Kasi we were together in Pangako Sa ‘Yo; especially towards the end of our show, we talked about everything, from philosophy to kalokohan.
Jodi: Ikaw ha, you are so naughty! (laughs)
Ian: Sige ako lang, sige. Siya ‘yung tagapalo lang sa akin. Anyway ‘yon nga, we are very comfortable with each other. It’s a lot of fun, and the respect is there. We are very professional also when it comes to our work.
For Jodi, how do you relate the title of the movie to the story itself?
Jodi: Well ‘yong The Achy Breaky Hearts, tulad nga ng sabi ng title, it’s really a heart issue. May isa na galing sa isang break-up, may isa na longing for a partner, and then may isang character na hoping to get back sa isang character.
What are the values one can learn from the movie?
Ian: You will definitely see the usual problems and pressures in our society ng single na babaye. As what you saw on the trailer, sabi “Uy, kailan ka mag-aasawa?” Because it’s really like that. There is really pressure, and it’s nice to see the character of Chinggay deal with it in the entire movie. ‘Yon nga, there’s a series of wrong decisions that can lead to more heartaches. ‘Yon ‘yong mapapanood ninyo, on how she deals with it.
Richard: I think the moral of the story here is that like for Chinggay’s case is you should never settle for anyone just because you are being pressured. That is what we are trying to convey, you have to stick to your standards and don’t just fall for anyone just because na-pressure ka na wala kang boyfriend and all that. Because if you lower your standards nga, baka you might not be happy with what you get.
In your case, probably in your real life, what do you think is the value of your character?
Richard: My character is very persistent, a go-getter, and he thinks that people should also work hard for what they want.
Jodi, have you experienced having to choose between two guys?
Jodi: Honestly I have been asked that question so many times but in the end, never pa nangyari. Kaya feel na feel ko ’tong film na ‘to. So ‘yon nakakatawa lang gawin ‘yong film kasi at least na– experience ko kung paano pag-agawan, nakakahaba ng hair na may curls curls pa sa dulo (laughs).
Ian, Jodi and Richard answer questions from Cebu’s entertainment press.
How did you prepare for this role?
Jodi: Just like in any other roles that I did, you give birth to a new character. So ika-character map mo siya, bibigyan mo siya ng aspirations, mga frustrations niya, how is she as a sister, may personal history ba.
May model ka ba to get the inspiration for this person?
Jodi: Yes, actually I know someone very close to my character, so siya ‘yong ginawa kong peg. Pati ‘yung eyeglasses niya, kinuha ko rin.
What are your similarities with Chinggay?
Jodi: Siguro pareho kami ni Chinggay na hardworking, na inuuna ‘yong family, at pareho kaming kalog.
For Ian, kasi dun sa Pangako Sa ‘Yo, without intending it, kinikilig yung publiko sa inyo. It was a love story-heavy drama, and now it’s a romantic comedy. In real life, you are married pero ganun ang reaction ng tao— kinikilig sa inyo.
Ian: ‘Yon nga sa Pangako Sa ‘Yo, that was unexpected naman. But we’re good friends and professional sa work namin… Na meron kaming kilig… it’s
flattering.
For Richard, what do you hate and like about your character?
Richard: I can’t say I have something to hate about my character kasi lovable si Frank (laughs). Siguro may konting angas, medyo mayabang si Frank. Just because he’s successful in what he does, he thinks he can get whatever he wants. I think that is his only negative trait. The positive thing is that he really works hard for what he wants.
Any similarities with you in real life?
Richard: I think it’s the persistence and the determination to work hard. People used to think of me as aloof because I’m very shy. Before I joined showbiz I couldn’t come up here and talk like this. I hated having my picture taken. I don’t want to be in the limelight. I don’t want my private life to be a part of the business. People had to explain to me that it’s part of being in showbiz.
Ian, are there any more roles you want to portray?
Ian: I have done a lot of movies, from being a teen actor. I’m glad that my roles are maturing also as I mature in real life. I am happy that I never got stuck in one genre. Actually, wala. I’m happy with my 25 years in showbiz.
What about a sexy role?
Ian: (laughs) ‘Yun lang di ko nagagawa. ‘Yun o! Natawa si Jodi. She knows how uncomfortable I am. Even pag may-love scene kami, nagagalit siya. “Sige na nga magtanggal ka na nga ng shorts.” Ganun siya sa akin, “Ako nga naka ganito na, ang arte-arte mo naman.” Kasi ako, maarte talaga ako when it comes to… you know. I’m not comfortable with it, ‘yung kissing scenes. It helps that I have a kalog co-actor to break the ice.
Jodi, what is your advice for single women looking for love?
Jodi: Ang dami, depende talaga sa situation. What I would say… Do not expect a partner to complete you or to fix you. A partner only complements you. Also, do not settle because you’re desperate to find a partner, to have someone beside you. It’s important that you know your worth first as a woman. Because if you do not see your value, you will always be choosing people who won’t see it either. And then never apologize for raising your standards in love. Because the man who really wants to be in your life will rise up to meet those standards.
Ian: A reading from … (laughs)
Jodi, Ian mentioned that sometimes you talk about religion. There was an interview where you said na you were at the peak of your career and yet felt empty until you found God.
Ian: Mahaba ‘to, babalik nalang ako.
Jodi: I thought that fame, money and the favor of many really completed me, and filled the void I felt then. But it was also at the peak of my career … when I found that the top of the ladder was empty. It was also during that time when I found nothing, I also found everything. You see, our hearts are made to long for God. But the thing is we always long for the things that will only give us temporary satisfaction. Until our hearts are filled with the
love of God and with Jesus… that’s the time that we’ll experience true satisfaction. Walang kahit na anong bagay sa mundo na pwedeng pumuno dun sa void na ‘yun.
During which time was this specifically?
Jodi: It happened during “Be Careful With My Heart.” That was the peak of my career and I thought ‘yun ang kailangan ko sa life ko to be able to truly happy and fulfilled. But wala, eh. All the more I felt broken and depressed and empty despite my success. It didn’t fill that void inside of me.
What is in store for you after this movie?
Jodi: I am filming another movie with Erik Matti for the MMFF (Metro Manila Film Festival).
Ian: In a couple of weeks, I’m starring a new show with Bea Alonzo and Iza Calzado for “The Second Wife.”
Richard: I am also doing another movie for the MMFF. Iba naman ‘yung genre namin. Mine is more on family but we have yet to finalize.
Jodi, tell us more about your MMFF movie.
Jodi: It’s a psychological thriller. Suspense siya, meron din horror. Basta halo-halo so ibang genre na naman ulit. I’m really excited but at the same time parang sobrang nervous din because it’s the first time that I’ll be working with Erik Matti. And when we first met, he said, “I really demand from my actors.” (laughs) Natakot ako.