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By Michael Lim, Contributor
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Domingo
with Regine Velasquez
in Kim Sam Soon |
No denying that Eugene Domingo is hot, hot, hot!
Not only is she regarded as the ‘intelligent comedienne,’ but
she is also one of our most credible dramatic actors around.
Proof of this is her most recent victory at the
5th Golden Screen Awards of the Entertainment Press Society, where
she was unanimously voted as best supporting actress for her
splendid performance in Pisay, an independent film about the lives
of students of the highly revered Philippine Science High School
during the final years of the Marcoses.
This is Domingo’s fourth acting award in a
row. At the end of 2007, she won the supporting actress award at the
Metro Manila Film Festival for her funny antics in Joel Lamangan’s
Bahay Kubo. Then she created history when she tied with herself at
the Gawad Tanglaw Awards for Cinema Excellenece. Imagine the uproar
when the presenter announced, “And the winners for Best Supporting
Actress are—Eugene Domingo for Pisay and Eugene Domingo for Foster
Child!”
Tonight, Domingo is again a strong contender for
the Star Awards’ Best supporting actress plum, unless talks are
true that the organizers openly favor the contract artists of ABS-CBN,
the giant network of the Lopezes which incidentally is producing the
awards night for television. If everything is played fair and equal,
Domingo should win hands down over her rivals as she played the
Science teacher in her small film with such aplomb.
“I don’t really feel any pressure right now,
except perhaps for the gown I am going to wear for the awards
night,“ she says in jest when we cornered her at the press
conference for the soon-to-be-aired romantic comedy Ako si Kim Sam
Soon, ‘Kailangang maganda ako,” she affirms.
She adds, “Seriosuly, I am grateful for being
noticed, nominated and recognized for my work as an actor. I think
that it is a stamp of approval that what I am doing is right. The
mere fact that producers and directors trust me and cast me in their
wonderful projects is already a big confidence booster.”
The Theater Arts graduate from the University of
the Philippines-Diliman certainly talks sense. Her range is wide,
just like her vast artistic sensibilities. “My training in theater
has truly helped me understand why I am here in this business, why
it is my job to be credible and believable in every role I take on,
whether I am making people laugh, think, or cry.”
She says she credits her teachers for instilling
in her a sense of pride in what she has chosen to pursue, singling
out Tony Mabesa, who is also a film, stage and televison actor.
Domingo shares that she also gets inspiration
from fellow actors and industry workers who have a true passion for
their craft. Take the case of Regine Velasquez, the lead character
in Kim Sam Soon. “I have worked with Regine in the past and we
have this unspoken understanding to connect at a certain level in
order for us to be effective in portraying our roles.”
She also singles out Cherry Pie Picache, who won
Best Actress at the Golden Screen for Brillante Mendoza’s Foster
Child, where the two worked together. “ I am very comfortable
working with Pie because we both know we understand each other’s
worth and we accept each other’s strength and weaknesses as
actors. More than that, we are very good friends.”
She feels that she is making the right moves and
despite being thrown into the fast lane the last couple of months,
she says she is enjoying work tremendously. “ I love acting. It is
part of who I am and Who I always wanted to be. It has brought me to
places where I haven’t been to like Italy, Spain and France (for
the soon to be released Mark Reyes film Italy (I Trust and Love
You). It has immersed me in different local cultures and I have
learned local dialects (Cuyonan in Palawan where she shot Dante
Garcia’s Ploning) which I wasn’t even aware of before.”
Some showbiz controversy-hatchers are trying to
make an issue of her accepting work in GMA7 when she has always been
known to be associated with ABS-CBN. “My manager talks to the
producers and if the role is good, the working environment is
pleasant and the working conditions are acceptable, we consider. Of
course, I need to save and if the price is right, we accept. I
reiterate that I have no contract with any network and I feel good
to be able to work with everyone,” she explains.
Domingo adds, “ I am happy to be able to work
with the Kim Sam Soon group. Masaya kami sa set, magaan lahat. I am
truly happy.”
As a proof that she’s busier than ever,
Domingo is also part of Joey Reyes’s My Monster Mom and the
Cinemalaya entry of first time film director Chris Martinez, 100.
She is currently working with Ai ai de las Alas in Wenn Deramas’
Ang Tanging Ina Ninyong Lahat, a potential December filmfest entry.
Her Bear Brand commercials are also a big hit and people have
started to use her signature word “Imagine!” in their daily
conversations.
“I know the importance of having balance in
one’s life so I make it a point to relax, go to the salon, read a
good book, watch a good film, get a massage and travel,”she tells
us. Domingo had wonderful memories of Batanes and Abra, where all
she did was explore the sights,, sounds and surroundings with best
buddy Andoy Ranay, a promising television director. A trip to New
York is in the works at the end of the year.
Eugene Domingo realizes that life has certainly
changed for the better. “ I am thankful for all the opportunities
that come and the chances to become a better actor, a kinder friend,
and a more importantly, a better and happier person. I guess that is
more important than the number of projects I am working on,
right?” We certainly agree.
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