Interview by: Jenina F. Alli
Photography by: Xander Angeles
Styling: Millet Arzaga
Makeup: Victor Palmos

What are you busy with?
I’m on day three of shooting Lupe, a film that was first offered to Angelu de Leon, but she turned it down. That’s the working title right now, I don’t know if they’re gonna stick with that. Right after I signed with Viva, they gave the role to me.

What role do you play?
It’s the typical story of a woman na walang pinag-aralan. She got married to a seaman, and because of her husband’s absence, she fell for another guy, not knowing that this other guy was around because the husband asked him to be around. May gusto siyang mangyari (the husband). Yung twist n’ung story nagre-revolve dun.

Playing a seaman’s wife, feeling what it’s like to be apart from your better half, do you believe in long distance relationships?
I’ve never been in that situation before, but I guess it would be really hard.

Even with technology that makes the world a smaller place, like email?
Siyempre iba pa rin yung presence ng isang tao. People have needs. We need to be touched, we’re only human.

What misconception do people have about you?
Mataray. I guess because of the roles I’ve played—the bitch, the other woman. Hopefully they see I’m not like that in real life.

Do you share certain traits with Joey, the character you played in ABS-CBN’s localized Sex and the City version, Attagirl?
Joey was the strongest, the most aggressive. Siya yung Samantha (from SATC) sa Attagirl. Hmmm…gan’un ba ako? When I was younger, I was more aggressive. Mas fight-for-your-man ako… if I like a guy, I’d jump on him, tipong, “Tangina halika na rito!” When you’re young, you have less inhibitions, di ba? Parang walang bukas.

We beg of you: Please don’t tell us you’ve also been bitten by that annoying bug called “maturity”!
Haha! Siyempre as you get older, you have to watch your moves. You can’t be pabandying-bandying na lang; you have to think twice, use your head naman—in everything, things to do with money, things to do with your career.

Enough with the sober talk. Ever made it to Santa’s “naughty” list?
One time when I had a date, we were drunk, and we were with a few friends. And out of nowhere, I just whispered something in his ear, and right after, parang, “Okay we’re out of here! Check please! Wrap up, wrap up!” Hahaha!

So you’ve been a bad girl!
Not anymore! Like I’ve said, dati yun. Now I use my head.

Uh-oh. When women start “using their head,” it usually spells trouble for guys. We’ll wager a guess: You’re now a jaded man-hater?
I have three brothers, I can never bring myself to be a man-hater. I ask advice from them pa nga when it comes to my lovelife. Tinatanong ko minsan, “Gan’un ba talaga ang lalaki? Hindi ba talaga puwedeng hindi siya madapa or matukso?” And their replies have always been, “Ganyan talaga.” So parang, I’ve resigned na to that fact.

So, man-hater, no, jaded, yes?
Hmm…I dunno…I still believe in true love. Not that I’ve found it, but I still believe in it. Right now, though, my career is getting all my attention, especially with this path that I took. In this kind of industry kasi, you can’t just stall in the middle of things.

the main dish: What was your first romp in the sack like?
Ouch! Parang gusto kong sapakin! Parang gusto ko siyang sigawan, “Leche ang sakit!” I couldn’t sit properly after! (laughs)

And when did the screeching stop and the moaning begin?
When it didn’t hurt anymore!