“I WANT to focus on myself first.” INQUIRER PHOTO
Actress Iza Calzado said she would give herself two or three more years before marrying her boyfriend, Filipino-British commercial model Ben Wintle.
“Of course, I’m already thinking of marriage, but I’m not ready for it yet—I hope I’ll be, sooner than later. Children will definitely be around when I get to be 35. I want to focus on myself first,” the 31-year-old actress told the Inquirer.
A recent shampoo commercial featuring the couple had netizens buzzing that Wintle had already proposed. Calzado arrived at the venue for a photo shoot but Wintle, in a suit, came bearing gifts and a bouquet of white flowers. He then treated her to a formal dinner.
“My boyfriend is a very private guy. He will never propose in (a very) public (way). He can’t even understand our tradition of proposing in front of family members—that’s something new to him,” Calzado said.
If the proposal were to happen soon, Calzado said she hoped one of her friends would be there to record her reaction. “I have this fascination with watching how people react when they are caught by surprise—maybe because I’m an actor. I feel that there are things in life that you just can’t act out, that genuine reaction comes out especially in big moments. These are very beautiful to watch and experience,” she explained.
“That’s my only request—for someone to please record (the event) so I can watch myself and see my transition from shock to elation.”
Waiting pays off
Calzado, reacting to comments that she made a bad decision by leaving GMA 7 and transferring to rival network ABS-CBN, said, “People said nothing good had happened to my career since the transfer. ’Di ako papatol. All I can say is that it pays to wait and to trust that the right projects will come your way. Now I’m so grateful.”
Unknown to many, Calzado is working on the second season of “The Biggest Loser: Pinoy Edition” for quite some time now. “We tape twice a week. I realized that people were talking because they didn’t see me on TV as often as they used to. We’re already halfway through with ‘Biggest Loser.’ I just can’t post anything about what we’re doing because of the nature of the show,” she explained.
Calzado also started working on the Olivia Lamasan film “Unlove You,” which also features Piolo Pascual and Toni Gonzaga.
Recently, ABS-CBN hosted a media gathering to announce her inclusion in the primetime drama series “You’re My Home,” which will air early 2014.
“Ang biyaya sabay-sabay kung dumating,” she said. “While on a break, I went on short trips. I had time to detox and to sleep. I think these short trips will have to be put on hold now that work has begun. [Ben and I] will always make time for each other. It’s just that now, he’ll have more time for himself.”
Calzado, who admitted struggling with weight problems growing up, said “Biggest Loser” was special to her. “It’s such an inspiring and amazing show. I can’t wait for the whole world to watch it. The contestants showed determination and discipline. I’m so proud of all of them.”
She added that, as host, she participated in the activities. “Let’s just say I joined them in all their challenges. I also pushed myself until I was dead tired.”
In “You’re My Home,” Calzado will be working alongside Dawn Zulueta, Richard Gomez, Cherrie Pie Picache, Shaina Magdayao and Enchong Dee, among others.
“My character is a blogger. She is fashion-savvy (but) there are a lot of things in her life that need fixing. She hopes for a house she can call home. This is a complicated and challenging role. I hope I’ll be able to do justice to it.”
Continuing struggle
The actor lost her father, choreographer-television director Lito Calzado, to liver cancer in 2011. She said coping with his death had been a continuous struggle.
“He was my home. I’m sure that wherever he is right now, he’s watching over me,” she said. Calzado’s mother also died of cancer when she was 19. “I also miss her, but I only have a vague memory of her. I cry whenever I miss my dad. Sometimes, I talk about him with my brother [rap singer Dash].”
She added, “I’m not the type who often visits my dad’s grave. I feel I don’t need to travel all the way to the cemetery unless it’s his birthday or I’m in the area. I look at his pictures all the time. Now that I’ve agreed to work on this show, I think about him more often.”
Calzado said it also helped that she got to discuss death and grief with colleagues like Maxene Magalona, Isabel Oli and Drew Arellano, who also lost their fathers recently.
“I don’t talk to them regularly but when I see their posts [on social media websites], I reply to them. Drew’s father was my lawyer. When he said he missed buying siopao for his dad, I thought of my dad, too. I understand where he’s coming from. This makes me feel better because I realize that I’m not alone and that life goes on.”
(E-mail mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)