Iza Calzado has no qualms portraying a mistress

IZA CALZADO admits that she can be territorial. Richard Reyes

THEY say you can’t have it all. But Iza Calzado seems to be an exception to that. Her love life and career are both in full bloom. She’s such a woman of substance and grace. Yet being the seasoned actress that she is, Iza has no qualms about portraying a kept woman in Star Cinema’s “Etiquette for Mistresses” (opens Sept. 30).

The movie is inspired by Jullie Yap Daza’s best-selling book of the same title. I still have that book given to me by Jullie with this dedication: “To Dolly, who will someday be a femme fatale and write the book to end all books.”

The film tells the story of a group of sophisticated, well-mannered mistresses played By Kris Aquino, Claudine Barretto, Kim Chiu, Cheena Crab and Iza Calzado. It gives us a glimpse into the secret world of mistresses and lets us in on the thrill of a liaison dangereuse.

Not all extramarital affairs are the same. Some can cause the breakup of a marriage, while others are the (after) effect of a marriage that’s long been dead. They say that wives must learn how to be like mistresses to keep the fire burning lest their husbands start playing with fire. Here’s my tête-à-tête with Iza:

If Cupid hits you, would you be willing to be a mistress? Why or why not?

Honestly, I wouldn’t want to be a mistress because I’m very territorial. I can’t handle having to share a partner with someone else. However, if Cupid hits me, I can only pray that I don’t hurt too many people in the process.

After shooting “Etiquette for Mistresses,” what’s your unsolicited advice to mistresses?

I have no unsolicited advice, as I’ve never been in their situation. Who am I to tell them what to say or do? But I would like to remind them that we all make choices for ourselves.

Do you and your boyfriend Ben Wintle have marriage plans already? What’s your dream wedding?

We have no definite plans yet. My dream wedding is a small one, held in a beautiful place with delicious food, great music, crazy dancing—and surrounded by my loved ones, of course.

What did you discover about Kris, Claudine and Kim while shooting your movie?

I discovered just how thoughtful and sweet Ate Kris can be, how amazingly talented Ate Clau is as an actress, how candid and funny Kim is.

What are your cheap thrills?

Walking and exploring, especially when I’m abroad.

What are your top three beauty tips?

Drink lots of water and have a healthy lifestyle, moisturize and have a positive attitude.

If you were married and your husband had a mistress, how would you handle it?

’Yan … Lalabas na ang pagka-jologs ko … Suntukan na lang sa kanto. Seriously … I hope that whatever happens I can still be an epitome of grace, dignity and elegance as I leave my husband for a more gorgeous man!

What can wives learn from mistresses?

I can’t speak from the point of view of a mistress but from what I’ve gathered I think you have to always cater to your man, remember to be strong but not to the point that you crush his ego, take care of yourself and your body, and be fun in every way you can, especially in the bedroom! Now if your man still leaves or cheats on you despite all this, go find someone better!

How would you like to be remembered?

As a woman who put her heart into everything she did, made others feel good about themselves and inspired others to be the best they could be.

Guess list

Two heartthrobs almost got into a fight after a major bash. The newbie allegedly provoked the slightly older matinee idol. The event was meant to foster camaraderie among celebs. But it did not work for these two hot-headed hotties.

Could it be true that an actress dressed to the nines arrived at a gala with her boyfriend as escort. But after one drink too many, she went home with another guy? Dramatic entrance, ungraceful exit!

Personal

Muchisimas gracias to my Darna friend, Mr. Fu of Energy FM, and the cool first vice president of Rizal Commercial Banking Corp. (RCBC), Joee Guilas, for inviting me to be one of the judges in RCBC’s “SineSining.”