ABELLANA was “a little shocked” by some “Karelasyon” stories.
THOUGH she is personally not in favor of divorce because she believes in the “sanctity of marriage,” Carla Abellana acknowledges the fact that each relationship is different, and that she understands why some couples end up parting ways.
“We cannot judge those who choose to separate; the reason behind their decision is complex. It depends on the situation. At times, staying together could actually be more destructive to the people in the relationship,” she told the Inquirer at a media gathering for the first anniversary special of the drama anthology, “Karelasyon” (April 30 on GMA 7).
The Kapuso actress’ stand on divorce, she related, is shaped largely by her experience growing up in a broken family. Carla, 29, said she was “barely 5 years old” when the marriage of her parents, Rey “PJ” Abellana and Rea Reyes, was annulled.
“I know what it was like to be a child and not have both parents at home… And when you are young, at times you find yourself comparing your family to others.” she said. “But, as I matured and heard both sides, I developed a better understanding of why things are the way they are.”
Hosting “Karelasyon,” Carla said, has exposed her to myriad stories about different kinds of relationships—and the conflicts that beset them—and helped her be more open to such. “At first, I was a little shocked by some of the stories we were featuring, but they were real… they are happening,” she said.
“These days, a relationship is not necessarily just between a man and a woman or people of the same race, age or social class. In the program, we get to see how they handle their issues,” Carla added. “We just have to be more perceptive, empathetic.”
According to Carla, no matter what kind of relationship the show is tackling, there are usually two things that bind all the stories. “As cliché as it sounds, love conquers all—and that family remains an important part of our lives,” said Carla, who is also part of the GMA 7 soap, “Because of You,” and the sitcom, “Ismol Family.”
For “Karelasyon’s” coming anniversary, Carla, for the first time, will be acting in an episode called “Live-In” opposite her rumored boyfriend, Tom Rodriguez.
The two actors portray a couple whose plans of getting married hang in the balance, after a slew of problems plague them, seven years into their relationship.
Does she believe in living together for a certain period before tying the knot? “I do not think it is a requirement, just so you could learn from each other, or experience what your partner is like in a household,” she said. “You can see it in the way your partner takes control of his life.”
At the moment, Carla’s weekdays are devoted to tapings; her weekends to obligations to her sponsors. While traditional gender roles dictate that the wife should stay at home and be submissive to her husband, Carla noted that women are now free to pursue what they want in life.
“I would like to believe that men these days accept and understand that women can be their own person; that we can be independent and responsible; that we can also do the things they can,” she said.
E-mail apolicarpio@inquirer.com.ph