Comedy a refreshing change for Kristine Hermosa

KRISTINE Hermosa-Sotto

Though Kristine Hermosa’s acting comeback—via the new weekly GMA 7 sitcom, “Hay, Bahay!”—has a lot of her longtime fans rejoicing, there are some who are quite disappointed that she isn’t staging it on ABS-CBN, where she began her career and made a name for herself.

But that does not dampen her excitement about doing the thing she has so missed, after choosing to focus on raising a family.

“It’s fine with me. If someone really idolizes or supports you, he or she will follow you, regardless of which network you’re in,” she told reporters at a recent press conference.

The 32-year-old star was incredibly glad to be in front of the cameras once again, so much so that during her first taping day, she could not help but get teary-eyed. “I am thrilled, but also nervous. I am leaving it to God. This is a blessing, and I want to just enjoy the experience,” Kristine said.

She also clarified that doing a show on GMA 7 was not an issue to ABS-CBN, because her contract with the latter station has been long over.

Kristine did tell her former bosses about her plans, though, for good measure. “They told me that they have my back, as long as what I am doing is making me happy,” she related. “And I am.”

The project offers didn’t really stop coming despite her hiatus, she related, but most of them she did not accept, because she didn’t want to give up a chunk of her time that she could otherwise spend with her loved ones.

On the way

She has three children with husband, Oyo Sotto—Ondrea, Kaleb and adopted son Kiel—and a fourth one on the way.

“I’m a professional; I won’t commit to something I can’t pull off. I always give my best in a project, and I knew that I wouldn’t be able to do that, because I wanted to be there as they were growing up,” said Kristine, who is currently four months pregnant with a boy.

Top priority

And that is still her top priority. So, while a weekly sitcom is doable for her, starring in a television series is out of the question, especially heavy dramas which, Kristine admitted, had left her feeling burned out.

“I do not see myself returning to show biz full-blast. I am content with what I’m doing now—relaxed,” she said.

“When I was active, I did one drama project after another, on television and movies. I guess I have grown tired of it. It’s also physically draining. I wouldn’t have enough energy for my children,” added Kristine, considered one of the most beautiful faces in the industry.

In “Hay,” Kristine plays Batch, wife to Yoyo (Oyo), who decides to rent out two rooms in their spacious house at a low price.

The catch? It has only one bathroom, which spurs an uproarious chaos among the couple’s tenants: the neat-freak food blogger Vio (Vic Sotto), his cousin Mael (Jose Manalo), the sloppy events planner Lav (Ai-Ai delas Alas) and her half-brother Sikat (Wally Bayola).

“Life is already full of drama! Comedy is a refreshing change,” quipped Kristine, who had played Vic’s leading lady in the comedy-fantasy “Enteng Kabisote” films.

“Even back when I was doing dramas, I have always wanted to be part of something lighthearted… a breather of sorts. I’m happy with the path I chose,” she said.

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