MARA. “Show must go on” attitude, dependability and versatility.
For many years, Lollie Pichel Mara never thought of becoming an actress, despite her exceptional beauty highlighted by her particularly expressive eyes, her uniquely “contralto” speaking voice, and her firm links to the performing arts and the world of TV and film, thanks to her late brother, entertainment editor and scriptwriter, Manny Pichel.
She knew many people in the biz – directors, writers, producers – and some of them absolutely doted on and loved her, but she fended off their offers and blandishments – until a producer, through mutual friend, Jullie Yap-Daza, got her to agree to a meeting.
The outcome was a buena mano stint on the pioneering soap, “Flor de Luna” which lasted for years and got Lollie fully into the swim of things, despite her work at Hotel Mirador and RTVMalacañang.
Presence
Unlike many talents who “appear and disappear” on the TV and film screens, Lollie has been a regular presence, appearing in all sorts of roles (generally “mayaman,” as befits her doña beauty) and in all kinds of shows and movies, from the sublime to the sublimely silly—including more than a dozen teleseryes!
They include “Nita Negrita,” “Zorro,” “Vietnam Rose,” “Prinsesa ng Banyera” and the very recent “Ikaw Ay Pag-ibig.”
We asked around to find out why TV directors dote on Lollie, and learned that, aside from her thespic ability and versatility, they like her dependability and professionalism, and lack of airs.
Having cut her production teeth in the theater, her “show must go on” attitude and ability to work with all sorts of people in many different and sometimes exceedingly challenging circumstances have served her in good stead in her TV-film career.
Lollie is also popular with movie directors, and feels privileged to have been mentored by the best of them, including Lino Brocka, Laurice Guillen and Mel Chionglo, in films like “Biktima,” and “Akin Ka, Magdusa Man Ako.”
From them, she learned motivation, paying attention to significant details, and insightful characterization – lessons she regards as priceless, because they were imparted to her by the best in the biz.
What does she get from acting, aside from the financial perks? Lollie shares, her expressive eyes lighting up, “It’s different from what I usually do, so I have to tap into my relatively unused resources – that’s exciting and fulfilling, because I end up knowing more about myself in the process.
Good friends
“It’s also a psychic challenge to play so many different people. And working with other actors, some of whom have become my good friends through the years, makes me feel that I’m a part of a whole sisterhood and brotherhood, an entire artistic community!”
If she had her druthers, what role would she most want to play? Lollie laughs and shares, “A mad character like Bette Davis’ role in ‘Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?’ – talk about exploring new and far-out dimensions, that would be it!”
Well, she certainly has the “Bette Davis Eyes” for it! (Contact Lollie at 776-8647 and 0917 328-7732.)