How Glaiza handled the worst intrigue about her

Glaiza de Castro

One of my fave quotes goes: “An eye for an eye will leave the whole world blind,” by Mahatma Gandhi. Revenge is a tricky thing. Should we get even or just leave unpleasant situations to karma?

GMA 7’s newest afternoon soap, “Contessa,” tackles vengeance and redemption.

It is headlined by Glaiza de Castro, who portrays Bea, a woman imprisoned for a crime she didn’t commit. With a new identity, she reclaims her life, plotting revenge against those who took everything from her.

Since it’s Women’s Month, let’s channel our inner “Contessa” and celebrate Woman Power.

Here’s my chat with Glaiza:

What was the worst intrigue about you, and how did you handle it? When someone accused me and my family of using other people to get money. I was dying to speak up, but I had to restrain myself. I just left it to the public to figure out the truth.

What do you remember most about your struggling days? When I would commute to auditions. I even had to wade through floods and squeeze myself into a crowded train.

I remember having a second-hand car, which conked out, so we had to push it. It was in those moments when I promised myself to keep striving to give my family a comfortable life.

If you had to choose between career and love life, which would you pick? Love for career, so I can save and invest. That’ll make my future love life happy because I no longer have to work too hard when I’m financially stable.

Which is tougher to play, protagonist or antagonist? Both. They require the same intensity of emotions.

What are your “dos and don’ts” during shooting? I don’t like hearing noisy cell phones on the set, especially during a run-through. I also don’t like talking about topics that are unrelated to a scene. Reserve the “chikahan” (chatter) for break time.

In what ways are you like your character, Contessa? We’re the same in the sense that we don’t seek revenge just for the sake of it, but we won’t allow people to maltreat us. We refuse to let hard times harden our hearts.

What’s the biggest love lesson you’ve learned so far? Not to let emotions overpower me. Logic is also needed. Getting into a relationship can be strategized. It can’t be all risk.

We all have our destined someone. The pain that comes with love can serve as our teacher. Getting hurt will make us appreciate happiness even more, if and when it eventually comes.

What’s the best and toughest part about being Glaiza de Castro? Best part: That I have supporters who love me no matter how crazy I get…that I’m in a position to influence others

…I can do what I want and need to do. I enjoy the diversity of my work. I’m never stagnant.

Tough part: Balancing all the different aspects of my life. Since I’m doing so many things and still want to achieve a lot, I need to learn how to prioritize and still enjoy the little things.

***

Dr. Vicki Belo and Alden Richards celebrated Valentine’s Day by surprising young cancer patients at the Philippine Children’s Medical Center with food, toys, hygiene kits, coloring books and learning materials. Alden and Vicki beat Cupid by playing Santa.