Daring role for Yayo in ‘The Lookout’

Yayo Aguila in “The Lookout”

Yayo Aguila and I are soul sisters. We go a long way back. Since her ex-hubby, William Martinez, was my first boyfriend, Yayo and I have this running joke. If the three of us were to make a movie, the title would be “Una Siyang Naging Akin (He was Mine First).”

After bagging the best supporting actress plum at last year’s Cinemalaya, Yayo outdoes herself in Afi Africa’s “The Lookout.”
It’s one of the 10 finalists for the 2018 edition of Cinemalaya (set from Aug. 3 to 12 at CCP and select Ayala Cinemas).

The riveting film is about love, betrayal and revenge as seen through the eyes of a gay hired killer who has a score to settle.

For the first time, Yayo portrays a heavy role and does a daring scene.
She isn’t the type who would sit on her laurels. Even at 50, Yayo keeps blooming, soaring and spreading her joie de vivre around so well.

Here’s my chat with Yayo :

What made you accept the offer to do “The Lookout”? It’s a totally different mother role for me. Merlyn Lumotog had to sell her kids to a syndicate, not just for money, but because she wanted them to have a shot at a better life than what she could offer. Her live-in lover beats them up and abuses them every day.

She loves her children, but she has to make a difficult choice. That’s how the story begins.

Did you feel the pressure to do better after your big win last year? After the award last year (for “Kiko Boksingero”), all I could think about were the blessings. I don’t want to pressure myself, but I want to improve and become a better version of me.

What’s the best and toughest part of being a single mom? The toughest part is having to provide for the family and not having a partner you can work side by side with.
The best part is seeing your children happy and proud of you, and appreciating all that you do. They are my rock. I get strength from them.

What will it take for a guy to make you want to fall in love again? Responsibility. Consistency. Selflessness. That he is capable of loving not just me, but also my children.

Yayo Aguila—PHOTO COURTESY OF BENCH SKIN EXPERT

I believe I deserve a man who will love me and take care of me like he would take care of himself.

How’s your relationship as “coparent” with William? We’re friends. Our children visit him and take him out. I’m doing an indie with him now.

We’re OK, and I leave it at that. It’s been 10 years, and the kids and I have stood on our own—financially, emotionally, physically.

What do you find hard to understand about men? Their ego. How they still play around, no matter how deep into a relationship they are.

How do you handle it when you have a scene with a ham actor? Patience is a virtue. Everyone deserves a shot at life. We all start from the bottom before we rise to the top. I give advice, when asked.

How do you manage not to look your age? I’m basically a happy person. I laugh everything off and surround myself with positive people. And I pray a lot.

I eat healthy, but reward myself with cheat days every now and then. I run and play sports. I take care of myself because I believe that, in order for me to take care of my loved ones, I should begin with myself.

What’s the biggest love lesson you learned? Love yourself. Again, it isn’t being selfish at all. It is respecting yourself and having to be whole so you can function as a person. Even without a partner, I can’t let anyone put me down or destroy me.