Cherry Pie, at 50, feels more liberated, happier with ‘newfound peace’

“There’s newfound peace,” declared Cherry Pie Picache when Inquirer Entertainment asked her to describe how it feels like to be 50. “And yes, I feel happier and more liberated; this goes with all the realizations of having to experience this pandemic,” said Cherry Pie, who turned “golden” last May. “These days, I feel more assertive about how I should achieve my life goals, and not care about whether other people understand me or not.”

She said being a Golden Girl is also about “choosing one’s battles, as well as learning not to sweat the small stuff. Life isn’t perfect. I just remind myself that it’s all a matter of perspective; that there’s always something to be grateful for.”

Among the things that Cherry Pie said she was thankful for was being a cast member of the drama series “Walang Hanggang Paalam,” which also features her good friend Angelica Panganiban in the lead role.

Cherry Pie plays Amelia, sister of Anton (Zanjoe Marudo), who is the fiance of Angelica’s character Celine. Along with Celine’s ex-beau, Emman (Paulo Avelino), they will attempt to rescue Celine’s son who has been kidnapped.

As a thoracic surgeon being groomed to head their family-owned hospital, Amelia is intelligent and strong-willed.

“Yes, I’m loving my character,” Cherry Pie said. “I haven’t played a complex/not-the-good-one role in a while, so this is a welcome challenge. I’m just sad that I’m doing this in the midst of a pandemic because more could have been explored. But I’m not complaining. I’m just grateful that we’re well taken care of by our company.”

Asked if she has friends whose personality matches Amelia and if she ever used them as character “pegs,” Cherry Pie replied: “Maybe not like Amelia, because this woman always has a hidden agenda. Although I’m blessed to have true friends who, like Amelia, can be totally honest with me. They do this with the best intentions.”

The cast of “Walang Hanggang Paalam,” which started streaming on Kapamilya Online Live on Sept. 28, has been taping even before the government issued a lockdown. They returned to their lock-in set in Subic, Zambales, recently to resume work.

“We’re grateful to be handled by ABS-CBN, particularly Dreamscape Entertainment. They took a risk on us at a time when they are experiencing a difficult situation,” said Cherry Pie.

“It’s hard to work in a lock-in set. To experience moments of connection with the other cast or staff members takes away all the anxiety we’re feeling. This pandemic has changed us all,” Cherry Pie pointed out. “We’ve all become kinder and more appreciative of what we have. I just hope we don’t forget what we’ve learned when our battle with the virus is finally over.”