Kathryn Bernardo wants to empower women in ‘A Very Good Girl’
Kathryn Bernardo. Image: Instagram/@kimiyap
The spark in Kathryn Bernardo’s eyes was undeniable after revealing during the press conference for her upcoming film “A Very Good Girl” that she always wanted to do a project that revolves around women empowerment.
“I really want to do something na involved ang mga kababaihan dahil ‘yun ang kailangan natin i-tackle sa nangyayari sa mundo ngayon. Nakakatuwa, especially the young ones [and] Gen-Zs, sila ‘yung nagiging representation na ito kami ngayon,” she said, in response to INQUIRER.net’s question about being part of a female-led film that’s made for women.
(I really want to do something where women are involved because it is something that needs to be discussed in our world right now. It makes me happy, knowing that the young ones and the Gen-Zs are the representation of what women are like today.)
Prior to this project, Bernardo has taken a number of roles representing different females navigating the world. She was a spunky overseas Filipino worker in “Hello, Love, Goodbye,” a half human-half vampire hybrid in “La Luna Sangre,” a passionate sister determined to help her family in “Magkaribal,” and an aspiring doctor in “2 Good 2 Be True,” to name a few.
“When I’m alone, I wanted to do something na may kinalaman sa mga kababaihan. I want to inspire my fellow women. I want to empower them. And I want [the] women to see sino ‘yung character na kakapitan niyo after watching (I want the women to see which character they can relate to after watching),” she said. “It makes me happy because when this was pitched to me, the story and character of Philo is very strong and empowered. I wanted to give justice to that character and it’s one of the things I want viewers to realize.”
The actress also paid homage to her fellow actresses in the cast, saying she’s happy to be surrounded by women. Also joining Bernardo are Golden Globe nominee Dolly de Leon, as well as Chie Filomeno, Angel Aquino, Kaori Oinuma, Gillian Vicencio, Ana Abad Santos, Nour Hooshmand, Althea Ruedas, Nathania Guerrero, and Donna Cariaga.
Jake Ejercito, who jokingly described himself as “just Ken” during the mediacon — an apparent reference to the box office hit “Barbie” — is the only male actor in the lead cast.
“Nakakatuwa rin kasi puro babae kami [sa mga] cast. And you’ll just see gaano katapang at gaano kalakas ang mga kababaihan (It makes me happy that our cast is full of women. And you’ll see how strong women are). Every woman, we have our own battle. Nasa atin lang ‘yun kung paano natin haharapin (It’s up to us how can we face them),” she said.
Meanwhile, she also revealed that she talked to her real-life boyfriend, singer-actor Daniel Padilla, before “saying yes” to the project.
“Sinabi ko, ‘Love, is it okay if I do something alone muna? Promise, wala akong love team. Wala akong ka-partner. Wala muna, pero gustong gumawa [ng ibang proyekto].’ Then siya rin, he’s going to be doing a project with Dan [Villegas] naman (I said, “Love, is it okay if I do something alone first? I can promise you that I don’t have a love team. I don’t have a partner. No one. I just want to do different projects). So it was a personal choice for the both of us that we wanted to do something alone,” she said.
‘Hindi ako perfect’
Touching on the film’s topic of revenge, Bernardo said while she “always fights for what is right,” she’s also the type of person who gets revenge “quietly.” “I would always fight for what is right, especially if someone else is involved and your dignity is being pushed down to the ground.”
“But as Kath, mas gusto kong nagre-revenge quietly (I want to get revenge quietly). I don’t fight. I don’t shout. I’m not confrontational. There are times that are like that, but I like to do it quietly. Sige, gawin mo ang lahat (do everything) to put me down but I will work quietly here and do my own thing. And bahala na kayo (Whatever),” she further added.
The actress also took the time at the press conference to remind her supporters that she’s “not perfect.” “Growing up, hanggang ngayon, aware ako na maraming nakatingin sa’yo (Until now, I’m aware that a lot of people have their eyes on you). You have to be good. You have to do this and that because kids would imitate what they see in you,” she began.
Bernardo then declared that she doesn’t want to be pressured into being “good” based on what society perceived to be “good”; she wants to be seen as a “good person” because of who she is.
“I want to be good because ito ‘yung pagkatao ko. And being good doesn’t mean that hindi na ako magsasalita and I’ll just follow lahat ng mga sinasabi ng lahat ng tao sa’kin. Kung tanggap ka ng tao bilang gan’un, thank you. Kung hindi, then okay lang. Ayaw kitang pilitin dahil ito ako,” she said.
(I want to be good because this is who I am. And being good doesn’t mean that I’m not going to speak up or I’ll just follow what people tell me to do. If people accept me for who I am, thank you. But if not, it’s okay. I don’t want to force anyone because this is who I am.)
“A Very Good Girl” revolves around two self-made women, Molly (Dolly de Leon) and Philo (Kathryn Bernardo), who navigate their lives trying “to do the right thing.” EDV
