Gladys Reyes recalls how she got into acting and became a ‘primera kontrabida’

Gladys Reyes won best actress

Award-winning actress Gladys Reyes has made a mark in the Philippine movie and television industry by being known as one of the most effective kontrabidas (villains).

Speaking on the “Updated with Nelson Canlas” podcast, Reyes recalled how her acting career began and what it feels like to be a “primera kontrabida” (first-rate villain) in the industry.

“That was 1984; we were the first batch of little Miss Philippines in ‘Eat Bulaga.’ I’ll say siguro doon talaga nag start lahat kasi from there nakita ako ni ‘Tita’ Mina noon ng Viva Films and then pinatawag ako for an audition for Ate V’s (Vilma Santos) movie parang first screen appearance ko yung Baby Tsina,” narrated Reyes.

The actress noted that having the chance to act alongside veteran actors played a vital role in her becoming an effective actor.

“Yung first full-length role ko with ‘Ate’ V naman ulit, eto naman yung ‘Muling Buksan ang Puso.’ I was also able to work with Mister Dindo Fernando. I was so blessed to work with them at a very young age. I was only six or seven years old at that time. My first acting workshop ko, can you believe it was with Direk Marilou Diaz Abaya?” said the actress.

Gladys Reyes (left) and Maricel Soriano in “Minsan Lamang Magmamahal.” Image: Instagram/@iamgladysreyes

On being a primera kontrabida

Canlas then asked Reyes how she handles being in public places given that she has a reputation for being a kontrabida, which evidently always shows in her public appearances.

“Nag-eeffort na mag smile at mag acknowledge sa kanila alam ko may ganiyan akong awareness. Kaya whenever I go out of the house, lagi akong may ready, just so they know na they can approach me anytime kung gusto nila magpalitrato kung meron siyang gustong itanong gusto kausapin,” explained the actress.

On the other hand, Reyes noted that it doesn’t matter if other people see her the way they want based on her kontrabida roles; it just means that she does her job effectively.

“Kumbaga yung sakin naman ineenjoy ko lang masyado ‘yung pag portray ng kontrabida roles, para sa akin palakpak ‘yon, applause sakin ‘yung mas galit sila sa akin mas okay kasi it only proves na baka epektibo ako sa kanila,” said the actress.

Reyes had her big break in the 1990s soap opera “Mara Clara.” In 2011, she was also appointed as a board member of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board.