Bong Revilla Jr. and Beauty Gonzalez
Since soap operas and heavy dramas comprise most of her filmography, Beauty Gonzalez finds playing a comedic role in a sitcom a breath of fresh air—an opportunity that has helped her discover different “capabilities and sides” to her as an actress.
“It’s a new experience for me. I’m used to doing dramas, crying all the time. But now, I get to try comedy and a bit of action,” she told the Inquirer at a recent press conference for the second season of the GMA 7 sitcom “Walang Matigas na Pulis sa Matinik na Misis.”
After 12 episodes, Beauty can say that while she has grown more comfortable with the genre, she still has a long way to go.
“It’s still new to me. But I’m happy I get to do this. They tease me before we start rolling because ’di pa ako ganun kagaling. And I can be clumsy… But I try my best.”
Weight on her shoulders
Thankfully, she’s surrounded by more experienced comedic actors who are always there to help her. “I already feel at home, because everyone’s just laughing, having fun on the set. Comedy is such a joy to do,” said Beauty, who plays a villain in the afternoon soap, “Stolen Life.”
“In comedy, you have to think fast, be spontaneous. You need to have high energy and maintain it,” she observed. “I wish I could do more projects like this. I like that the fun we have on set and how supportive we are of each other—it translates on the screen.”
In “Walang Matigas,” which airs Sunday evenings, Beauty plays the feisty and devoted wife Gloria—the only person who can make her hardy and mischievous police officer husband Tolome (Sen. Bong Revilla Jr.) cower in fear. “At first, I was a bit awkward, thinking, ‘Paano kaya ’to, my costar is a senator.’ But I wanted to prove that I can do the role.”
READ: Why Beauty Gonzalez wants to leave show biz after 6 years
The fact that her role was originally played by Bong’s real-life wife, Cavite Rep. Lani Mercado, in the 1994 movie of the same title, did add a bit of weight on Beauty’s shoulders. “I haven’t talked to Ms Lani specifically about the role, but we already met and did a scene together in the first season,” she said.
“I was glad to know she was happy about me playing the role. The original film was a blockbuster so I want to give the role justice and make the most of this opportunity.”
To add her own twist to the role, Beauty, who hails from Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, let her Cebuano accent flow freely. “I wanted to make the role a bit different, put my own flavor to it. I’m a proud Bisaya so, as a viewer, I would also like to see someone speaking the language on national television,” she said.
Bigger stunts
For the new season, viewers can expect bigger stunts, car chases and other action setpieces, Bong said.
“The comedy is a riot. The car chase scenes we did here are some of the best on television, I think… and some of the nicest I have done. In every project I do, whether on television or film, I give my best because I don’t want to shortchange people. Sure, the show’s on free TV, but we still want it to be worth people’s time,” Bong told the Inquirer.
Action is right in Bong’s wheelhouse. But still, mishaps and accidents can happen on the set especially since he insists on doing his own stunts. “I got hit in the eye. I got a foot injury, which needs therapy. But these things can’t really be avoided. The stunts add a lot to the show,” he said. “I’m just happy I still get to do projects like this and work with newer actors.”
And with proper “time management,” Bong said he doesn’t let show biz interfere with his work at the Senate. “I was never absent; I have perfect attendance. I get to do my work at the Senate. You can check what I have accomplished,” Bong said. “If you manage your time well, you can do everything you have to do.”
Bong and Beauty said that while the “kumander” wife and “under-the-saya” husband dynamic is a tried-and-tested trope in comedy, it’s not as funny in real life. A marriage, they said, should always be “give and take.”
“The under-the-saya bit is just for fun. But it’s not good if your husband is actually like that. The relationship should be even and involve give and take,” said Bong, who has been married to Lani for 37 years now. “We’re a perfect match and solid as a rock.”
Beauty, on the other hand, is lucky to have her husband, art curator Norman Crisologo, at the right time.
“I had him at a time in his life when he was already patient and full of wisdom. He really supports me. So thank God, everything has been smooth sailing,” she said. “Marriage takes a lot of work and luck,” she added. “And wala dapat mas mataas. You should always listen to each other.”