Dimples Romana on shift from acting to news reporting: I feel inadequate

Dimples Romana

I felt like a fish out of water,” said dramatic actress Dimples Romana to describe how she first felt after joining the news program “Gud Morning Kapatid (GMK)” as one of its hosts.

“The guys I work with have been doing this for quite a while. They were already solid as a group,” Dimples told Inquirer Entertainment recently. “I didn’t get starstruck until I realized that it’s a show produced by the news department. I thought that, while I have so many prayers in my heart—like a big teleserye or a new variety show—He has given me a gift that may not appear to me as a gift right away. When I arrived, there was such a warm welcome.”

Even though she is naturally outgoing, Dimples admitted to feeling shy and awkward in the beginning. “First of all, I came from ABS-CBN. I would never assume that how we are in the Kapamilya network is the same in TV5. They were very kind to me, but they were strict, as well. We would get called out because we have to be conscious of how we carry ourselves. The way we sit down is different. We can’t just look casual. We have to sit up straight,” the actress pointed out.

‘Empower more women’

She then recalled personally meeting TV5 news chief Luchi Cruz-Valdez prior to signing up for the show. “When I learned that she wanted to see me, I thought, ‘My God! Bakit po? Did I do something wrong? Why am I being sent to the principal’s office?’ She said, ‘We’re trying to get you on the show. Gretchen (Ho, former cohost) will have to do other things, move forward to doing more journalism. We want to empower more women like yourself. We think you can do that for us.’”

Dimples thought she had big shoes to fill, especially because “Gretchen is very respected in her line of work. What can I offer that is different but will also be at par? I observed everyone at work first and tried to see how I would fit in. I thought, ‘If I were to watch a morning show, what would I like to see?’ That’s what the process was like for me.”

Admittedly, there were times when Dimples would feel inadequate. After all, acting is very much different from news reporting. “I like [feeling inadequate] because then I push myself more. To be honest, I learn new things from the show everyday. There are five of us in the show with different things to contribute. We have ‘Legal Ba ‘To?’ and ‘Sabi ni Doc,’ while I cater to working moms and housewives. I feature homes and working moms, as well.

READ: Why Dimples Romana stopped dreaming of becoming a doctor

“I stay within my lane, but every now and then, if I know something about a particular topic, I also contribute to our banter,” she told Inquirer Entertainment.

Dimples said she has since enjoyed the routine of working in the morning and spending time with her family later in the day. She also said committing to a teleserye would be a major adjustment, but it’s nothing that can’t be managed. “My bosses know this. They agreed to me doing GMK. It’s a welcome challenge. At least when I do another teleserye, I can add a new flavor to it because doing news every day also has a different feel.”

‘Not the right time yet’

She continued: “I’m a big believer of timing. When ‘Kadenang Ginto’ happened, it was an offer that I almost said ‘no’ to because I had just finished ‘Bagani.’ At the time, I had already paid most of my debts, so I told Kuya Allan (Real, her handler), ‘Pwede nang magpahinga.’ We spoke on a Friday and on Saturday, he said there was an offer. It was tough because it was a kontrabida role. These days, if a plan doesn’t materialize, I don’t take it too personally. It just means it’s not the right time yet.”

Dimples Romana–DIMPLES ROMANA/ INSTAGRAM

Dimples turns 40 this year and the mom of three said her wish is to have a more stable income. “I hope that all the things I’m doing now—my apparel collab, my skin care and other businesses—would already be well laid out when I reach 40. That all of them have turned into passive income, so that I don’t have to spend too much time tending to them,” she added.

Dimples also hopes to send her daughter Callie to flying school with no interruptions. “She is already pushing for a commercial license. That’s really expensive. It’s like me buying all her flights on my own. My prayer is for God to give me enough work so that we will be able to push through with her college. Imagine that she is not the only expense I have. I have two other boys, and they’re not the only ones who depend on me for support,” she declared. INQ