Coney Reyes at the “Shining Inheritance” media conference on Friday, Aug. 30, 2024 | Image: INQUIRER.net/Jessica Ann Evangelista
At 71 years old, veteran actress Coney Reyes feels utterly blessed and grateful to have reached 50 years in the entertainment industry. As she takes on a new starring role in the upcoming drama series “Shining Inheritance,” the actress hopes to shed light in discussions pertaining to people with Alzheimer’s disease and as to how the elderly should be taken care of and loved.
During the “Shining Inheritance” press conference on Friday, Aug. 30, Reyes underscored that what she considers her “shining moment” is that she is still able to do what she loves doing, which is acting, after all these years.
“Ang pinaka shining moment ko siguro na hanggang ngayon nandito pa rin ako (My most shining moment is probably that I’m still here). Naiiyak ako (I feel like crying). Alam niyo naman iyakin ako (you know I’m a crybaby) ever since. For those who are familiar with what I do, what I’ve done. I’m just so blessed. I feel so grateful that God has allowed me to use what He has given me, the talent He has given me until now that I’m 71 years old,” she expressed.
The seasoned actress will be playing the role of Aurea De La Costa, a grandmother with Alzheimer’s disease who is often neglected by her grandchildren and other family members.
“Kasi diba minsan ‘yung mga matatanda binabalewala ng mga tao sa paligid nila so parang sa puso ko rin kailangan makita nila, kailangan pinapahalagahan ang mga taong ‘to, inaalagaan, minamahal, lahat naman tayo tatanda diba,” she said.
(Because sometimes the elderly are ignored by the people around them, so it seems to me that they need to realize that these people need to be appreciated, taken care of and loved. We will all grow old, right?)
“We hope to be able to make people understand kung paano ba alagaan ang mga may (how to take care of those with) Alzheimer,” added the actress.
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Despite her longevity in show biz, the “Return of the Dragon” actress declared that she still enjoys what she does and still has aspirations for what she wants to do next.
“50 years ko nang ginagawa ito pero enjoy na enjoy pa rin ako (I’ve been doing this for 50 years but I still enjoy it so much), but of course I have to pace myself,” she said.
“Magpaparinig na naman ako sana pangarap ko balang araw magkaroon ako ng sitcom o kaya dramedy kasi kita naman ninyo marunong naman ako magpatawa. Akala niyo lang kasi puro drama drama. Iyak dito, iyak dyan. Medyo sawa na ako kakaiyak,” she stated, adding that she remains grateful to GMA for giving her projects.
(I’m going to reiterate this again. I hope that one day I’ll have a sitcom or a dramedy because you know that I know how to make people laugh also. You think it’s just drama — cry here, cry there. I’m a bit tired of crying.)
Reyes made her first film appearance in “The Return of the Dragon” in 1974. Shen then made her maiden TV appearance on “Student Canteen,” a Philippine noontime variety show on GMA-7.
In 1977, the actress got her own television series to host, titled “Coney Reyes-Mumar Studio.” Reyes also joined the “Eat… Bulaga!” family in 1982.
Reyes is known for her roles in family-oriented television dramas “100 Days to Heaven,” “Nathaniel” and “My Dear Heart,” and the movie “Four Sisters and a Wedding,” among others.
“Shining Inheritance” is the Philippine adaptation of the Korean drama “Brilliant Legacy” (2009), and is set to premiere on GMA Afternoon Prime Time on Sept. 9.