Lovi Poe is on a roll

POE. Topbills the TV drama series, “Titser” and “Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas.”

Lovi Poe has always wanted to join show biz—but, unlike her legendary dad, movie king Fernando Poe Jr., what she initially wanted was to become a singer. Did her father encourage her to join the entertainment scene? Lovi sighs, “He didn’t. He kept stalling, maybe because I was very young then. He told me, ‘There’s a right time for everything.’ I was barely in my teens when I recorded my first album, ‘The Best of My Heart,’ and its followup, ‘Bloom.’”

These days, The 24-year-old actress misses singing, but her acting projects prevent her from indulging in her “first love.” Her Cinemalaya entry, “Sana Dati,” won big at the indie fest’s awards rites last month.

Poe is even busier on the small screen, where she shuttles between two telenovelas: She tapes her scenes for GMA News TV’s acclaimed Sunday-evening drama, “Titser” (at 7:15 p.m.), every Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, then shoots for her upcoming GMA 7 starrer, “Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas” (which replaces “Mundo Mo’y Akin” on Sept. 9), every Monday, Wednesday and Friday.

How different is “Titser” from her other acting gigs? Lovi shares, “Michelle is a high-school valedictorian from a barrio school who dreams of becoming a teacher, but whose only option after graduation is to work as a maid, is the most difficult character I’ve ever had to portray, because I’m used to roles that I can ‘play around’ with! This time, I play her straight.

“The series is unlike any drama I’ve appeared in—you learn from the inspiring and cautionary stories of its characters. I find it very technical—I can’t just memorize my lines and wing it! To be credible in the role, I have to understand what I teach—and Michelle teaches math, which happens to be my ‘favorite’ subject (laughs)!”

What adjustments does Lovi make when she shuttles between indies and mainstream films? She replies, “I don’t discriminate. I was first noticed in indies (she won Best Actress for Dan Villegas’ 2010 Cinemalaya entry, “Mayohan,” and Best Supporting Actress for the gripping incest-themed drama, “Sagrada Familia”), where there are no limitations in terms of interpretation. You’re free to explore—ang dami mong pwedeng gawin! In mainstream filmmaking, you’re expected to live up (or down) to viewers’ expectations!”

Affectionate glances

The rumor mill has been busy speculating about her relationships with Jake Cuenca and Rocco Nacino (her costar in “Akin Pa Rin Ang Bukas,” who threw affectionate glances her way during this interview). What’s the real score between her and the two actors?

The actress quickly answers, “Rocco and I are good buddies. As for Jake, I admit that he was special to me, but whatever we had wasn’t something you could call a ‘formal’ relationship. In any case, I’m not ready for another relationship. I’m sure it’ll come when I have more time for it!”