Stars excited, anxious about returning to work after lockdown

MERYLL Soriano

It’s too soon,” declared actress Meryll Soriano when asked about her thoughts on the possibility of the resumption of work should the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) be finally lifted after May 15.

“It’s exciting to return to work, but at the same time, it’s also a cause for worry because we have yet to flatten the curve and there’s still no vaccine (for the new coronavirus disease or Covid-19). I think we’ll be risking everybody,” Meryll said during the fourth session of the online panel discussion “Actor’s Cue” on Wednesday night.Actresses Sylvia Sanchez, Iza Calzado, Jodi Sta. Maria and Angeli Bayani also participated in the online live chat, which was part of the “#ExtendTheLove” initiative organized by TV and film director Adolfo Alix Jr.

Jodi said she agreed with Meryll and added that “if we resume working, what’s our assurance that it’s already safe to go back out there and that we will not get sick? Still, the best solution is to follow guidelines set by our health professionals and LGUs (local government units) in order to protect ourselves.”Angeli, meanwhile, confessed that she’s still too scared to go out of the house, more so to get back to work. “I’m a solo parent. I live with just my son, so I really need to make sure that safety measures are in place before I really plunge into it,” Angeli pointed out.

Jodi Sta. Maria

Sylvia also admitted to being too scared to even step out of her house these days. She is currently under medication for myocarditis, a complication arising from her being infected with Covid-19. She has since recovered from the illness.

“I heard that there will be changes in our work environment. From a crew of 200 people, the work force will be reduced to 70,” said Sylvia, adding that she already resumed taping for her drama series “Pamilya Ko” last Friday.

“I recorded some scenes here at home… I’m sure producers will figure out what to do because if any of us gets sick, they will be held responsible,” Sylvia said.

Iza said she had been out of the house only three times since she got back from the hospital. She, too, has successfully fought Covid-19. “Some people might say, Ate Sylvia and I should already start working since we’ve already developed antibodies, anyway” she began. “But really, it only takes one asymptomatic person to be on set to cause so much trouble. We’re scared to even think about that.”

Angeli Bayani

Iza has also began working; It’s for a film by Kip Oebanda. “This one is obviously not the normal setup. I’m very interested to see how we will execute the ‘new normal’ for productions. For an indie production, we usually have a minimum of 50 to 80 people on the set,” she pointed out. “How will you adjust to something you don’t know what the realities will be like yet?”

Jodi echoed Iza’s concerns. “As bad as it may sound, now is actually a good time for the industry to be more creative, to explore and experiment, and be innovative with a lot of things,” Jodi declared. “As artists, there’s a need for us to entertain people. We just have to be creative in finding ways on how to do that.”

Iza Calzado

Meryll said she was interested in discovering what the “new normal” would be like. “As film makers, we want to express what’s currently happening to the world—that’s the reason we make films,” the actress said. “I’m curious about what directors, writers and actors have to say about this pandemic. Can you imagine the kind of movies we would get to see then? Everybody will be able to relate to them, for sure.”The “#ExtendTheLove” initiative aims to raise funds for Filipino film workers displaced by the lockdown ordered by the government to help stop the spread of Covid-19. INQ