Tanya Garcia on show-biz comeback project: It was double the nervousness, double the anxiety

Garcia (second from left) with family

Throughout her showbiz career, Tanya Garcia has had to take lengthy breaks to focus on raising her family. And while she does have her share of what-ifs, she harbors no regrets.

“Ever since, I have been called a reluctant actress because I’m naturally shy. I get nervous and I’m not as confident as the others. But when I had children and started a family, I felt like it’s where I’m supposed to be. I found fulfillment and my purpose,” she told the Inquirer in a recent virtual conference for the new GMA 7 drama series, “Babawiin Ko ang Lahat.”

Tanya is married to Mark Lapid with whom she has three daughters: Mischa, 13; Matilda, 10; and Madeleine, 5.

The 39-year-old actress rose to fame in the early 2000s, top-billing the Kapuso soap operas “Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga” and “Twin Hearts” with her then leading man Dingdong Dantes. In 2007, Tanya went on hiatus after getting pregnant with her first baby. Since then, she did mostly supporting or guest roles—both in GMA 7 and ABS-CBN—because family life is her priority.

Thus, “Babawiin,” which airs weeknights starting Jan. 22, is a comeback of sorts. It will be her first regular role in a long while, and her first with GMA 7 after six years.

“There were times when I told myself that I would be a full-time mother, that I wouldn’t act anymore. But still, the inquiries or offers to do guest appearances never went away,” related Tanya, who surmised that, like motherhood, show biz is still meant for her after all.

Tanya Garcia

Right support group

“Even if you try to step away or get yourself out show biz, if you’re meant for it, you will eventually find yourself in it no matter that,” she added.

Doing “Babawiin” reminded her of the joys of acting. “I realized just how much I truly missed this. Before this, I did short roles or guestings. But since accepting this project, I grew confident that I can still do it. Of course, it helps to have the right support group,” said Tanya, whose costars include John Estrada, Carmina Villarroel and young talents led by Pauline Mendoza.

Tanya doesn’t have an existing contract with any company at the moment. But now that her children are older, she said she will be open to working more often. “If there will be an offer, I will accept it, because I have been enjoying myself,” she said.

But because this is a major project—and shot in locked-in sessions at that—Tanya admitted that she did feel nervous going in.

“I’ve only just returned, so I’m also feeling my way around again. I was nervous because I have been away for so long and I had to do it locked-in,” said Tanya, who plays a mother, Christine, who will protect her daughter, Iris (Pauline), from her husband Victor’s (John) vindictive ex-flame Dulce (Carmina), who has links to a Yakuza boss.

“It was double the nervousness, double the anxiety, especially knowing that I would be away from my kids,” she said.

But mercifully, she jested, the household is still holding up despite her absence. “What I have realized is that I can be away from my family and return with everything still in place,” Tanya said, laughing. “Even if Mark is hands-on with the girls, I’m still the one in charge of running the household.”

“It’s difficult but whatever challenge you face, you can face it with the right people. I also pray for more patience and strength,” she added. “And I hope the viewers receive me warmly in this return.”