The ‘third party’ in the Zoren-Carmina relationship

Scene from “The End of Us”

While some viewers see Carmina Villaroel and Zoren Legaspi’s relationship as ideal, the two actors—just like any other married couples—aren’t immune to petty bickerings here and there.

And in their case, these little squabbles usually happen when they’re working together on an acting project because Carmina and Zoren have contrasting creative processes.

“Mina is more organic and natural. On the other hand, I’m more technical and I need preparation time,” Zoren said in a recent video conference for “The End of Us,” the new installment of the drama anthology “Stories from the Heart.” The show marks the first time they top-billed a television series as a couple.

Zoren related that, on the set, the worrier in Carmina comes out and she can’t help but check on him when he’s taking his time to internalize his character.

“We sometimes bicker on set because she often worries about me. When the actors are called, Mina would text me immediately ‘Ikaw na lang hinihintay dito!’” he said, laughing. “And I would be like, ‘I’m not going anywhere. I’m ready—just brushing up on my script!’”

“She’s the kind of actor who can just happily chat with the director one minute and then cry the next minute. When the director says, ‘Actors in,’ pak, she’s in there. I’m not like that. I need five to 10 minutes, because I have to internalize, review my lines and be in my zone,” he added. “I need that few minutes so I can perform well and match her intensity.”

And so before they started taping for “The End of Us,” which airs weekday afternoons until Jan. 7, Zoren told Carmina to just allow him to prepare in a way that works for him, because “I want to present something new.”

Honest critic

And it worked. Carmina, whom Zoren described as one of his honest critics, said she was proud of her husband’s performance.

“He showed a different Zoren. And I’m not saying this as a wife, but as a coactor. He gave me a lot of emotions to work with so I was able to deliver. He gave 101 percent of his emotions, so I just reciprocated that,” she said.

Directed by Zig Dulay, “The End of Us” follows the rocky relationship of Maggie, a woman set on settling down and starting a family with her husband Jeff who still can’t let go of his bachelor lifestyle. And when Maggie catches Jeff having an affair with a younger woman, she is left with no choice but to seek an annulment.

Zoren and Carmina’s marriage isn’t without challenges and storms to weather. But luckily, a third party isn’t one of them. The closest thing to Zoren having a mistress, he joked, are his bicycles and motorcycles. “That’s the third party in our relationship,” he said.

Carminal Villaroel (left) and Zoren Legaspi

And it can be hard to compete with those, Carmina quipped. “Wala akong kalaban-laban sa mistress niya!” said Carmina, who admitted that her husband’s bike-riding hobby was something she has always found scary.

“Ayoko ng motor kasi delikado. It’s not because I don’t trust him. I’m more concerned about the other motorists. Yes, he’s very careful on the road. But what about those around him,” she pointed out.

Understanding

But of course, Carmina doesn’t want to take away one of her husband’s passions. “The best thing I can do is pray. I don’t want him to stop riding because it makes him happy,” she said. “I just try to be more understanding and respectful … I think these are key ingredients to a lasting relationship. Love and trust are a given, but prayers can also help make your bond stronger.”

And for that, Zoren couldn’t be more grateful. “I know that she easily gets nervous, and that me riding motorcycles is a mental torture for her. But I’m fortunate to have a wife who lets me pursue things I love,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Kapuso star turned emotional, after revealing that they almost didn’t accept the offer because Carmina’s father has an ongoing health issue. She didn’t think she would be emotionally ready for the series.

“It’s not every day we’re given a beautiful project. My father was in and out of the hospital, so I didn’t think I could do it. But our bosses gave us enough time to consider. We did a lot of reflecting until we just decided to go for it. I said let’s just pray, leave it all to God. And we’re thankful because He really guided us,” she said. INQ