Tracy tries comedy

Having made a mark as member of main antagonist Tessie Tomas's dysfunctional family in ABS-CBN's acclaimed mini-series Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako, Tracy Vergel thought she would be confined to kontrabida roles. More so as her mean streak extended to film via Mahal na Kung Mahal and Type Kita, Walang Kokontra, after a slew of TV assignments exploring her devilish side.

Enter Viva Films' Mana-Mana, Tiba-Tiba, where Tracy gets a taste -- her first -- of comedy. As the blind daughter of a deceased millionaire, Tracy gets to clown around with the film's topbillers Andrew E -- he's making a big-screen comeback after three years -- and Bayani Agbayani in his first starring role.

Mana-Mana, Tiba-Tiba, as the title suggests, talks of a hefty sum in inheritance money granted by some streak of luck to Andrew and Bayani by Tracy's deceased father (played by Leo Martinez). The old man (who was mean in his life time), having no close relative or real friend to speak of, stated in his will that the first two individuals who would come to his wake would get the inheritance sum. But God knows what adventures and misadventures our bumbling duo had to go through to get hold of the fortune -- and love partners to boot: Tracy for Bayani and Rufa Mae Quinto for Andrew! Here lies the comedy and director Al Tantay (he co-wrote the script with Agnes de Guzman) vows they pour in by the minute.

Tracy simply had fun on the set. In fact, after Mana-Mana, Tiba-Tiba, she's looking forward to doing more comedy pictures. "We were laughing all the time on the set," Tracy enthuses. Pinaglaruan nilang lahat 'yung pagiging bulag ko. The script was not followed, the humor was spontaneous."

Mana-Mana, Tiba-Tiba, according to Tracy, has taught her a valuable lesson in comedy. "In comedy, what counts most is timing. Kung wala sa timing (ang sasabihin o gagawain mo), 'wag ka na lang hihirit."

Tracy reveals comedy better suits her real-life persona. "I'm the life-giver at home," she reveals. "I'm the one who makes my mom (actress and ABS-CBN Director of Communication and Training Arts Beverly Vergel) laugh. Kinukulit-kulit, nilalambing-lambing, iniinis-inis ko siya para tumawa."

While in the thick of filming Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako, Tracy harbored apprehensions of being typecast in character roles. "I don't want fans to throw stones at me or curse me the way they do to Gladys Reyes or Princess Punzalan because I did their idol wrong. But I realized playing kontrabida brings out the best in your emotions at iba't ibang atake sa character ang puwede mong gawin. Cherie Gil is my idol in this department," says Tracy.

"And the best part of it is you get the license to slap and hit everybody, especially if you're angry at someone," Tracy says in jest.

"But I'd like to try everything, including action. In fact, I'd like to star in an action movie with my uncle (Ace Vergel). I'd like to be a versatile actress."

Does she sound determined to make a go of her acting career! Eight years ago at 13, Tracy would not hear of acting. She resented seeing her actress-mother doing the French kiss, playing sexy and displaying her cleavage to the full on screen. "I cried. I asked myself, why did she have to do those things?"

But joining Talent Center's Star Circle Batch 7 and eventually getting the plum role in Sa Sandaling Kailangan Mo Ako changed Tracy's prudish attitude towards acting. With good roles coming her way, she's beginning to enjoy her chosen profession. Besides, she can't get away from acting. It runs in the family. It's in her blood. Mana-mana lang 'yan!