For someone who started romancing the kleig lights at the tender age of seven, LT has evolved into a screen persona of pulchritude and integrity. But to the first-rate actress, what is truly consequential is the genuine ability to move others, to matter and to make a difference in the lives of people around her.
"I guess being in this business almost all my life has taught me not only to love and value my work as an actress, but it has also given me a lot of opportunities to become a better person," she explains.
After years of just bumping into each other during organized press conferences and industry social events, I had the privilege of being up close and personal again with LT at her White Plains abode which has served as their family residence for almost 20 years now.
Over sinigang, and pineapple-sweetened adobo, we tried to catch up on each other’s lives, for it has been years since we’ve last spent time together. In the middle of our conversation, guess who’d walk in to say hello but Rudy Fernandez, LT’s one, great love who was on his way out for a haircut. The two still look as sweet as ever as they whispered into each others’ ears.
It’s been almost 20 years, too, since the couple fell in love and decided to start a family. In the Fernandez’s receiving room, there are paintings and framed family photos that blend so well with the Chinese elm wood furniture pieces. On one corner of the room sit the numerous acting trophies of both LT and Rudy, testaments of how far they have gone in their chosen craft.
But more than all the priceless trophies, LT says her greatest achievements are still – and will always be – her two children: Ralph (pronounced as Raif as in Ralph Fiennes), now 19 and pursuing a degree in Psychology; and Renz, 17, a junior high school student. Both boys are studying at the Ateneo.
"I am very lucky to have two sons who are both very level-headed and intrinsically nice," LT beams, her face still as lovely as when she initially swept husband Rudy off his feet when they first appeared together in the movie Leap Year Ngayon, Pipikutin Kita.
"Boyet (Christopher de Leon) was my leading man in that movie, and he (Rudy) was playing contravida. But I guess, after that project, Rudy never stopped looking at me," she breaks into laughter.
When I make LT single out her personal favorites among the many films she has done, she lets out a faint smile, as if she was suddenly forced to count the years. Topping her list is Narito ang Puso Ko, a Chito Roño film which gave her four Best Actress trophies.
LT will forever cherish her stints with Ishmael Bernal and Lino Brocka, the two late great directors of our generation who gave her career a big push by way of wonderful roles in Pinulot Ka Lang sa Lupa and Maging Akin Ka Lamang.
She also cites her roles in Diosa, Init sa Magdamag, Sinasamba Kita, Luksong Tinik and the current talk-of-the-town movie, Magnifico, as some of the better ones she has done.
"Regardless of how difficult shuttling between my taping for the soap opera and the location shoots for Magnifico was, it was all worth it when I saw the film in its entirety, " she relates, adding that she is praying hard that the movie will make money so as to inspire independent producer Violet Sevilla to continue investing in noteworthy projects that do not capitalize on the usual themes of sex and violence that have been prevalent for years now.
"I have really nothing against those types of movies, specially if these are tastefully done, but my point is, we can make other movies that will rise above what is common, usual, conventional and ordinary," she points out, adding, "who knows, the world might start to take notice."
LT is all praises for Jiro Manio, the young actor who plays her son in Magnifico. "He’s a gem – so natural, so effortless. Technically, siya ang lead, lahat kami support," she says.
To hear someone whose stature is as prominent as that of LT make such a statement is heartening, proving that she is a true artist and that she’s one who frowns on the prevailing star-system which she feels is a strong deterrent to the upliftment of the movie industry.
During our conversation, LT also lets out some of her disappointments on the way things are being run in this business. "Nakaka-lungkot na puro short-term lagi ang goals ng mga tao, parang bale wala ang relationships, mga pinagsamahan, respeto sa profession, sa artista." She’s realistic though, that in a sense, she knows that she cannot change the rotten system overnight, but she’s still hopeful that others will try to make a stand, too, when the occasion calls for them to do so.
Yes, it’s true that LT, together with Gina Alajar, Sandy Andolong and Anna Marin, will no longer appear in the much-awaited cast reunion for the sequel of Marilou Abaya’s Moral, since the whole ensemble has been replaced by Star Cinema in favor of their soap-opera actresses, much to the chagrin of Tolentino and company.
"It would have been a good reunion movie for all of us, but things do not always happen the way we want them to, pero ok lang," she intones.
In the meantime, LT continues to breathe life to her multi-faceted role in the daily soap opera Kay Tagal Kitang Hinintay, as her character evolves into different dimensions. It’s interesting to note that her very first film, as the young Susan Roces in ’60s movie Divina Gracia, saw the young Lorna also playing a dual role.
At 40, LT is as fit as fit can be. She sweats it out regularly at the badminton courts with her close circle of friends and constantly challenges herself to stay in shape by trying out diets recommended by people in the know, the most recent of which is a grueling seven-day cabbage soup diet which was shared to her by Ricky Davao.
"Oh yes, I am very particular about caring for my physical needs. I’m a working mom, and my job is almost always stressful and energy-draining kaya I owe it to myself to look after my body. The same way I look after my household. If there’s a problem, fix it immediately. If there’s a chance to improve on something, then act on it immediately," she explains.
She shares that balance is always the key. "When I feel like I’m on a rush, I try to slow down. When I can’t have enough sleep time because I have to work till the wee hours of morning, I take a nap. When I’m hungry, I eat. When I feel I’m getting fat, I cut down on food intake."
Lorna Tolentino is in a league all her own. She has such understated grace that can stir the senses, tug at the heartstrings, and melt a heart. Her elegance is affecting, her simplicity is endearing, her talent is uncompromising, her beauty is timeless.