Kakai is one tough mama

It has been a dizzying, dazzling past few weeks for Kakai Brosas, more famously known as the K in K With the Boxers.

This workaholic wacky woman is juggling at least three GMA 7 shows (and counting): the sitcom Idol Ko si Kap, the supernatural thriller Kakabakaba Adventures, and the new kwelanovela Marinara. On top of all this, she is also kept on her toes by her band’s nightly gigs all over the metropolis: Soundstage Cainta (Tuesday), Klownz Araneta Center (Wednesday), Ratsky’s Malate (Thursday), and Ratsky’s Tomas Morato (Friday).

The band is also working double-time, promoting their latest novelty hit Sasakyan Kita, under Viva Records. "We are so happy that it’s doing well," she beams. "It’s now No. 6 in the OPM countdown of MYX."

Ably supported by the Boxers, Daniel Lardizabal and Cris Samonte, K, as she is fondly called by pals, is as busy as the proverbial bee. "It’s really hard," she quips. "Lagare ako! I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in three days!" Don’t get her wrong, she’s not complaining. In fact, she’s having a ball.

"I know that it’s all worth it," she exclaims. As far as she is concerned all this is the fulfillment of a long-cherished dream to make it big in the biz.

Proof positive that she is well on her way is her "mermaid" role on Marinara, which headlines Rufa Mae Quinto, whom she looks up to as one of her comic icons.

"Rufa Mae’s humor is original," K explains. "It’s effortless. That’s also what I try to achieve on my own. Comedy that is natural, unscripted." Moreover, K has grown fond of Rufa Mae not just as a professional, but also as person.

"We’re really close, on-and off-screen," K affirms. "She’s a real friend." That’s one of the main reasons why she’s extremely pleased to share the screen with Rufa Mae on both Idol Ko si Kap and Marinara. In a lot of ways, Marinara is a dream project for K.

"It’s a dream-come-true for me," she says of playing a siren. "When I was a kid, I used to put a bed sheet on my head and pretend it was my long, flowing hair. Then I would take a dip in a huge wash basin and make believe I was a mermaid." As early as then, her quirky sense of humor (and imagination) was already going berserk. "My mom used to get so mad at me," she recounts. "I ruined a lot of basins because I was such a big girl then!"

Seems Kakai, or Maria Carmela Brosas in real life, is in a mood to stroll down memory lane these days. She even consented to have her colorful life story chronicled on the GMA 7 anthology, Magpakailanman, hosted by Mel Tiangco.

And Kakai’s true-life story can make even such bona fide drama queens like Lolita Rodriguez and Marlene Dauden green with envy. "I can’t ask for anything more for I am now a full-fledged dramatic actress," she cracks.

For a comedienne like Kakai, playing herself marks a departure of sorts. (Kakai’s star turn on Magpakailanman will be aired tomorrow night at 9:30 on GMA 7.)

On Magpakailanman, she will pit talents with such dramatic thespians as Pinky de Leon, Emilio Garcia, Alfred Vargas, Gabby Eigenmann, and Mon Confiado. Like Kakai, two comediennes will also turn dramatic on this special episode– Giselle Sanchez, who will play K’s best friend, and Beverly Salviejo, who will portray K’s real mother.

"It was difficult," K acknowledges. "Kumbaga, I had to go back to the painful chapters that I had buried so long ago. I had to refresh my memory just so that it would look realistic." As they say, reality bites. "And unlike other stars who edited out some parts of their stories that were not pleasant or flattering, I was willing to show everything," she remarks.

Warts and all, so to speak. "Even the moments that I now regret," she points out.

A love child (of an American and a Filipina) who was put up for adoption, Kakai had a troubled youth. "I was sutil then," she admits. "I justified my rebelliousness and blamed my being adopted." Her story, however, is far from over. In fact, her continuing struggles as a single parent are stuff Magpakailanman sequels are made of.

"I agreed to tell my story so that other women out there would be inspired," she chimes in. "That no matter what happens in life, you should remain focused on your goals. Don’t let your emotions your love life, stop you. You don’t need anyone else, you don’t need a man, in order to be successful and to feel complete. It will all start with you. Go for gold! Never give up!"

Kakai’s message of empowerment is very much evident in her life now as single working mom to six-year-old Crystal. In spite of her grueling skeds, she doesn’t quit so easily.

"No matter how hectic my schedule is, I make it a point to spend quality time with my daughter," she pipes in. "What I didn’t experience when I was growing up, I now give to her. I shower her with affection, with kisses, with ‘I love yous.’ She’ll always be my little baby even if she’s already 30 years old!"

She’s one tough, caring mama, K is.