Pinky’s winning streak

Pinky Amador has got a good thing going. She looks fit and fab, has a busy career, and is a well-known and respected theater actress who has successfully crossed over to the entertainment mainstream. She first entered our collective consciousness via the Repertory Philippines stage, and as one of the world-class Filipinno artists who opened doors by being part of the original cast of Miss Saigon.

But has it really been that easy making the transition from ‘serious’ stage thespian to a more masa-oriented actress? "I can’t seem to shake off that stima," Pinky confesses. "Don’t get me wrong. I appreciate that people have a high regard for me as a ‘quality’ actress. But that doesn’t mean I can’t perform for the masa. I mean, I can’t think of any actress more baduy than I am! I do stage, I do screen, and many other ‘artista’ things."

Pinky has not only crossed-over, but straddles different media in two different locales: the Philippines and the UK. And why not? Most budding thespians can do much worse than be taken under the wing of Rep genius Zeneida Amador. Pinky acknowledges that her late aunt honed her talents well. "I’m the luckiest person on earth to have her as mentor," she exclaims. In Repertory, she had to play a different character for each of the 40 plays she’s done so far. "I left for London in 1987 on a study grant. People asked why I left when I had a thriving career here. The answer is: I left because I wanted to learn more and to get more experience," she adds. It was while in London in 1989 that she auditioned for, and won the role in that Cameron Mackintosh production that eventually took the West End by storm.

Being the well-rounded artist that she is, Pinky has covered a lot of showbiz ground. She completed a five-year run of the weekly soap, Anna Karenina. She starred in the ABS-CBN weeknight soap, Mangarap Ka where she played kontrabida to Piolo Pascual. She also just finished playing opposite Michael Williams and Miguel Faustmann in Oh Romeo, where she played three roles. "I’m so happy with the reviews!," she gushes. "Imagine, there were only six roles, and I played the 43-year-old Juliet, her 14-year-old daughter, and a 100-year-old nurse. It was hilarious!"

Pinky also performs in corporate shows and events, which she also hosts. "I love hosting because I can be myself. I can be really witty," she quips. In fact, she has hosted several TV shows in the past. The trick to hosting, she says, is "listening, with a quick mind and a good tongue to match." Last year, she did a short stint for a show on BBC in the UK.

Pinky also performs in corporate shows and events, which she also hosts. "I love hosting because I can be myself. I can be really witty," she quips. In fact, she has hosted several TV shows in the past. The truck to hosting, she says, is "listening, with a quick mind and a good tongue to match." Last year, she did a short stint for a show on BBC in the UK.

Pinky has also hosted and directed a documentary. "I love the language of film. I love making movies and doing TV," she says. Her movies of late have been varied: Singles, with stars Ara Mina, Aubrey Miles, Jay Manalo and Angel Locsin; the Gil Portes-megged A Beautiful Life; Regal Films’ Forever My Love, where she played Oyo Boy Sotto’s mom; and the soon-to-be-release D’Anaders, where she co-stars with Vhong Navarro, and Happily Ever After, which forms part of a trilogy directed by Maryo J. delos Reyes. She will soon be seen as the wicked mom of Mark Herras and contravida to his girlfriend Jennylyn Mercado in GMA-7’s new fantasy series, Encantadia, which also stars Iza Calzado, Nancy Castiglione, Karylle, Sunshine Dizon, Diana Zubiri and Pen Medina.

A real trouper, Pinky hasno qualms about picking roles. "If you’re really an artist, you will do whatever it takes to get your craft across. There’s no such thing as a small part – only a small actor. The small actor is the one who sees the part as small," she declares emphatically. No matter what the medium is, you still have to give it your best."

Asked about the secret to her youthful glow, all Pinky would divulge is: "I’m not married and I don’t have kids. I work out, take care of my skin, and try to eat well." The hyperactive actress says she’s very driven and dedicated to her craft because, "I’ve worked all my life, so I don’t know what‘s like to not work."

Already an established name in the industry, Pinky prides herself in the professionalism she practices in her work. "In this business," she stresses, "you have to do a little of everything. Longevity is the name of the game. Her ultimate goal? "To land a role at the prestigious Royal National Theatre in England, and it will happen soon," she says with utmost conviction.

Pinky is also currently Executive Director for Publicity and Promotions for Repertory Philippines, where her goal is to elevate awareness and renewed interest in the flagship theater company. Coming back full circle to her first love, the staunch theater advocate says, "Rep is not a hard product to sell, but the public has to be constantly reminded that we’re here and always have been for the last 38 years."