Pops as villainess: 'Okay lang if they hate me'

MANILA, Philippines - It’s been almost six years since Pops Fernandez played her last dramatic role on GMA 7’s primetime drama series, Twin Hearts, which starred Karylle and Dennis Trillo.

She’s back onscreen on ABS-CBN’s I Love Betty La Fea, where she plays the role of Paulina dela Serna — the businesswoman/resort owner aunt of Aldo (Jericho Rosales) who makes life miserable for Betty (Bea Alonzo).

So, why has she put her acting career on hold for so long?

“Most of my fans know that my sons Ram and Robin take first priority in my life and with the typical taping schedules for a drama series, it’s hard to find quality time for everything else,” she admits. “And of course, my singing engagements and shows abroad also take up a large chunk of my yearly schedule. If I could only add more hours to my day, I’d love to be able to put in more time to TV work and maybe even movies too. Especially, if the role is really worth it.”

“Thankfully, I’m able to do all that now with Betty La Fea. My role is a lot more challenging. It’s not your typical pa-sweet or pa-martyr role that’s one dimensional. It’s demanding in the sense that there’s that hint of deception and cunning underneath Paulina’s sweet exterior.”

Judging from the audience’s reaction, it looks like a lot of televiewers are beginning to hate Paulina, never mind if her character just came out early this year.

Doesn’t Pops worry about televiewers who might not be able to distinguish fact from fiction?

“It’s just a role!,” she quickly retorts. “I think it’s a trademark of all the great character actresses I truly admire, like Cherie Gil, that their fans actually believe they’re the characters they play in real life. I’m not about to say that I’m at that level already, because I still have a lot to learn. But if I’m starting to get that same reaction now, then maybe I’m doing something right.”