Iwa loves playing contravida

MANILA, Philippines - Don’t be surprised if 21-year-old Iwa Moto smiles with relish when strangers say to her face: “I hate you.”

For Iwa, such sentiments are compliments, especially now that GMA 7’s Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita? is halfway through its run. She plays Rossan Montenegro who is out to give people hell.

“When people say such things to me — and many do — what I actually hear is ‘You’re doing a great job,’” she says.

It’s not the first time Iwa has played an antagonist. Many of her projects in the past, including Darna, Magdusa Ka, Kung Mahawi Man Ang Ulap and Luna Mystika, cast her in roles that people love to hate.

“Many actresses aspire to become leading ladies, but I don’t mind playing contravida roles forever.”

“Admit it, many contravidas have longer careers because almost every story has one or two. Besides, they make life more interesting for his or her victims. In a way, the bida should thank the contravida for saving them from a life of total boredom,” she jokes.

It doesn’t come easy for Iwa though, because her real-life persona is totally different. Outside the glare of the spotlight, Iwa is a sweet girl who even enjoys watching cartoons at her age. Her fantasy? To play the role of a princess, notwithstanding if the character has a mean bone. “Sleeping Beauty pa nga, eh. Don’t laugh,” she says.

Iwa is effective in her portrayals because she carefully studies the script and her scenes. Doing so gives her an understanding of where her character is coming from — no matter how twisted that place is.

“It’s a job, so you have to prepare for it and give your best,” she quips. Iwa reveals that she counts Jean Garcia and Princess Punzalan as her favorite contravidas.

Iwa says there are several types of contravida. Her favorite is the scheming type; the one who looks harmless, acts harmless when you’re around, but stabs you at the back unapologetically.

“Pero si Rossan Montenegro ‘yung other type. Siya yung tipong manunugod at kokomprontahin ka. Hindi siya masaya kaya gusto niya, hindi din masaya yung mga tao ang nakapaligid sa kanya,” she explains.

“Unhappy”, of course, is an adjective that can’t be used in describing Iwa. Aside from having an active career in the entertainment industry, the First Princess of StarStruck: the Nationwide Invasion also has a supportive non-showbiz boyfriend of two years.