Why Pauleen doesn't feel bitter these days

MANILA, Philippines - It’s not her first time to play mean in a soap opera. In fact, Pauleen Luna minced no words and calculated all her actions to make Jennylyn Mercado’s life on GMA 7’s Ikaw Sana miserable.

But playing Jillian Ward’s stepmother in Sine Novela Presents Mars Ravelo’s Trudis Liit premiering tomorrow, June 21 on Kapuso network’s Dramarama sa Hapon worries the actress-host.

“I’m afraid that kids won’t like me,” says Pauleen. “It’s fine having a fight with actresses my age like Maxene Magalona but never with a child. I think the treatment will be like Walt Disney. So hopefully my character is not that black or bad unlike with Ikaw Sana.”

Pauleen reminds kids and parents that she is simply an actor playing a part. “It’s just a role,” adds she.

In Trudis Liit, Pauleen is Honey and married well-off Nick played by Cris Villanueva. Like Cinderella’s stepmom, she is after Nick’s money. Honey uses beauty to win a man’s heart and his fortune.

What gets her is when Pauleen’s character learns that Nick has a child named Trudis. Thus, Trudis is the perfect target of Honey’s sweet revenge.

Honey is the total opposite to Pauleen’s signature character Baby Pauling in Eat, Bulaga! She is innocent, lovable and sometimes naughty little girl.

“Good thing that I have Eat, Bulaga!,” says Pauleen. “It’s a breaker for everyone to see the real me. I love kids. I have a big heart for them. I haven’t met a kid who doesn’t adore me and I haven’t met one I never like. When Julia Clarete’s (son) is on the set, I look after him.”

Off cam, Pauleen has pamangkins whom she pampers. When she returns from a trip abroad, Pauleen always brings them presents which occupy much of her luggage. “My pocket money goes for the pasalubong,” says she.

Pauleen is happy she’s part of a Cinemalaya entry Sigwa which means first quarter storm set in the ‘70s. This is the actress’ first politically themed movie.

“It’s about young activism,” shares Pauleen. “There are rallies. And I’m deglamorized here. I play the young Zsa Zsa Padilla character named Cita. I’m a student activist and a leader of an organization.”

Pauleen is in good company, with Dawn Zulueta, Zsa Zsa, Tirso Cruz III, Marvin Agustin and Allen Dizon as part of the cast as well.

“I want to do more,” says she of accepting Sigwa. “(It feels good when) you know you’re doing something good. No money talk.”

How does she prepare for the Joel Lamangan film?

“I talked to my activist friends,” replies Pauleen. “I watched Dekada 70 and Sister Stella L. (Am I opinionated like the character I will be playing?) I think I am. I’m transparent. I speak my mind. That’s why people misunderstand me sometimes.”

Asked how lucky Pauleen is, since she is seen weekdays during lunchtime in Eat Bulaga! and in the afternoon via Trudis Liit, she answers, “Yes. I always have something to do. I’m very contented.”

Pauleen has no reason to feel bitter at all.