Dawn now a verb

Dawn Zulueta–Lagdameo has become a verb — I-Dawn Zulueta Mo Ako. It’s one of the funny things that the actress — who made a big comeback in the hit teleserye Walang Hanggan — looks forward to as 2013 gets off to a good start for her.

“Incredible!” laughs Dawn. The whole thing came about after a guesting with Richard Gomez in Gandang Gabi Vice where Richard swept her up in his arms and twirled her around. Before they knew it, almost everyone was mouthing the line, thanks to Vice Ganda. “Only Vice Ganda has such influence to coin that blurb so effectively. Because just like that, my name has now become a verb. I just love him!” says Dawn.

This year is turning out to be extra-special for Dawn, who is starring in Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin, in the role originally meant for Maricel Soriano. By now everyone knows what happened and both ABS-CBN and Star Magic have issued separate statements on the issue. Dawn has said her piece as well. She and I thoroughly discussed what it would mean for her, career-wise, to take on the part, and we came up with the decision that she would do it.

Dawn explains her reasons, “My first priority was to campaign for Anton (Lagdameo) this coming summer. But when ABS-CBN offered me the role originally assigned to Maricel, I studied my options. I came to the decision that I would accept the offer to take on her role in Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin because I like the project, as well as the character I am to portray.”

But that wasn’t the only reason why she agreed to do it. According to Dawn, part of it was because she feels indebted to the network that has been entrusting her with such wonderful projects. She also owes it to the fans who have supported her since her return to mainstream acting. So after her management team and the team behind the show met and reached an agreement as to how to work out Dawn’s schedule, she said yes. There are also plans for her to do a movie in a couple of months. Dawn also dreams of going back to the theater stage and trying out a musical again like what she did in Stephen Sondheim’s classic A Little Night Music or maybe becoming part of a cast of a musical made for film like Les Miserables. Even a talk show is a possibility.

But deciding to do this teleserye wasn’t easy. She reveals, “It entails my having to fly in and out of the province (Davao) once a week to tape for two days.” Fortunately, Dawn has the full support of husband Anton. “I’m happy that Anton gave me his support in this, considering that this wasn’t the schedule we had originally planned for this summer. But he understands how important this work means to me that’s why he was willing to sacrifice some of our campaign schedule to allow me to do both this summer.”

Taking on the role originally meant for Maricel has given rise to comparisons between the two of them. Although this was not what Dawn or I intended to happen, it is hard to sidestep questions like what she would have done had she been in a similar situation or when working with younger actors. Dawn says that whenever she’s on the set, she always makes an effort to get along with everyone in the cast and with production people. “I thrive best in ‘happy sets’ that’s when I am most creative with my craft,” she explains. “I rarely become impatient with the young, budding artists; especially since most of the ones I’ve worked with are real professionals and always come to the set well-prepared.”

Normally, she does not give advice to young talents unless they ask her for it. “I might, however, feel compelled to give advice if I see that they are hampering a work schedule or have bad habits on the set. It has never happened, though. But should it ever become necessary for me to do it, I would take them aside to privately speak to them about whatever is the issue.”

Her advice to young talents is always very simple. Dawn has been in the business for almost 30 years now and there are lessons she’s learned that she’s always willing to share with the younger ones. “My advice has always been for them to never stop studying their craft, whether it be in singing, hosting or acting. I have always kept an eye out for every opportunity to grow as an artist, whether that means joining more acting workshops, or asking advice from others that I look up to and admire. I believe that for as long as one has talent, you can never put them down. So resting on one’s laurels is not an option for young stars who want to last in this business.”

And that is why someone like Dawn Zulueta will be around for a very long time.