Angel draws inspiration from ‘martyr’ wives

MANILA, Philippines - Angel Locsin makes her long-awaited teleserye comeback via The Legal Wife which debuts come Monday, Jan. 27, on ABS-CBN’s primetime block.

It’s been three years since she last starred in a soap opera, Imortal, and the Kapamilya actress admitted to feeling the pressure. “In every project, there’s always pressure, but I have to admit pressured talaga ako dito kasi di ba ang laki ng project,” Angel told The STAR in an exclusive interview last Tuesday.

Asked if much of the pressure emanates from the fact that she has the title role, Angel was quick to say that she doesn’t look at it that way, stressing that the success of any project is always a collective effort. 

“I’m very happy with how they’re taking care of me. Whenever I do a project, nagtutulungan lahat… I’m very proud of my co-stars, and I learn a lot from them. I hope that they also learn from me. I’m not here for an acting showdown.”

According to the media release, Angel is Monica, whose husband Adrian is portrayed by Jericho Rosales. Their seemingly ideal married life is about to be turned upside-down because of a huge mistake. The Legal Wife also stars Maja Salvador and JC de Vera with Joem Bascon, Ahron Villena, Rio Locsin, Mark Gil, Bernard Palanca, Maria Isabel Lopez and Christopher de Leon.  The drama series is under the direction of  Rory Quintos and Dado Lumibao.   

Did Angel prepare any differently for her role?

She said, “For me, this is more challenging because we are really making the story more realistic, as well as the attack (to our characters) and everything. (I did) research because I’m not yet married. Well, some of it, I’ve never experienced, particularly the things that married couples go through. I also talked with women who are ‘martyr’ wives, those who left their unfaithful husbands, and wives who had affairs.”

She added that some of her personal experiences also come in handy when drawing out emotions. “Humuhugot ka rin sa sarili mo. Lagi naman tuwing performance mo, kahit ayaw mong humugot sa sarili mo, may lalabas at lalabas talaga na part of you. You’re very vulnerable when you’re acting.”

When tackling projects, whether on the big or small screen, Angel also revealed that she’s the kind of actress who asks a lot of questions. “Matanong talaga ako, kasi hindi naman ako yung pinanganak na magaling na artista, hindi, that’s why I always ask questions kasi dapat maiintindihan ko. It’s better if I understand what’s on the mind of the director so that we have the same flow; we’re on the same wavelength. Kasi sa pelikula, hindi naman ‘Ah, magaling ako, I’m good, I can act, this is how I act,’ tapos pag-in-edit, iba pala ang gustong attack ng director.”

Although she was busy with successive films — two of which In the Name of Love and One More Try won her Best Actress awards — plus a weekly sitcom Toda Max, why did it take her three years before doing another teleserye?

“Ayoko po kasi talaga magsabay ng pelikula at teleserye. I want to give my whole attention to one project,” explained Angel, who had to sacrifice a horror film for this TV series.

While she initially had a few misgivings that The Legal Wife might be a project riding on the trend of “infidelity stories” on TV and in the movies, she’s happy to have been asked to be part of the series, saying that it’s well worth the wait. 

During Tuesday’s presscon proper, the media was requested to refrain from throwing personal questions at the cast, but few managed to ask for their thoughts on the show’s themes of love, betrayal and reconciliation.  

Asked if she has had experienced being betrayed or cheated by a loved one, Angel smilingly threw the question back: “Sino ba sa inyo ang hindi? That’s why the story of The Legal Wife is the story of us all.”

In an answer to another question, Angel said that she doesn’t believe that to get over a special someone, one has to get another.

As for tips on how to let go and move on, Angel said, “For me, just pray. Mas alam ng Diyos kung anong magandang plano. Mahirap naman idasal na, eto ang gusto kong mangyari. Yun palang gusto mong mangyari, hindi naman pala yung mas nakakabuti para sa ‘yo. So, hahayaan ko na lang ang Diyos na magplano ng buhay ko.”