Rita’s dream

MANILA, Philippines - One weekend, Rita Avila was at South Fairview’s house of her aunt Nory Aguilar, this writer’s neighbor in Quezon City, for an afternoon conversation. The actress/writer was accompanied by her husband, Frederick “FM” Medina Reyes of Nueva Ecija, noted director of ABS-CBN’s TV series Moon of Desire, Maging Sino Ka Man, Lovers in Paris, Apoy sa Dagat, e-Boy, Sana’y Wala ng Wakas and Lobo.

She said that she first met her would-be hubby FM in Maalaala Mo Kaya. At that time, he was still an assistant director, a fresh graduate from the University of the Philippines Diliman, with a degree in Film and Audio-Visual Communications.

Christened Ana Marie Crisologo Errea, whose maternal ancestor is from Vigan, Ilocos Sur, Rita was first discovered by Seiko Films producer Robbie Tan through the Actors Workshop Foundation where she was taking lessons then to improve her thespian skills for a TV commercial shoot.

Her first movie with Seiko Film was The Sisters (with Jackie Lou Blanco), and the rest is history. She has done almost 50 films to date.

Her latest film was an indie, titled Magdamag (The Tryst), with Edgar Allan Guzman. The film, a two-character study involving a middle-aged teacher, was directed by Joven Tan.

“We need to have more legit theaters that can entice audience. (I think) there is still lack of awareness due to moviegoers’ fan-mentality,” she said.

Rita also became a part of GMA Network’s long-time running late afternoon entertainment show, That’s Entertainment, hosted by German “Kuya Germs” Moreno, who celebrated his birthday recently.

“Napilitan akong sumayaw at kumanta (I was forced to dance and sing). Kuya Germs was so cool and he had encouraged you to muster your best efforts,” said Rita who finished high school at Stella Maris College in Quezon City and took hotel and restaurant management at the University of Santo Tomas.

She was last seen on GMA 7’s TV series Innamorata. “The good thing about being an actor is that you’ve got to experience somebody else. It is a bonus if you work with good actors and directors. You go to different places during shooting, too,” she said with a gleam in her eyes.

In 1997, she won Best Actress in the Asian TV Awards in Singapore for her superb portrayal as the enlightened woman of the Spanish time on ABC 5’s Alitaptap sa Gabing Madilim, directed by the late Mario O’Hara.

She related that one director she could not forget is Peque Gallaga, for “you can feel on the set that you’re abroad.” 

“(Peque) is a disciplinarian, but he knows how to respect the actors. He treats the crew well. He sees to it that whatever he eats would be the same for all the crew and the actors,” she reminisced.

By nature, Rita is a shy person. During a premiere night of a movie, she would rather be a listener or an observer than to be a speaker in front of a huge crowd.

Interestingly, Rita loves poetry and does some sketching. She also contributes articles to this paper’s Entertainment section.

“I am a voracious reader. I read extensively from literary to self-help books. During shooting breaks, I read in a corner,” she said.

During weekends, she and her hubby would eat out or go to the bookstore. Or they would always get involved in ventures, like helping an orphanage in Tagaytay.

It should be recalled that the couple lost a child some years ago, but she learned to accept the realities of life. “I would choose to offer my son to God rather than see him suffer. My spiritual adviser asked me if I felt angry, and I said, ‘No.’ I did not blame God, and never would I blame Him.”

She has authored three books: 8 Ways to Comfort with Grace (an inspirational booklet focusing on her sad moments when she lost her son), Si Erik Tutpik at si Ana Taba (a coloring book that centers on kids who experience bullying), and recently The Invisible Wings (a fable that lets us see our world, our time as a likely place for angels).

She is also hoping her very supportive husband FM would do three films  five years from now. While her ultimate dream is to have a baby, she just wants to be happy and do the things that she likes.

“The doors had opened when my son died. I was able to write a book and was able to compose a song I had never imagined I could do,” she said with a wide, sweet smile.

Certainly, Rita has learned to submit to God’s will.