Iza Calzado gets emotional in Osaka

MANILA, Philippines — Almost of all of us worship our parents. Iza Calzado proves she is no exception when she acknowledged their presence in Osaka, where film fest jurors recently named her Best Performer for the psychological thriller “Bliss” (rated R-18 by the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board).

Iza felt the tears flowing down her cheeks when a Filipina writer based in Japan asked her questions about her late father, director-choreographer Lito Calzado.

How has he influenced her career?  What has he imparted to her?

The mere mention of her dad’s name at a time and place she least expected it let loose a flood of emotions in the Kapamilya actress.

“I can’t believe somebody’s asking me about my dad there,” recalled Iza.

She apologized to the foreigners around her for letting her emotions get the better of her. It dawned on Iza that her late parents used to go to Osaka for business (their placement agency sent entertainers in Japan). Iza herself visited the city as a child.

It also dawned on her that they were right there, applauding her as she went on stage minutes after she recovered from shock and gave her victory speech.

“My father always taught me to put my heart into everything I do. He taught me to do things with authenticity and passion. I can’t say I’m doing it all the time, but I’m trying my best, even with my relationship (to British-Filipino businessman Ben Wintle),” she told her kababayan.

Now that she is playing the antagonist Grace Noble in the primetime serye, “A Love to Last,” Iza has more reasons to plunge into a role with all the fire and passion she can muster. As the third wheel in the story, Iza’s character does everything to destroy a beautiful relationship (between Anton and Andeng, the characters of Ian Veneracion and Bea Alonzo, respectively).

Judging by the netizens’ angry remarks, she is succeeding so far. Viewers have been wanting to see more of Grace lately. And Iza is tickled pink. 

ABS-CBN is happy, too. That is why it decided to bring Grace back on screen.

“It’s quite exciting because the challenge is to shake that relationship without being too evil,” shared Iza.

She does not mind playing a mom when she herself has yet to be one in real life.

“I accepted the role. And it’s just a role. It doesn’t define who you are as a human being. I just want to work. There are things that will not restrict me from doing a project. I’ll do it if I like the role, and the cast is good.”

Still, she feels there is more work to be done. She pushed back her plans to return to theater for next year, because no one knows until when “A Love to Last” will, yes, last.

One thing is sure. Iza will continue to act, even when she ties the knot. She sees herself shuttling from the Philippines to anywhere in the world so she can continue her acting career.

After all, Ben, her boyfriend, has always been supportive of her career ever since they started their relationship five years ago. He was with her in Osaka. He lets Iza watch teleseryes even if he cannot understand the dialogue.

In the meantime, Iza is enjoying her career and cannot wait for more.