As one of the stars of Solar Studios Inc. and Center Stage Productions first film offering this year, Until She Remembers, actress Barbie Forteza admitted to the press that she felt intimidated the moment she found out she would be working closely with veteran actress Charo Santos, who plays her queer grandmother in the film.
“Wala pong katotohanan na hindi po ako na-i-intimidate. My gosh, Diyos ko po (laughs). Alam ko ang estado at value ng isang Charo Santos-Concio sa ating industriya. At para sa isang batang aktor na talagang siniseryoso ang kanyang propesyon at kanyang craft, talagang I really kept in mind na, ‘Barbie, kasama mo siya, co-actor mo siya. Kumalma ka ha (laughs),” she shared during the Until She Remembers presscon held last February 11 in Quezon City.
The 28-year-old actress, who plays a 16-year old high school student named Angel in the story, also shared her initial reaction after meeting the former ABS-CBN president and CEO in person for the very first time.
“Naalala ko talaga nung aming storycon sa Center Stage, si Ms. Charo ang huling dumating. Parang tingin ko talaga sa kanya, ‘Hala si Mama Mary! Ganun (laughs). Andito na siya. Totoo na ‘to.’ So parang sabi ko talaga, ‘Okay Barbie, kalma. Actor ka dito. Huwag kang ma-starstruck, ganyan.' Pero siyempre hindi ko napigilan na hindi magpa-picture. Dahil lagot ako sa nanay ko pag hindi ako nagpa-picture (laughs). Bilin na bilin!”
With the film being a poignant drama told through the eyes of a troubled young girl who found focus in trying to reunite her grandmother with the latter’s first love with someone from the same sex, Barbie said building a believable chemistry with Charo was not that difficult.
“Working with Ms. Charo as my grandmother, I really felt a connection with her. And maybe it’s because she was so generous. Magkasama po kami sa dressing room at grabe, napaka-generous niya in terms of, yung simpleng chika, malaking bagay po yun. Yung pag-share ng kanyang stories and experience. Naging madali para sa akin makatrabaho si Ms. Charo dahil napakagaan po niyang tao. Napaka-saya niyang kasama. Walang ka-ere ere! And very generous and reliable actor. I’m very honored dahil siya po ang aking lola. At ako ang kanyang apo (laughs),” she explained.
Barbie also credited the film’s multi-award winning director and writer Brillante Mendoza for creating a closer connection among the cast.
“Actually malaking bagay na si direk Brillante, ini-insist niya na sabay sabay kaming kumain during breaks. Kasi dun lang namin nakikilala talaga ang isa’t isa personally. Kaya malaking bagay po yun kasi nagkakaroon ako ng deeper understanding of who they really are outside the industry,” she said.
Until She Remembers is under Solar Studios Inc. and Center Stage Productions, with Wilson Tieng as executive producer. The film is written and directed by Brillante Mendoza. The film opens on February 25, Wednesday, in cinemas nationwide.