With an impressive career in showbiz that has spanned more than four and a half decades, actress Janice de Belen has already proven her depth onscreen. Whether it’s from her breakout role as an 11-year-old star in the 1979 series Flor de Luna or her latest role as the intimidating nun Mother Juana who rules over a convent in the year 1775 in the first episode of this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival entry Shake, Rattle, and Roll: Evil Origins, Janice has proven herself an actress worthy of respect and renown.
In an exclusive interview with PUSH ABS-CBN, Janice talked about why she has no qualms accepting a role that people love to hate in her latest horror film. “I actually enjoy it, very much (laughs). Very much because it’s different. I’m used to playing a particular character and then when you are offered roles that are out-of-the-box who are very different from you, mas exciting. The fulfillment in doing horror is just because I’ve done a lot of horror. So this is like revisiting part of my roots,” she said.
Having been part of some of the most iconic Shake, Rattle, and Roll episodes throughout the years, Janice said she is always thankful when people from different generations still remember and acknowledge her for her roles in episodes like “Pridyider,” “Multo,” “Kulam,” “Ate,” and “Diablo,” just to name a few.
“Siyempre naman masaya di ba? Kasi the first Shake, Rattle, and Roll was in 1984 so wow that’s about 40 years ago. So siyempre nakakatuwa when somebody remembers it. Makikita mo, let’s say medyo bata bata yung lalapit sa akin tapos sasabihin, ‘Ay ang ganda po ng Fridyider!’ Tapos magtataka ka talaga, napanuod niya? Ang tagal na nun! My favorite role in Shake, Rattle, and Roll, not counting this current film, of course it would be Fridyider! Because it’s my first and it’s iconic,” she shared.
In Evil Origins, Janice’s youngest daughter Kaila Estrada joins the horror anthology project for the first time. The 57-year-old actress admitted to PUSH ABS-CBN that never in her wildest dreams would she have expected this to happen and how happy she is for her daughter. “Siyempre hindi ko naisip talaga. But she was so happy to do it because gusto niya gawin. Mahilig sa horror kasi yung mga anak ko eh. So excited na excited siya to do this and to actually experience the monster na makakapatay sa kanya, yung ganun (laughs),” she added.
With the MMFF entries opening on Christmas day, Janice shares her goal to be able to watch as many of the participating films as she can during its limited run. “The truth is, hindi na ako masyadong moviegoer. Kasi sometimes it’s hard and our habits have changed. But last year, I decided that maybe it’s time to go back to the theater. Hindi ko nabuo last year lahat ng MMFF but I want to watch. Kung hindi ko man lang mabuo, at least 80% sana. Kaya lang hindi ko nagagawa because of time. So this year, I’m planning to watch as much as I can,” she admitted.
Watch Janice de Belen in the 51st Metro Manila Film Festival horror film entry Shake, Rattle, & Roll Evil Origins. The trilogy is directed by Ian Lorenos, Shugo Praido, and Joey de Guzman. It also stars Ivana Alawi, Manilyn Reynes, Richard Gutierrez, Kaila Estrada, JM Ibarra, Fyang Smith, Dustin Yu, Sassa Gurl, Ashley Ortega, Ysabel Ortega, and Karina Bautista. Produced by Regal Entertainment.