Raising Kim Samsoon

Adding another notch to her already illustrious career, Ms. Tessie Tomas plays her role as Kim Samsoon's mother to a T. – Text by Erick Mataverde. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio Comedienne, Bar None Playing the role of Ms. Sonia Buot in the Koreanovela adaptation Ako si Kim Samsoon, Tessie Tomas has proven her comedic prowess by effortlessly bridging the gap of a multi-dimensional character with her usual flair. But as she relates, it still took a bit of careful study for her to pull it off. "Nung una I didn't know how to approach the Korean telenovela [genre]. Tapos I got the hang of it. Naging challenging din. So parang nagkakaroon ng inter-cultural [exchange]. Secondly, I think script and everything-wise it was very fast,' she explains. She continues: "Kasi ako din hindi ko alam what kind of a role it was and then as it unfolded it turned out to be very challenging. I like the comedy that I do in Sonia and also the shifts into being a serious [character]. Kasi marami siyang heartaches; sa asawa, sa hirap ng buhay. Mas naging well-rounded ito[ng role]. Humor Has It In recalling what particular scenes were quite memorable to her, she reveals: "Marami eh. Kasi ang ganda naman nung role. Siguro yung mga [times] na I am beating her (Kim Samsoon) up. Like yung maraming nagkagusto sa eksena na naguusap kami sa loob ng bus, tapos [sinasabi ko]‘Kaya mo yan! Kaya mo yan!' Tapos pak! Binabatukan ko siya. Yung nagagalit ako bigla.' "Si Sonia [kasi] always na [nakaka-identify]sa side ng mga tao, yung mga naka-dipa gustong-gusto nila, umiiyak [at] tumatawa. Tapos kunyari masyado involved sa amin ni Dodong. Nami-miss ko nga siya ngayon kasi wala siya eh! Etching!' she jokes, referring to her on-screen love interest as played by Marcus Madrigal. "Ako I would prefer na sa ganitong klaseng project ako mapunta uli sa susunod na ika-nga eh sana light comedy lang ako. Kasi I'm basically a comedienne, I know I am good at it. So I would like to keep making people laugh than making people cry, especially during hard times like now. Yun ang aking desire, so sana matupad,' she divulges, proving how seriously she regards her profession and her belief that she can further enhance her art and, at the same time, her sensitivity towards her audience's needs. A Gratifying Experience Wanting to express her appreciation for being a part of Ako Si Kim Samsoon, she only has high praises for her castmates. She declares: "First of all, kay Regine (Velasquez), kasi its such a delight to be working with her, yung comedy ni Regine is very swabe, hindi siya nag-pupush too hard. It is such an honor to be working with her, such a delightful person. Walang mood swings, this carries on with work. "The likes of Uge (Eugene Domingo's nickname), Carmi (Martin) and John Lapus are all very, very good. First time din namin ni Uge magkasama sana lang mas marami kaming eksena. It's also such a delight to work also with Jennica (Garcia). At a such a young age she's a very good actress especially sa daigdig ng comedy," she continues. And, of course she obviously would not neglect all the fans and supporters who kept themselves glued to the screens every night to watch the side splitting adventures of Kim Samsoon. "Maraming-maraming salamat sa lahat ng tumututok sa Kim Samsoon at nag e-enjoy. Magaganda yung mga feedback na sinasabi nila [tulad ng] nakakawala ng problema, natatawa, hindi sila nai-inip kasi mabilis ang pacing. So maraming maraming salamat po at I'm sure ang GMA will continue to give you very good and entertaining programs," she pronounces. "Ako nagpapasalamat sa GMA management for giving me such a nice break kasi bagu-bago lang akong Kapuso, so I've been so lucky with the right roles. And now [I have been given] another chance to showcase whatever I can offer in Philippine comedy and I couldn't ask for anything more," she states in parting. Know and discuss more of Tessie Tomas and Ako si Kim Samsoon by logging on to the iGMAForums! Not yet a member? Register here!