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The award-winning young actress details what it's like playing lesbian roles in films 'Distance' and 'Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita' and compares her first and second lesbian kiss on screen.

Therese Malvar is without a doubt one of the most promising young actresses in Philippine showbiz. In fact, she has recently added another feather to her cap when she won Best Young Actress for the film 'Distance' at the 7th Urduja Heritage Film Awards 2020.

Therese Malvar talks about portraying lesbian characters in 'Distance' and 'Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita.' / Source: @theresemalvar (IG)

The Kapuso actress started acting at a young age and one of her most notable achievements to date is winning the Best Supporting Actress award in a double tie with herself at the 14th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival in 2018 for the films 'Distance' and 'School Service.'

'Distance' is one of Therese's films that debuted on Netflix last September. It was written by Keavy Eunice Vicente and directed by Perci Intalan.

It is also the second film where Therese played a lesbian character. The first one was in the award-winning independent film 'Ang Hulig Cha-Cha ni Anita” in 2013, directed by Sigrid Andrea Bernado.

In an interview with GMANetwork.com, Therese opened up about what's it like portraying lesbian characters in 'Distance' and 'Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita.”

“Parehas po silang challenging but in a different way, kasi the difference between si Anita and then si Carla in 'Distance' was mas mature 'yung sa 'Distance.'

“They're both the same in slowly trying to figure out who they really want. So, that's their similarity.

“But then Anita was dealt with really lightly, really fun. While sa 'The Distance' medyo mabigat na parang very, very confused siya and there are no light moments, ganun.

“Ang bigat kasi kinikimkim niya, hanggang sa huli, she was able to express and confess her feelings sa girl na gusto niya.”

Therese had kissing scenes for both films and revealed what made the first time different from her second kiss.

“Both of them parehas may kissing scene pero mas mature -Wow! Mas mature? (laughs) - mas mature, mas matagal sa 'Distance' dahil mas matanda na ('yung character), ganun.”

Therese Malvar also compares her first and second lesbian kiss on screen. / Source: @theresemalvar (IG)

The multi-awarded actress also expressed her gratitude to the directors and teams she has previously worked with, citing how they've helped her become an effective actress.

“Thankfully the directors and the team that I have worked with sa mga projects ko sobrang galling po nila.

“Tinuturuan po nila ko if I don't execute it that well, or if hindi kita sa mata ko or sa expression ko sa mga eksena. They would really help me.”

Therese also shared that 'Gasping For Air' Director Carlo Obispo and the rest of the team helped her act out scenes she wouldn't normally experience in real life such as “bugaw” scenes.

They provided her with alternative motivation or “hugot” so she could execute the emotions or expressions needed for the scene.

“It's always (about) modifying to make it feel more natural for me. And also, we do these immersions para mas mage-gets namin or mas mage-gets ko 'yung character, para mas mabuo ko 'yung character sketch.

The promising young actress also revealed how she makes her acting look very natural and effortless.

“I also implement myself in each scene to make it more natural. Like, if the character is sad, I can also think about something that is sad for me.

“And if the character is happy, I'll also think na 'Why is she happy?' in that scene. And then from there, magiging mas natural na 'yung scene, ganyan.”

You can watch Therese Malvar's interview in the Kapuso Showbiz News video above.

If the video above is not loading properly, you may watch it HERE instead.

You might also want to read about what Therese Malvar's reaction is after two of her films debuted on Netflix last September.