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In Pablo Gomez’s Magdusa Ka, Rita Avila plays Toyang. She talked to iGMA about the challenges she encountered and her secret to looking young.
In Pablo Gomez’s “Magdusa Ka,” Rita Avila plays Toyang, a role originally portrayed by the late Nida Blanca. She talks about the challenges she encountered and her secret to looking young despite always being “api” onscreen. No pressure Toyang is the true love of Bernardo, Gardo Versoza’s character. The two fell in love when Toyang was still working as a maid in Bernardo’s house, and they eventually had a child, Christine, who grew up to be Katrina Halili. How does Rita feel about portraying Ms. Nida’s original role? “I don’t want to pressure myself,” she replies with a smile. “Kasi, Nida Blanca yun e. I know marami siyang napanalunang award. I think we shouldn’t think that way na porke’t gagawa ng television version e kailangan pantayan or higitan [yung movie]. Syempre it will be an entirely a different version.” What can she say about Katrina’s debut as a bida? “I saw her on MariMar, and I’m excited to see her playing parang kawawa!” she replies. “Actually, excited ako [to see] her na simple lang yung make-up [at] hindi glamorized.” She imparts that her role as Toyang is different from her past characters in the sense that Toyang is strong when it comes to her principles. “Normally kasi parang mabait na laging api, but here, kahit mabait siya, may paninindigan yung character.” Rita even bought a DVD copy of the movie and watched it to have a background of the story! She also says she’s excited to see how the younger generation will react to the remake. “I think they’re always excited to see a good movie on TV e. Tapos lalo na, favorite stars nila yung [nandoon].” She shares that young actors nowadays are lucky to be given meaty roles in TV shows. “So they have to do their obligation to study, to listen very well, and to look [closely] at their character.” Rita advises these actors to always remain humble and open to criticism. “Kasi minsan pag umiral na yung emotions, they make the wrong decisions. Or maybe sometimes they think that, that they’re great already. They don’t watch movies na, they don’t want to, [and] yun na yung makakasira sa kanila.” Staying young For someone who has lasted this long in the business, what is her secret to looking young, considering most of her roles involve being the underdog most of the time? “I guess I’m blessed with good skin talaga. Kasi low maintenance naman ako e. I just keep it clean, and syempre, put moisturizer and eye cream.” You’d be surprised to find out that she keeps fit by going to the gym three to five times a week! “Kailangan e. I think that’s one of the secrets [of being young] and strong.” For more of Rita Avila, tune in to Pablo Gomez’s Magdusa Ka every weekday afternoon after Daisy Siete. -- Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Interviewed with Loretta G. Ramirez. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Talk about the show in its iGMA Forum thread!