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Anyone who looks at Ms. Liza Lorena would no doubt assume that she is a star. And despite decades in the business she keeps herself young and fabulous.
Anyone who looks at Ms. Liza Lorena would no doubt assume that she is a star. But despite spending 40 years in show business, there is not a hint of arrogance in her. She is the epitome of someone with ageless beauty and exquisite demeanor, and we were given the rare opportunity to witness that first-hand. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Interviewed with Loretta G. Ramirez. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Pablo Gomez’s Magdusa Ka Ms. Liza was actually part of the original movie as Olivia, a character now portrayed by Jackie Lou Blanco. This time, she’s Doña Perla, first played by Ms. Arminda Siguion-Reyna. “When you catch the story [on TV], syempre may kaunting kaibahan yan ‘no,” Ms. Liza says, referring to the difference between the big and small screen versions of the Pablo Gomez hit. She adds that she has faith in the roster of actors in the remake. “Well, most of them naman, they’re good e—yung mga young stars? They’re very good.” The only thing she has noticed about some celebrities nowadays is the lack of respect for veteran actors like herself. “Yung attitude minsan, you know, hindi marunong mag-respeto sa nakatatanda sa kanila. But some lang—most of them, okay naman. But they can act. The young ones now, talagang they’re good!” She shares that direk Maryo J. Delos Reyes, who is heading the series, is a very good friend of hers—she was in his directorial debut movie, after all. “First movie ni Maryo was my movie, High School Circa!” she says. “So we’ve known each other for 30 years.” She warns, “But that guy has a temper! Pag play time, play time. Pero pag work, gusto niya, [seryoso].” She imparts his contribution to her growth as an actress. “More on [having] fun, like yung mga ‘bagets’ na ginawa namin. Yung mga comedy. And then sa drama [na] style niya, gusto ko rin. [But he’s] ‘Uy, magkaibigan tayo pero know your lines. Hindi porke’t friends tayo, special treatment na.’ Walang ganoon.” Does she think this remake has what it takes to be a hit? “Well, yung mga older [audiences], curious na mapanood [ito], [because they’ve seen it before]. Then [it’s also] well directed. So I’m sure tatangkilikin [yan]. And, maraming fans si Katrina (Halili)!” Thoughts on the star Ms. Liza is all praises for the show’s lead actress, Katrina, best known for her role as Angelika in MariMar. “Kaya ako nanood ng MariMar, favorite namin ng apo ko yan e!” she shares. “[My grandchild] would always say, ‘Ma-ri-Mar!,’ and I would answer, ‘Aww!’” Does she think Katrina could pull off a bida role? “Oo,” she answers. “Kasi maraming nagkakagusto sa kanya as kontrabida, e. So she’s [very effective as an actress]. Kung mako-convince niya yung tao na pwede siyang maging lead talaga, pwede, because she can act. And marami siyang followers so pwede naman yun like Eddie Garcia, bida-kontrabida.” “[She’s not stereotyped as a kontrabida because] bata pa siya,” she explains. “So now is the best time [for her to try new things]. Di ba?” Staying power For someone who’s been in the industry for 40 years, Ms. Liza says that she couldn’t imagine doing anything else. “I’m having fun. I’m making money [and although] may kasamang frustrations din, naga-add ng kulay yun!” What’s her secret to staying on top? “Well, dapat may talent ka, but it starts with [you] honing your craft. [And it’s also] more on you knowing how to deal with people—how to respect them and be nice. Kasi kahit na gaano ka kagaling, if you’re not nice, when you go down, nobody is there to pull you up.” Aside from loving her craft, Ms. Liza says that it’s her family that keeps her young. “My kids are my ‘kuya’ and ‘ate!’” she remarks, laughing. “My daughter Wednesday is 31 yrs. old, pero ‘ate’ tawag ko! Si TonTon (Gutierrez) is 40. Then my six-year-old apo is a champion golfer! He plays in the States in the Philippine Team.” “And there’s my mom, my mom is still alive. And I have only one sister, and she survived cancer. So, that makes me happy and thankful. I keep things simple. Ayoko ng complications.” She continues, “I enjoy being with young people, and alam ko music nila! Mga ‘in’ music! Hindi yung puro tango! We also dance in the house—my mom dances pa rin, [at] 88 years old. So we’re a dancing family!” Ms. Liza keeps fit by watching her calorie intake, but she admits that it’s been really difficult. “Oh, you should have seen me during my heyday! I had my share of glorious [looks!] Pero ang hirap-hirap mag-reduce! For me to lose kailangan kumain lang ako ng 1,600 calories a day!” “Pero tanggap ko na, kahit hindi ka makabili ng [gusto mong clothes!] I’m still vain, kaya lang nag-let go ako! Haha! So I should exercise again!” Don’t worry, Ms. Liza, you’ll always stay young and “glorious” in iGMA’s eyes! Don’t miss Pablo Gomez’s Magdusa Ka every weekday afternoon after Daisy Siete. Talk about the show in its iGMA Forum thread!