Kris Bernal on playing a villain: 'Nagmukha ba kong kontrabida nung nawala na 'yung chubby cheeks ko?'

Kris Bernal is open for her career to evolve, admitting she has accepted moving into playing kontrabida characters.

On Friday’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” the Kapuso actress reflected on her journey, acknowledging that there were moments when her shows weren’t performing as strongly as before.

“May time rin na — parang feel ko lang po ha — hindi na nagki-click yung mga shows ko. Parang lagi nilang sinasabi [before], rater ka sa panghapon ganyan, siguro yung mga una-una ko ng mga shows, pero noong bandang huli, hindi na rin. Parang hindi na rin nagwo-work,” Kris said.

When asked how she survived that stage, Kris admitted that she just learned to accept things.

“Wala. Parang feel ko tinanggap ko na lang din. Tinanggap ko na lang din na, 'ah, baka ito na yung time na nagla-lielow na rin yung career ko,' na yung peak ng career ko was with Aljur. Tapos ganito na yung nangyayari,” she said.

Kris admitted that she feared fading out of the industry, so she pushed herself to stay active even after pregnancy.

“Ayaw ko talaga mawala. Kaya nga kahit nung nabuntis ako, nanganak ako, tina-try ko pa rin maging active kung kaya,” she said.

Kris continued to open up about her transition from lead to kontrabida roles.

“Hindi ko rin actually maintindihan, Tito Boy, paano nangyayari yun. Parang hindi ko rin ma-figure out ano ba yung reason bakit ako biglang napunta sa kontrabida. Ang naiisip ko lang, dahil ba yun nga yung sumobrang payat ako? Yun na lang naiisip ko eh, nagmukha na bang kontrabida yung mukha ko kasi nawala na yung mga chubby cheeks ko dyan,” she said.

Kris also touched on other possibilities, including her shows’ declining ratings.

“Or because nga baka dahil hindi na masyado nagre-rate yung mga last shows na ginagawa ko sa hapon, kaya ginawa na akong kontrabida para ibigay sa mga raters naman.”

Kris reflected on the trajectory of veteran actresses who successfully transitioned from lead roles to character parts, noting that she hopes to follow a similar path.

“Yan lang din siguro yung iniisip ko ngayon na sana papunta na rin ako doon sa pagiging character actress, na pwede pa rin. Ngayon, kunwari, kontrabida ako. Baka next pwede ulit ako maging bida, pero iba namang character, ganun,” she said.

Kris also acknowledged the realities of a constantly evolving industry, noting that many new talents have emerged, bringing larger followings and more fans.

“Maraming nang bago, maraming nang mas maraming followers, mas maraming fans," she said.

"Naisip ko rin, na na-reach ko na rin naman yung peak ng career ko na mataas yung ratings, successful yung mga shows, tuloy-tuloy yung shows ko, tuloy-tuloy yung mga ginagawa ko sa GMA,” she added.

Kris is set to star in “House of Lies” with Beauty Gonzalez, Jackie Lou Blanco, Snooky Serna, Martin Del Rosario, Mike Tan, Kokoy De Santos, and more.

The upcoming afternoon teleserye will premiere on Jan. 19 at 3:20 p.m. on GMA Afternoon Prime. — Carby Basina/LA, GMA Integrated News