Eugene Domingo on living a happy, unapologetic life

March 13 ------ Eugene Domingo is one of the best actors in the industry. She has rightfully earned her dazzling spot in the Philippine entertainment biz. She has incessantly displayed her acting prowess by breathing life into every character she portrays, whether onstage or in notable films such as “Kimmy Dora” and “Ang Babae sa Septic Tank.” The fabulous Uge is the real deal.

As an actress, Uge admitted that she doesn’t want to accept movies that have no message. “Before my role, I’m really concerned about the message of the film. Whether it’s big or small, it has to say something,” she said during her recent interview on “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.”

Actors have their own acting styles. Some follow their instincts or draw inspiration from personal experiences, while others work directly on their script on set. Uge talked about her own process, saying, “My preparation as an actor is very simple. I read the script. It’s a gut feel. I read it as an audience. If I see the movie, how will I feel? What is the connection with me? If the script is beautiful, naiyak, tumawa, pumalakpak, nagalingan ako, then I will be in this movie, whatever the role is.”

As a veteran, Uge gave a piece of advice to young actors who often fall into the trap of developing certain bad habits. “Please don’t prepare too much because it depends on the condition of the set. It depends on your director and co-actor. Prepare in such a way that you know the script, the scene that you’re going to shoot, but don’t prepare your emotions.”

As Delia in her latest movie, “Sisa,” she had the amazing opportunity to work alongside legendary actress Hilda Koronel. Uge remarked, “Imagine, she’s already a senior, pero kapag kasama mo siya sa trabaho, wala kang maririnig na kahit anong pain or kahit na anong demands. She will memorize her lines. She will ask the director what she’s supposed to do. She respects (her) co-actors.”

Uge will celebrate her 10th wedding anniversary with her husband, Italian film critic Danilo Bottoni, this year. The couple met in Italy in 2014 during the Udine Far East Film Festival, where her film, “Barber’s Tales,” was an official entry. Uge was already contemplating entering the convent at that time until she found true love unexpectedly. “I loved him from the day I realized I loved him, and I have to love him until I die,” she said during our conversation.

The multi-talented actress described Danilo as a man of strong faith with immeasurable patience. “You cannot imagine being married to an actress. It’s a disaster. Every day is a drama. A small instance that you will give an actress a chance to be a dramatic queen, she will use it to some extent hanggang manalo siya sa argument. My husband is so patient.”

On the lighter side, Uge talked about her viral video taken at Kiray Celis’ wedding. “Hindi naman talaga iyan para i-post at ipagyabang. Para lang iyan kay Enchong (Dee) kasi kasama rin siya doon. Tapos niloloko ko siya kasi kumukuha siya ng mga videos. Sabi ko, ‘Ako i-video mo ako,’” she shared. “Eh, pinost niya. Nagulat na lang ako, viral na ako. Kung anu-ano na ang mga sinabi. Iyong talagang bash na okay na for the whole year. Kotang-kota na, eh. ‘Parang baliw,’ ‘tinawag lang mag-ninang kasi kulang,’ ‘parang naghatid ng labada.’” She added in jest, “So, gusto ko lang ipaliwanag at gusto ko rin mag-sorry. Para doon sa mga naghanda at nag-abala, pasensya na. Ako iyong nag-viral. Pasensya na. Baka malaki iyong nagastos nyo, nahirapan kayong huminga, ang taas ng mga takong nyo. Eh, iyong hitsura ko, tingnan mo naman, di ba? So, pasensya na at ako iyong nag-viral.”

She rises above the bashings, and I celebrate Uge for her presence, confidence and bravado in doing what she did and living a happy, unapologetic life!

Source: philstar.com