Hilda Koronel on aging gracefully: Avoid toxic people, emotional vampires

March 7 ------ As Hilda Koronel brings her luminous presence back to the big screen after a 13-year hiatus, she is often asked how she has managed to age gracefully. “I stay away from people most of the time, hahaha! Toxic people, hypocrites, emotional vampires,” Hilda shared with The STAR how she stays stress-free, on the sidelines of a special screening for her comeback film “Sisa,” marking the launch of the Film Development Council of the Philippines’ Cinematheque Centre in Intramuros, Manila. “Yeah, because my friends are quality more than quantity,” she continued.

According to the veteran actress, she had never been fond of the showbiz noise and big party lifestyle, even during her younger years. “Hindi ako pala-party kahit noong bata ako. I don’t,” she said. “I just want some peace and quiet. Most of the time, I’m at home. I stay with my son and my two cats… I’ve been gardening. That’s about it.”

Now based in the United States, Hilda said she’s prioritizing her health over accepting projects. “It’s OK. I mean, kaya pinipili ko naman ang mga projects ko. Because my health is more important,” she added. “It’s not perfect, but I’m OK. I’m still here! Yeah, so ingatan na lang. Siyempre, may edad na, senior na.” While some of her contemporaries have ventured into social media, including TikTok, to reach out to the younger generation, she found out that it’s not really for her. “OK lang iyon. Kanya-kanya lang kami. Huwag na lang ako. Hindi ko kaya,” she laughingly explained. “Ayokong magsayaw. I’m too old! That’s where I draw the line. Ayokong magsayaw ng TikTok, TikTok, oh my god!”

Instead, she relies on her fans to help her manage — at least! — an Instagram account. “Hanggang IG lang ako. The IG fans are even the ones helping me… They’re the ones putting out my photos, my reels… mga Gen-Z girls ko ito,” she said. “Whatever you see on my IG, they’re responsible for that.”

These past few weeks, Hilda has been busy promoting director Jun Robles Lana’s “Sisa,” where she plays the titular role. Set during the American colonial period, the historical drama gave the actress a better understanding of a lesser-known part of Philippine history. “What I’ve learned through this film is that we actually have concentration camps,” she said. “Because when you think about concentration camps, you’re thinking about now… what’s happening in other countries, I won’t mention it na lang. But yun pala, meron din pala tayo noon. “Saka andaming Pilipinong namatay noon. They were tortured, hanged, burned, you know, like what happened to Sisa and to her whole family.”

The film likewise highlights parts of Philippine history that are rarely discussed, she pointed out. “So, ang dami nating hindi pinag-aralan. Ang mga pinag-aaralan, yung mga itinulong nila sa atin, yung mga infrastructure, so on and so forth,” she added. “Pero yung mga masasamang bagay na more than a million Filipinos died, you know, because yung mga nationalist, kapag nahuli ka, tino-torture ka. Talagang binibitay ka. So, hindi natin ito napag-aaralan. And I want the younger generation to look at our history in a different manner. So, hihimayin namin ito sa pelikulang ito.”

With the Americans portrayed as the antagonists in “Sisa,” she clarified the seemingly political nature and timing of the story amid current geopolitical developments. “Hey, don’t forget, my father is American, so I have nothing against them, and I’m an American citizen,” Hilda said. “So, pelikula lang ito. Trabaho lang ito. Hindi ito pulitika, OK? Huwag nating gawing pulitika.”

One thing is certain: “Sisa” makes an ideal Women’s Month feature, with its strong female ensemble cast that includes Eugene Domingo, Jennica Garcia, Tanya Gomez, Angellie Sanoy, Barbara Miguel, Jorrybell Agoto, and Janina Mendoza. It officially opened in over 170 cinemas nationwide yesterday.

The movie is another addition to Hilda’s illustrious career spanning film, television, and theater. She previously gained international recognition for her performances in acclaimed films such as “Maynila: Sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag” and “Insiang,” which remain among the most celebrated works in Philippine cinema. It’s only fitting that her comeback movie was the special feature for the inauguration of Philippine cinema’s new home. “I’m very, very honored that they did that,” Hilda told this paper. This early, there are talks that her film could be a possible choice to field for the next Oscars’ international feature film category. “Sana naman,” she expressed. “It’s for us, the Philippines. Nasa Portugal na ito, sa Fantasporto (film festival), on March 6. We came from Tallinn (filmfest in Estonia). So hopefully we get to do other festivals. It’s for our country naman.”

Source: philstar.com