Manilyn Reynes talks about career highlights

June 12 ------ Manilyn Reynes is among today’s seasoned actresses, who enjoy career visibility and longevity. She plays Elsa, the well-off wife-and-mother with humble beginnings in “Pepito Manaloto,” and Minchie, a former singing girl group member-turned-ordinary family matriarch in “Born to Shine.” Her sitcom, “Pepito Manaloto,” recently celebrated its 16th year, and the character Elsa had a renewal of vows with Pepito, portrayed by actor and comedian Michael V., as shown in its latest episodes.

The STAR got invited for the show’s set visit and met some of its cast members, including Manilyn. “Of course, yung unang-una yung pagkakapasok ko sa showbiz,” said she when asked of her five top-of-mind career highlights. “I was only 10 then… and then, of course, my first major concert at the Araneta Coliseum, I was the youngest.”

“Tapos, Sayang na Sayang, and of course, ‘Pepito Manaloto’ and also the ‘Shake, Rattle & Roll’ and ‘Michael & Madonna’ movies, to name a few,” added she, also recalling her albums such as the debut “Apple Thoughts” with Ivory Records and TV shows like the variety program “Manilyn Live” and the romantic-drama anthology “Young Love, Sweet Love.” Manilyn belongs to that circle of artists who have excelled in singing and acting.

During the brief chat, she also remembered the time when watching TV and going to the movies comprised everybody’s form of entertainment or past time. Avid fans would go to mall shows and line up to see and meet their favorite artists. The fanbase was also solid back then, and followers would give and shower their idols with sampaguita leis.

As for her words of wisdom to the younger artists and aspiring stars, she had this to say: “Alam mo hindi ka ilalagay ni God dyan kung hindi ka nararapat. Hindi ilalagay yung dream na yun sa puso mo kung hindi kayang back-u-pan.” “Pero siyempre, kung ikaw ay magdarasal at maniniwala ka, gawin mo rin ang dapat mong gawin para matupad mo, di ba?,” added she, “at kapag natupad mo na, namnamin mo, gawin mo ang lahat ng kaya mo. Show them what you’ve got give your all.”

Manilyn shared that the artist’s performances should not be “half-baked” and the artist should love what she or he is doing. So, the artist will be able to deliver. And when feeling tired or weary sets in, one needs to go back to where one has started and then ask the following questions: “Bakit ko ba ‘to gusto?; bakit ko ‘to pinangarap?,” said she. “And then you can go on.”

What also matters, according to Manilyn, is that one is in touch with one’s self and one’s truth. Her work schedule shows that she’s shuttling between two programs. So, does she consider this year her busiest? “I would like to think so, I’m really thankful,” said Manilyn, who shares that acting is like singing and vice versa because both involve (studying) lines, emotions and facial expressions. “Ang sarap lang sa pakiramdam na you are blessed, at ito ka pa rin, ka-eksena mo yung mga bata.” “You get to sing with them, you get to act with them… panahon na nila ngayon, and we are just so happy to be here to support (them). Ang importante na may ginagawa tayo, and we’re always thankful.”

Source: philstar.com