Dawn’s secret to career longevity

Selectiveness in choosing projects is the key to Dawn Zulueta’s longevity in the business.

“I'm very careful with the project I choose. I just don't accept everything. Like I said, my priority is my family,” she told members of the media at the press conference of her new Kapamilya teleserye, “Walang Hanggan.”

Dawn plays Emily Cardenas and reunites with  long-time screen partner Richard Gomez in the primetime drama.

She shared that she rarely accepts acting projects unless it’s good and promising, just like “Walang Hanggan.”

Away from family

“Any time I get me back to work is  time away from my family. So, I better make sure that whatever work I choose is something I really enjoy,” she said.

Dawn added that she got the approval her husband, Davao del Norte Rep.  Anton Lagdameo for the TV drama, even if she originally wanted to rest this year until she finds a good project.

“Naa-appreciate ni Anton kung bakit ko gustong gawin ito. Kasi, sinabi ko na sa kanya na ayaw ko munang magtrabaho. Sinabi ko na ganito yung project, ito yung mga makakasama ko, so he appreciated it and sayang naman if I let it go,” she told the press.

Dawn and Anton have been married  for 15 years. They have  two children.

Balancing act

Time management, she reveals, is the key to managing her family and career.

Dawn shares that she follows a strict working schedule and only shoots every Monday, Wednesday and Friday. It also helps that her mother and in-laws live nearby to check on the children.

“I set activities for them (the children) while I’m away,” Dawn said.

She shared that she is very lucky with her husband, whom she described as “faithful and loyal.” She added that she used to think all men are unfaithful, but Anton changed her views.

“Kay Anton, wala akong masamang tinapay doon. I'm glad kasi he has never given me any reason to doubt his fidelity. I think I am so blessed kasi I thought wala nang ganyang lalaki sa mundo,” she
goes on.

She observes that younger celebrities like her co-stars in “Walang Hanggan” (e.g.Coco Martin, Julia Montes, Melissa Ricks, Paolo Avelino and Joem Bascon) are now  more serious and trained in their craft.

“They pay special attention to their craft. At their age, at the beginning of their career, they are already seriously contemplating the track of their acting and how they’re going to leave a lasting legacy.”

“Walang Hanggan” airs weeknights on ABS-CBN Primetime Bida. It also  stars Susan Roces, Helen Gamboa, Eddie Gutierrez and Rita Avila.