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Eugene to acting newbies: Learn to wait

Chill! This is Eugene Domingo’s well-meaning advice to acting newbies in a hurry to make it big.

Asia’s Favorite Actress believes “success is sweeter if it’s the right time.”

Destiny also plays a big role.

“Hindi mo makokontra kung ano ang gusto ng Pangninoon para sa `yo,” the star of  “Kimmy Dora & The Temple of Kyeme” goes on. “Huwag magsikat-sikatan”

But destiny alone is not enough. Attitude is crucial.

“Pagbutihin muna ninyo ang trabaho ninyo bago magsikat-sikatan,” Eugene tells young actors.

It’s also important to be open to everything.

“Huwag kang tatanggi (sa roles). Darating ang panahon na bibigay sa 'yo  ang roles that you deserve because you’re a very reliable performer.”

Eugene should know. She never thought she’d graduate from Ai Ai delas Alas’ best friend to title role status after Kimmy Dora made her an overnight star in 2009. And now that the film’s sequel is in the can and ready for release in over 100 theaters nationwide come June 13, Eugene admits feeling nervous.

“May kaba,” she admits.  “Pero may tiwala at pananalig ako na pinaghirapan at pinagsikapan namin ito at gusto naming maging sulit anfg bawat sentimo ng mga Pilipino.”

By ‘namin,’ Eugene is referring to her director, Joyce Bernal, leading men Zanjoe Marudo and Dingdong Dantes, co-stars Ariel Ureta and others, writer Chris Martinez and the production staff who had to endure negative zero temperatures in Korea while shooting the film.

Negative temperatures

“We shot for 10 days at the height of Korean winter,” Eugene recalls.n“It was snowing all the time on Day 1 of shooting sa bundok. Temperature was negative 17.  On Day Two, it was negative 22. Wala kaming mainom. Na-freeze ang tubig naming. Hindi umandar ang camera. Hinintay ko na lang kung sino ang unang bumaligtad or unang malagutan ng tenga.”

The ordeal lasted all of 12 hours since they were shooting from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Thanks to her theater background, Eugene didn’t mind relieving herself in one secluded corner and forgetting all about poise.
“Huwag na umarte.  It was exhausting. I felt like I was doing my last movie,” she recalls.

Eugene is exaggerating, of course. After “KImmy Dora”, Eugene will do the finishing touches of the musical movie “I Do Bidoo Bdoo” , a tribute to Jim Paredes, Danny Javier and Buboy Garovillo of the Apo.
Then it’s back to her first love: theater.

Modernized ‘Bona’

Eugene is ecstatic after learning that Nora Aunor instantly gave the thumbs up to a modernized “Bona” with the comedienne in the title role.

“Na-flatter ako,” Eugene relates.

After all, “Bona”, directed by  National Artist for Film, Lino Brocka, is one of the jewels of local cinema.  Nora was brilliant as the lead star.

The modern version, reveals Eugene, is a PETA  (Philippine Educational Theater Association) production to be directed by Soxy Topacio. Rehearsals start July.

You can’t blame Eugene if she feels “content, satisfied and grateful.” Never  mind if people always ask her why she hasn’t found Mr. Right until now.

“Mas marami naman siguro ‘yong nagmamahal sa akin. So masaya ako,” she smiles. Besides, she adds, it’s a lot better to be alone than fall for a wrong guy who will only ruin your world.

Now that projects are a-pouring, Eugene is managing her finances the best way she can.  She knows fame and fortune, especially in showbiz, is not for keeps.  So she is saving for the proverbial rainy day.

“Lahat ng kinikita ko ngayon iniipon ko,” she states. “Hindi ako mahilig gumastos ng malaki. We’re not always this hot.”

How’s that for keeping one’s feet firmly planted on the ground?