.jpeg)
Lorna Tolentino sits down with entertainment press to promote her MMFF entry 'Espantaho.' Josh Mercado
MANILA -- Award-winning actress Lorna Tolentino has done over 80 films throughout her career, and there's no stopping her as she stars in the latest Chito Roño movie "Espantaho."
With 54 years in the spotlight, Tolentino has earned the right to say no to projects that do not serve their purpose. She has nothing to prove and does not mind being a second choice for Roño's Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) 2024 entry.
“I really don’t care basta nandoon ako sa pelikula,” she said.
She carries her humility with her wherever she goes, as seen by her appearance in front of select entertainment journalists to promote her film with Judy Ann Santos.
When asked about the lessons she gained throughout her entire career, the Grand Slam winner responded: “Dapat alagaan ang sarili. ‘Yun ang unang-una. Habang tumatanda ka, lumalabas ang mga problema mo physically. Alagaan mo ang sarili mo. Kailangan kong bumalik sa pag-eensayo. Kaming mga babae, may menopausal stage at marami kaming hormonal changes. Unahin mo ‘yung sarili mo para humaba pa ang buhay mo.”
Tolentino was referring to her health scare, in which she suffered an aneurism as a result of all the stress and tension she had been through.
“After nung nag-caregiver ako kay Da Boy, doon lumabas lahat. Nagkaroon ako ng aneurism but that was cured immediately right after ng Holy Land trip ko. Nawala na ‘yun. Siguro sa sobrang stress at tension. Kasi 2 years and 7 months akong nakatutok kay Da Boy. Lahat ng simbahan na pinupuntahan namin, isusulat lahat ng wishes. Ibang mga tao ang pinagdarasal ko. ‘Yung mga anak ko, ako ang pinagdasal nila,” she revealed.
The award-winning actress also discussed her heart problem, admitting that she had to take breaks from filming to relax.
“Kasi may sakit ako sa puso. Akala nga nila sa akin kalma-kalma lang ako. May maintenance naman ako for that. Nagka-calm down naman ako. Kapag may mabibigat na eksena na kailangang mag- breakdown, I easily cut off by removing myself from the scene. Lalayo ako para kumalma,” she told ABS-CBN News.
In “Espantaho,” Tolentino plays Rosa (the mother of Judy Ann's character, Monet), who is mourning the death of their family patriarch Pabling (Emilio Sandoval).
About her role, she shared: “Hindi niya puwedeng pakawalan ang pagmamahal niya sa kanyang anak. ‘Yun ang motivation niya. Ipaglalaban niya kahit hindi niya kaya. Ipaglalaban niya lahat basta tungkol sa anak niya at tungkol sa karapatan ng pagkatao niya.”
Praising co-star Santos, she added, “‘Yung character ko, hindi masyadong masalita kaya nagpapasalamat ako kay Juday, kumbaga sa kanya ako humuhugot ng kung ano man ang mararamdaman. She’s a giving actress. Hindi siya maramot.”
Even in love, there’s no stopping Tolentino. She stated that she is still open to finding love.
“Happy ako sa pagiging lola and single pero malay naman natin mayroon pa. Baka lumigaya pa tayo. Masarap pa rin ‘yung kinikilig-kilig. Open pa rin. May mga nanligaw. May mga dumaan lang din,” she confessed.
Produced by lawyer Joji Alonso’s Quantum Films for its 20th anniversary, with Cineko Productions and Judy Ann’s Purple Bunny Productions, “Espantaho” also stars Janice de Belen, Chanda Romero, JC Santos, Mon Confiado, Nico Antonio, Donna Cariaga, Kian Ko, Archi Adamos with Eugene Domingo and Tommy Abuel in very special roles. It opens on Christmas Day, December 25, as part of the 10 MMFF entries.