In the virtual press conference for the newest VivaMax film, The Housemaid, on Monday, August 16, cast members explained their reasons as to why they accepted the project, rather than ‘sitting pretty’ amid the global pandemic.
Jaclyn Jose, Louise Delos Reyes, Kylie Versoza, and Albert Martinez took turns in explaining why they took the risk of working on the said project.
Award-winning actress Jaclyn Jose stressed that it is their calling, as artists, to accept projects even if there is a pandemic.
“Wala eh, calling namin ‘tong mga artista, plus the fact na, di naman ako maghihipokrita, everybody needs to work. So kapag may work, blessing yun.”
However, she cannot deny the threat of COVID-19 as fear creeps into her heart. Despite the pandemic, Jose noted that acting is what she does best.
“I am doing a soap and I’m so in love with my work eh. I’m so bored just to be at home and do nothing. This is what I do best.
“This is what I love to do best and pagka may ganitong magandang characters na bininigay, kahit na yung soap na ginagawa ko, makakalimutan mo for a while eh.”
“Also, it puts her mind at ease knowing that Viva is taking good care of their artists by assuring them that they are safe against COVID-19.
“…sinecure naman kami ng Viva, sigurado naman ang kaligtasan namin, ok naman na, nairaos naman at natapos ang pelikula ng maganda. Naging safe naman,” said the actress.
Jose’s co-star, Delos Reyes likewise agreed with her. She then thanked Viva for keeping them safe from the danger of COVID-19.
“… sobrang thankful lang talaga kami dahil ginawa talaga ng Viva yung best nila para masecure kami, magsama-sama kami na wala kami masyadong kaba na uuwi sa pamilya naming na may dala kaming sakit or anything.”
She then stressed that it is her job. So whenever she gets offers during this pandemic, it is in her own volition to accept them.
“Ito yung trabaho eh. Yun din, tanggap lang nang tanggap ng trabaho and maging safe lang,” ended Louise.
Meanwhile, Versoza, the lead actress in The Housemaid, admitted that she cannot stand being lazy, to the point that she always accepts whenever there is a project offered to her.
“Ako po talaga as a person, hindi ko po talaga kaya mag-sitting pretty. Kailangan ko po talagang magtrabaho.
“At kapag wala po akong ginagawa, maghahanap po talaga ako ng gagawin at maghahanap talaga ako ng something to do.
“Kaya kapag sinasabi nila ‘mag-taping tayo,’ game talaga po ako d’yan as long as gusto ko yung material.”
She siad that she is willing to risk her life for a project like The Housemaid though Viva made sure that everyone’s safe throughout the duration of the filming.
“Ako naman I’m willing to risk, I’m willing to risk my life to tape for this. Masasabi ko naman na we had a safe experience dito sa pag-shoot.”
Martinez was the last person to share his thoughts on working during the pandemic. He considered Viva’s offer as a ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ project.
Regarding safety, the actor mentioned that Viva followed and implemented a strict health protocol to ensure everybody’s protected while doing the film.
“…itong project I cannot refuse. And plus with the strict protocol of Viva, it’s all win-win for me so I’m really glad na I was considered to be part of this movie.”
The Housemaid tells a story of a maid named Daisy (Versoza) who was offered a large sum of money to take care of William’s (Martinez) and Roxanne’s (Delos Reyes) daughter. She did manage to build a relationship with the children and their parents but that is not all.
Daisy also caught the attention of William that eventually led to a sexual relationship. However, the two must be careful as the butler, Ms. Martha (Jose) is becoming suspicious of them.
The Housemaid will be available on VivaMax on September 10.
