Rita Martinez, star of the upcoming Girl’s Love (GL) series Lulu, admitted on Monday, December 6, that she had a hard time revealing her true identity.
“When I first came out, it was a struggle for me also. S’yempre growing up in a very conservative family, it was difficult,” she said during the show’s virtual media conference.
At the age of 17, Martinez revealed to her family that she was a lesbian, causing a rift in their relationship at first. But the young artist said she understood the sentiment of her loved ones.
“I mean kumbaga may reason naman kung bakit ko rin pinagdaanan at bakit din nila napagdaanan. Siguro natuto rin kami sa isa’t-isa. It was hard, it was—s’yempre may mga heartbreaking moments pero it was all worth it. Now we are all very close, working each other, very supportive na ang family,” she shared.
Martinez started in The Voice Philippines back in 2014 where she first advocated for the LGBTQIA+ community.
By doing Lulu, where Martinez plays a lesbian, she continued spreading awareness about her community and accepted that not all people would welcome them.
“It’s sad sometimes pero life must go on. If it really is an advocacy and it is in your heart to represent our community, then regardless of whatever it is, good or bad, it’s in our hearts. Kaya nga tinatawag nila na love wins. Love pa rin talaga. Walang pinipili ang love,” she explained.
When asked if she is willing to play straight roles, Martinez said she can make adjustments for the sake of the project.
“Why not? Open naman po ako sa idea. Depende naman po sa ibibigay na role pero kaya naman po. We can always adjust naman po eh.”
Lulu is Martinez’s first acting project and stars Viva star Rhen Escaño. It is under the direction of Sigrid Bernardo.
The series will premiere on Vivamax, January 7, 2022.
