Isabella “Sab” Jose is returning as a cast member for ‘Lungs’ at this year’s Sandbox Festival by The Sandbox Collective. The actress couldn’t connect more deeply with the beloved piece now that she is a mother.
According to the actress, during the press conference for the show on May 16, parenthood added emotional weight and depth to her interpretation of the script. She states, “It just became so real to me. In terms of depth, I think I have a greater purpose now, knowing that I have a child to raise, this person to educate and mold. I’m a completely different person, and there’s more emotional weight when I read the script now.”
After performing ‘Lungs’ prior to the pandemic and embarking on motherhood, her perspective on the script has changed significantly.
Jose also gave us a glimpse of her surprise parenthood amidst the pandemic. She said, “In 2020, we did not plan to have a baby, to be honest. It’s a surprise blessing. In terms of my sanity, I was pregnant in the middle of a health crisis, amidst all uncertainties. It was a lot for me.”
“I did not know if I could handle it. I carry that emotional baggage, going through that and getting through it, and now raising my child with all this political unrest. Looking into my child’s eyes gives me hope,” the actress added, referring to the story tackled in ‘Lungs’.
‘Lungs’ delves into intimacy intricacies as it follows the journey of a young couple contemplating starting a family.
Jose also disclosed that she doubted her ability to return to the stage. She expressed how her comeback for ‘Lungs’ was a momentous and deeply emotional experience.
“So, this is a monumental emotional moment for me because I’m a new mom, and I didn’t think I’d have it in me to come back and leave my child, who just turned two. And it’s a very real thing for me, bringing him into the world in the middle of a pandemic, climate change, political unrest, everything! So, I felt so guilty bringing him into the world, to be honest,” confessed Sab Jose.
From June 17 to July 15, 2023, Sandbox Fest will take place at the Zobel de Ayala Recital Hall. This is located on the 2nd floor of the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in BGC, Taguig.
