Pokwang’s life mirrors ‘Edsa Woolworth’ role

CEBU, Philippines – Pokwang is starting 2015 with a bang via another starring film role in “Edsa Woolworth,” produced by the Filipino Channel (TFC).

Similar to her “A Mother’s Story” in 2011, “Edsa Woolworth” has a melodramatic plot. “Ang drama niya ay 60 percent, 20 percent comedy na hindi nagpapatawa and 20 percent na may kilig2x pero nangingibabaw talaga ang pampamilya,” the 45-year-old actress said during a backstage interview Saturday prior to her promo show at the SM City Cebu Event Centre.

Shot entirely in the United States for 20 days, Pokwang said it’s unnerving to work with her 39-year-old American leading man, especially when they had to kiss in their first scene. “Napakasarap niyang katrabaho at very professional. Sa US, hindi ka pwedeng pa easy-easy lang kasi pagdating sa set, alam talaga nila kung ano ang gagawin. Talagang makakakuha ka sa kanila ng lessons pagdating sa trabaho.”

Pokwang plays the titular role of Edsa Woolworth, eldest among three siblings taking care of their American stepfather who’s suffering from Alzheimers.

Interestingly, “Edsa Woolworth” mirrors what she’s going through in real life, the ABS-CBN star said.

“Yung nanay ko sa totoong buhay ay magsi-75 years old na siya this March. May Alzheimers siya. Masakit man sabihin pero medyo papunta na siya. Gusto ko sana ang malagay sa memorya niya ay inaalagaan namin siya. Dose kaming magkakapatid kaya hindi ko masisisi kung meron kaming lahi sa Alzheimers, kasi ilang beses siyang na-anesthesia. At andami niyang pinagdaanan nung bata pa kami kaya ganun,” shared Pokwang.

“In fairness sa nanay ko magaan ang kanyang pag-Alzheimers. Hindi siya yung maalagain masyado kaya ang naging problema lang namin ay pinatutukan namin siya sa gamot. Kasi hindi na niya alam minsan kung ano ang iniisip niya. Minsan tinatawag niya ako sa ibang pangalan. So sinasabi ko, after nila mapanood ang pelikula na ito ,yayakapin nila ang mga magulang nila. Pagtanda natin, saan ba tayo dadalhin ng mga anak natin? Dadalhin ba tayo sa home for the aged o tayo ba’y aalagaan nila at pagtiyatiyagaan?”

Written by US-based writer Noel Nuguit, “Edsa Woolworth” is centered on an unconventional family strongly bound by ties that go beyond the boundaries of language, race, culture, and even blood. The Woolworths are composed of people with colliding quirks who bicker incessantly, yet manage to stick together through thick and thin.

Pokwang’s Edsa is faced with the dilemma of how to reconcile the desires of her heart and her unconditional love for family.

Famous for her comic roles, how did Pokwang successfully manage her numerous drama scenes? “Yan din ang tanong ko. Siguro nakikita ng network na nakaka-shift ako sa drama. Para sa akin, dahil artista ka, kung ano ang hinihingi ng storya o eksena kailangan mong ibigay. Merong hindi komedyante, pero kapag binigyan mo ng comedy, nakakatawa sila. Yung mga komedyante naman kapag binigyan mo ng nakakaiyak, nakakaiyak rin. Pero mas challenge sa akin ang drama keysa sa comedy kasi nasanay na ako sa comedy.”

Pokwang said that aside from her English dialogue, the hardest part of doing “Edsa Woolworth” was having to return to the Philippines and leave co-workers and co-stars whom she had grown to love.

Next on her plate is the upcoming ABS-CBN primetime drama “Nathaniel” starring Gerald Anderson, Shaina Magdayao, Benjie Paras, and Isabelle Daza. Another movie is also cooked up for her by Star Cinema and Skylight Films.

Meanwhile, the single-mom is looking forward to a trip to Japan this May, where she’s bringing her 18-year-old daughter Mae to meet her father for the very first time. One of her life’s biggest sources of pride, Pokwang cited herself lucky to have an obedient and diligent daughter.

“Mabait na bata at masipag mag-aral. Hindi nasasayang yung tuition fee kahit masakit sa likod ko,” she shared.

“Edsa Woolworth” will air on cinemas nationwide beginning Wednesday, January 14.