Tessie Tomas topbills sexagenarian film

Versatile actress Ms. Tessie Tomas is playing the lead role in “Old Skool,” where she plays Lola Fely, a 69-year-old widow who went back to school. Being a senior citizen, Lola Fely experienced being maligned and terrorized by the resident school bully played by Buboy Villar.

For a very intelligent woman, how did Ms. Tessie prepare for her role as Lola Fely? “As an actress, I have tools. Aside from studying my script, I really make it a point to have character analysis. I try to find out where the character is coming from, why she does, what she does and what she wants to achieve.”

According to Ms. Tessie, Lola Fely is coming from a very lonely place. She felt she doesn’t have a place in this world. For all the love she gave, she is now just on the sidelines. She was devoted and sacrificed for her husband and kids. By going back to school, whatever loneliness or happiness she is feeling, she will find the answers and solace in going to school.

She says it’s an achievement for her to play Lola Fely. “It’s a dream come true, since 90 percent of the film, I am there. Any actress would love to play the role of Lola Fely. I prayed that I would get the role. I am selfish when it comes to good movies. I was really happy when I got the role. The character was written in a different way. Once she made the decision to go back to school so many things happened to her,” said Ms. Tessie.

Why should people watch this movie? “This is not for senior citizens, but I hope that when younger people watch it, they would understand the dreams of the elders. Even if we are already advancing in age, we still have our dreams. It is not too late to aim for what we long to achieve,” she said.

Ms. Tessie also dreams of having a talk show. “I am wondering why we don’t have talk shows anymore. Is it because they don’t rate? I sincerely doubt that. I feel that there is a big audience out there who are looking for lively conversations and additional information every day.”

She is also thinking of bringing her famous character Meldita since there are many things in the political landscape that we need to poke into.

Does she think Madame Imelda Marcos is still relevant? “I don’t think she is. But she is still the power behind her son, especially since Bongbong Marcos is running for vice president. I don’t think she’s mad at me for doing Meldita. Just recently, we were in a social gathering and we even did a duet. More than me being Meldita, I think she was a little upset with the telemovie ‘A Dangerous Life,’ because it was serious.”

“Old Skool” is showing in SM cinemas nationwide beginning today.

* * *

ABS-CBN has teamed up with PLDT, its first-ever official digital partner, for its very own PUSH Awards, the first-of-its-kind award-giving body in Philippine digital media that honors the best among the past year’s certified online hits and entertainment newsmakers based on their online reach and influence, popular votes and excellence.

ABS-CBN chief digital officer Donald Lim said teaming up with PLDT is also an alliance in terms of breaking new ground and recognizing influencers in the digital space.

“We believe that as our audiences become more mature with the digital platform, it is important for our industry’s talents and celebrities to keep the engagement and conversations with their fans beyond the traditional media platforms, and now towards the social media space,” he said.

PLDT VP and Home Marketing Head Gary Dujali, meanwhile, said the partnership is an avenue to acknowledge the importance of social media, connectivity, and the role of entertainment to nurture stronger connections for the Filipino families.

“PLDT is very excited, at the same time positive, about the partnership. PLDT HOME DSL is the country’s #1 home broadband, which ensures that avid fans of celebrities featured in this year’s Push Awards will be able to get their daily dose of Philippine entertainment updates while availing of the connectivity that suits every family,” said Dujali.

PLDT HOME DSL is the country’s leading broadband that provides homes with family-sized connections with speeds up to eight MBS and plans as low as P990 a month.

As part of the partnership and as a treat to their fans and families, PLDT HOME DSL is also giving away a chance to get exclusive seats to the event, just by liking or following @PLDTHome on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and by using #HOMEDSLxPUSHAWARDS when they campaign for votes for their respective idols.

The voting for PUSH Awards is still ongoing. To vote and see the complete list of nominees, just log in to the site using your Facebook account. Only one vote per category will be accepted per day.

Leading the list of nominees are today’s hottest loveteams KathNiel (Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla) and JaDine (James Reid and Nadine Lustre), both nominated in four categories – Most Liked Group or Tandem for PUSHLike (Facebook), Favorite Group or Tandem for PUSH Tweet (Twitter), Most Loved Group or Tandem for PUSHGram (Instagram) and Best Group or Tandem for PUSH Play (YouTube).