She’s big. So what?

A few Sundays ago, I was flipping channels and happened to tune in to Korina Sanchez’s Rated K program on ABS-CBN that carried the episode title Eh Ano?. One of the interviewees was Rosanna Roces, whose plain and simple response to public reaction about her having grown horizontally is "Eh ano? (So what?)"

Actually, I wasn’t surprised anymore to see how Osang had managed to fill up the entire TV screen with just her image because I had seen her earlier in another interview where she announced to the world that she now tips the scale at 180 lbs. and is happy about it.

Of course, I also saw her in an episode of Maalaala Mo Kaya, which incidentally, did extremely well in the ratings game. It was just unfortunate that I was unable to review it because I didn’t get to watch the show in its entirety since I was in between appointments and managed to sit only through the middle part. I didn’t even get to see how it ended, in fact.

The story is about a beauty parlor attendant (Rosanna), who is forced to live under one roof with her ex-husband (Albert Martinez) and his current wife (Dimples Romana) for the sake of her son (Goyong). How Rosanna’s character is thrown into that kind of awkward situation I have no idea (remember I tuned in rather late?).

But I saw how Osang was back in form – in the acting department, I mean. Dimples Romana was also excellent and that didn’t surprise me anymore because I had seen her previous films with Jose Javier Reyes five, six years ago and already saw her potentials even then. (Oh, she was marvelous in her confrontation scenes with Ms. Roces.) And then, Albert Martinez is already Albert Martinez and he had always been reliable.

The show, however, belonged to Osang and while watching her I remembered her notable performances in Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin, Ang Lalaki sa Buhay ni Selya, Curacha: Ang Babaeng Walang Pahinga that all earned for her acting nominations and, of course, La Vida Rosa, which won for her a Best Actress trophy from the Gawad Urian.

Well, she may be big now, but she’s still big in talent – and that’s what’s important. For her performance in that Maalaala Mo Kaya episode, she deserves an acting nomination – if not the trophy itself – from our award-giving bodies for television.

How I wanted to congratulate Osang personally for that Maalaala Mo Kaya performance that very moment. Too bad, we’ve lost touch because I think she changed her number (and my phone was stolen!). There was even a time I was desperately trying to reach her because the friend of a friend wanted her to perform (she was concert queen for a while, wasn’t she?) in a luxury liner. I asked the impresarios to give me a couple of days to work around that and I did, but they were in a rush and couldn’t wait and the ship went on to sail.

But the ship hasn’t sailed on Rosanna Roces yet, I believe. She may be big now, but her face has remained lovely. At least, she is still a pleasant sight to look at. And again, the important thing is that her acting talent has remained intact. I think she is an even better actress now. (With what she went through the past few years – she should be!) It’s just unfortunate that the entertainment industry isn’t doing very well at the moment and everyone is having a difficult time. But there is room for Rosanna Roces still – although she requires a bigger room this time given her physical size (just kidding, Osang!). And for sure, she still has room in my heart and I miss her terribly.

At the moment, I am very happy with my co-workers in Startalk and to this day I can’t believe my good fortune that I am finally co-hosting a program with the Joey de Leon, who has almost 40 glorious years of TV experience behind him.

Lorna Tolentino has also become one of my dearest friends (we call each other best friend) and I wasn’t surprised that we bonded quite well because we had known and liked each other for the longest time. She’s one of the most decent and sincere people in this profession and I care for her deeply.

Lolit Solis, of course, had always been very maternal toward me and I love her all the more for the fact that she had never taken it against me for coming to Osang’s defense when necessary.

But, of course, unless Lolit and Osang make peace between them, I don’t think Osang and I would still be able to work together in Startalk (that’s presuming Osang still wants to return to the show). But even if I don’t get to work with Osang anymore, I’m just happy to see her back and well and healthy (okay, she’s a tad bit too healthy). Sayang – the talent and I hate to see it go to waste.

Rosanna Roces may be overweight now, but – as that Rated K episode so appropriately proclaimed: Eh ano? With all those extra pounds, there’s more of her to love and appreciate.