Roxanne at home in new role

MANILA, Philippines - Roxanne Guinoo is at home in her character named Dulce Caharian on GMA 7’s Home Sweet Home. Roxanne and Dulce are both doting young moms, except that the former has two kids while the latter has three. Being Dulce is almost like second skin to her. “I can relate to her,” Roxanne says. “It’s easy for me to do.”

This art-imitating-life role is perfect for someone who’s making a showbiz comeback after a three-year respite. 

“I’m adjusting,” replies Roxanne when asked how she juggles her showbiz commitments and home duties. “I was away from showbiz for more than three years. My first kid is two and a half years old. My second is four months old. I missed doing showbiz then.” According to Roxanne, it’s different when one is doing something else aside from attending to the needs of one’s loved ones and managing the household.

Before she gave her manager the go-signal, Roxanne had to ask herself “if I could return to showbiz and if I could balance work and home.” And the answer was a resounding yes. It is so far, so good. Roxanne reports on the set three times a week and only stays at home during non-taping days.

“I just focused on my kids,” recalls Roxanne the first two years of motherhood. “Gusto ko silang subaybayan. I don’t want them to grow up only with the (yayas). I enjoy the time spent with them. I enjoy taking care of them.”

Acting, however, is one thing “I want to do for myself,” shares Roxanne. That’s why when the opportunity came, she couldn’t contain the excitement to face the camera again but had to inform her husband about it. 

“My husband trusts me,” Roxanne says. “We always talk about things (like plans) and decisions to be changed… We would always talk and meet half way — finding out if it’s all right with me or if it’s all right with him.” This is how open lines of communication are between the couple for they do not want things to get in the way, especially in their young married life. “We’re still in the adjustment stage,” says Roxanne, a hands-on wife who prepares what her husband will wear in this day or that day, among other things. “We have many things to do or to accomplish for ourselves.”

With her present plight, Roxanne can attest to the sacrifices that working moms like her make each day.

“Lack of sleep because of babysitting the kids is different from lack of sleep due to work,” she says. “When I arrive home from taping, I have other duties to do before going to bed. It’s tough. And I’m decided to do breastfeeding.”

Although Home Sweet Home is her first Kapuso project, Roxanne has gotten along easily with everyone on the set from stars to staff. “Everyone’s happy. Magaan silang ka-trabaho. You don’t get stressed and you don’t get nervous. Everyone is sweet.” Thus, Roxanne is spared from experiencing first-time jitters and remains a reliable star. “There are times that I feel the need to do the scene again because I’m not satisfied,” she says.

Meantime, let Roxanne get settled first and enjoy her second chance in showbiz.              

(Home Sweet Home airs weekdays before 24 Oras.)