Kim never had it so good

MANILA, Philippines - You can’t blame Kim Rodriguez if there are days when she gets confused with the characters assigned to her. You see, even if her first lead role project, the GMA 7 afternoon drama series Kakambal ni Eliana, has few more days before its final episode on Aug. 23, she has to fit in her timetable two indie projects — Ano Ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap? and Chasing Boulevards — and, therefore, must bring to life the characters Teresa and Kim, respectively, onscreen.

“I have started working for both indies that’s why sometimes I have to think first which character I’m about to portray on this and that day,” says Kim during the recent pocket interview.

But she’s not complaining. Kim knows that not many actors get to work on one project after the other. Thanks, to Kakambal ni Eliana, which consistently enjoys the top spot of the ratings game, for serving as an avenue to prove her acting worth.

Based on overnight household ratings data recorded in National Urban Phils. for April 15 to July 31, Kakambal ni Eliana scored an average household rating of 11.2 percent while in Urban Luzon and Mega Manila, it scored 12.7 percent and 13.3 percent, respectively.

“I promised myself to do much better on my next TV project if ever kasi nakaka-pressure din yung mataas na ratings kaya dapat sa susunod ganun din.”

Now that Kakambal ni Eliana is nearing its end, having had its last taping day last week, Kim is certain that she will miss her co-stars in the drama series. She has become close to all of them. “Si Kristoffer s’ya yung nakaka-bond ko because we’re always together in many scenes.” But this is not to say that their closeness can go beyond friendship. Kim knows that Kristoffer is romantically involved with another Kapuso young star Joyce Ching. If you’re reading the showbiz news lately, you indubitably know that Kim is dating Kiko Estrada, her co-star in Chasing Boulevards. The former Kapuso talent tirelessly picks and sends Kim to her condo unit or hatid-sundo, in the vernacular.

Through the show, Kim has also learned how to deal with snakes while playing Eliana who has a Mexican Black King Snake as twin sibling. She admits that she had a hard time pulling a scene while holding a snake during the first few parts of the soap. But a workshop with a snake and 10 minutes per take of holding it close to her eventually wiped away her fear.

“I’m already used to snakes and I’m not afraid anymore,” says Kim. “Sabi nga nila ‘pag nakakita ako ng ahas baka bigla ko na lang damputin (laughs).  Naisip ko na rin na mag-karoon ng pet snake. My Tito had one before.”

Kim, too, shares a little trivia about snakes. “Malansa ang ahas ’pag nagbabalat sila and they don’t like the smell of lotion or perfume; anything scented ayaw nila. And it should not eat before a take, di kasi pwede hawakan pag busog baka ilabas yung kinain.”

And though Kim has become more comfortable acting out a scene with the shiny black creature, she has to bid her “twin co-star” goodbye.  

But Kim is not seeing herself to star in another soap soon. She will, for the meantime, be appearing as guest in the different Kapuso shows like Magpakailanman and Wagas.

“I will concentrate on movies; in indie. But if they (GMA) will offer a new show to me, then why not po? I’m ready for more work. But since I have two indie projects now dito po muna ako.”

Indie is no longer a new territory for Kim having starred in Mga Mumunting Lihim and Oros before. Director Joey Reyes has included her in the cast of Pangarap, an entry to the Sineng Pambansa slated in September. Chasing Boulevards, on the other hand, is her fourth indie project.

“I play Teresa in Pangarap whose personality is my total opposite,” Kim shares. “Teresa is simple and quiet while me, I am so jolly.”

And Kim has to play snooty in Chasing Boulevards. “Kim din ang name ng character but we’re opposites, too. So, I always make it a point to remind myself that I have to be like this before each take, baka kasi mag-kapalit yung karakter ng dalawang sabay na indie na ginagawa ko. ”

And what does she miss most now that she’s well into showbiz?

“The bonding (moments) with my family. We seldom go out because I’m busy with work. Also, I miss my friends.”