Jaclyn Jose no plain Jane

MANILA, Philippines - It’s a clear day before her birthday (Oct. 21), and we hit the road on the way to a posh village somewhere south in Sta. Rosa, Laguna, where the celebrator rules the roost. Traffic is a breeze and, from the midday metro, the route is quite convenient to negotiate, until we come to a halt at the gated entrance. The guard is stern and his austere manner and language betray an order strictly followed to the letter.

The signs are obvious: This is a regulated and well-appointed community, where living is supposed to be safe and easy. And it, apparently, is.

The actress is still in the bathroom when the casually-dressed members of the household staff at the open front door usher us in. It’s almost lunch, and the house’s modest design is unfenced on both sides and the narrow front yard, facing a curved corner of the boundary road. In its minimalist Japanese-like motif, the three-storey, six-room, cement-and-wood abode fittingly reflects the natural and simple beauty of its owner.

But make no mistake about it — this one’s no plain Jane. When Mary Jane Guck (a.k.a. Jaclyn Jose) finally emerges, coming down the dark brown polished stairs in her sleek sleeveless black midi with a lacey white over blouse, the “master” of the house exudes a confidence that she has mustered through the years; her open face becomes her age and changing attitude.

Reminded by her manager of her “excess baggage,” the actress swiftly snaps in mixed Tagalog and English: “Don’t you worry, madali lang akong magbawas ng 15 pounds, in two weeks.” It only takes discipline and a diet of a glass of Milo and bread for breakfast, full lunch, and light, rice-less supper, she brags.

Both the manager and the photographer come, bearing gifts, especially homemade cakes/desserts from Makati and a silver-framed photographer of the actress accepting her very first FAMAS award. The latter aptly serves as the centerpiece, the shining accent in her gallery of memorabilia, framed or otherwise, and is mounted on a longish, slender rectangle table in her receiving area.

Unexpectedly, the same silver frame at the center matches the modern chandelier on the high ceiling, the tall corner lamp, the floor electric fans and some other decors made of glass and sterling stainless steel. Such is what happens when like minds meet and make for comfortable company.

The perfunctory introductions are waived for the other members of the household; we’ve met and instantly made it easy, bonding with Jake (Gwen Garimond Ilagan Guck, Jaclyn’s youngest son who turned 12 in June) and granddaughter Elle or Adrianna Gabrielle Guck, who’s turning two on Nov. 23. The daughter Andi or Andrea Nicole Guck is nowhere around, as she’s busy with her career even on a Sunday like this.

Baby Elle is an angel, really a joy to watch, even when she attempts to be irritated and cracks a soft cry; but only for a short while. Back to her usual spirits, the lively and lovable little miss stares and starts her childish routine in joyful bundles, regardless of who’s in sight.

We soon settle for a lunch of rice and pork sinigang, which is prepared by the host herself, and finish it with a glass of cold lemonade. The casual conversation continues, and Jaclyn’s comments and opinions are mostly off-the-record. But the juicy, inside information on various showbiz affairs could fill a page or two of legal paper.

We gorge on Jaclyn’s take on the classic carbonara for that obligatory natal-day noodles, while she prepares kebab and other meat dishes for the invited family guests’ night grill at the back of the house.

Then, GMA 7’s premier celebrity lifestyle show, Powerhouse (Tuesdays, 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.) come to document Jaclyn’s new residence (to be aired anytime soon). Five vans arrive, carrying crew and equipment, with reporter Kara David in a tentative mood at the outset.

But as the interviewer begins to warm up, and with the early Christmas spirit already in the air, the actress gamely plays the moment to the hilt. And then, the winds of change begin to blow.

Recently, Jaclyn and her manager have signed an exclusive contract with GMA 7. The agreement guarantees the actress a regular paycheck, within the same prescribed period. Her last drama series, Mundo Mo’y Akin, ended in September, and she has yet to start another any day now.

In fact, she sounded “complaining” when she told her manager that this was her longest “vacation” in her TV career. It’s been almost two months and all she’s been doing is guesting on different TV shows, namely, Sunday All Stars (as judge and award presentor), Tunay na Buhay, Daddy Kong Vampira, The Ryzza Mae Show, One Day, Isang Araw and Magpakailanman.

Since the early ’90s, Jaclyn has constantly appeared in various TV shows, negotiating several channels, starting with the Maynila anthology, directed by the late Ishmael Bernal on Channel 9.

But her drama series ’ command performance began when she played Martha on ABS-CBN’s Mula sa Puso, directed by Wenn Deramas and the late Khryss Adalia, and for which she won Best Actress in the Asian Television Awards Singapore in 1999. She followed it with the role of Elena in Labs Ko si Babes, directed by Jerry Sineneng and John Lazatin, also for ABS-CBN 2.

For GMA 7, Jaclyn portrayed Mariana in Sana ay Ikaw na Nga. She stayed with the same EDSA station as Carol in Te Amo, under the direction of Adalia and Lore Reyes.

Back to ABS-CBN 2, Jaclyn essayed the character Helen in SCQ Reload, directed by Lauren Dyogi. Then, on to Ikaw ang Lahat sa Akin, Sa Piling Ko, May Minamahal, Prinsesa ng Banyera and Dyosa, all for ABS-CBN.

She returned to GMA 7 for Zorro, but was taken again by ABS-CBN for three more series — Kung Tayo’y Magkakalayo, Sabel and Reputasyon.

The actress took a break, and changed channels to TV5 for the remake of Valiente. Back again to ABS-CBN, she figured prominently in Kapag Puso’y Masugatan.

By March this year, Jaclyn was seen on GMA 7 for Mundo Mo’y Akin, directed by Andoy Ranay. It was for her performance as the scheming Doña Charito that Jaclyn reigned supreme, as she elevated the said character to the pantheon of Philippine TV roles.

While we’re at it, it must be noted that in 1997, Jaclyn was first chosen as Best Supporting Actress in the Asian Television Awards Singapore for her performance on GMA 7’s Kamada.

And for her body of work on television, she was awarded the Gawad CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) in 1991.

Nowadays, certain projects with GMA 7 are in the works to make sure that Jaclyn’s TV career continues, even as her distinguished film career remains active on the side. And when cinema calls, we know it’s serious screening time once more for her, and for all.