Lolo Albert talks about his new ‘award’

As he is turning 57 on April 19, Funfare asked Albert Martinez how he would assess his life (and career).

“It’s boring!”

Yes, indeed, very “boring.” In his almost four decades in showbiz, Albert has never been enmeshed in unsavory rumors (and if ever he was, he opts to keep his quiet and maintain his dignity), he hasn’t been the subject of blind items, he steers clear of controversy and keeps mum (mocking ignorance?) when asked about issues involving his co-stars (such as the alleged recent clash between an actor and an actress on the set of the Kapamilya soap The Good Son in which Albert played the murdered father of Joshua Garcia, Nash Aguas and Jerome Ponce) and, to borrow a line from a song, “he’s a well-respected man about town, doing the best things so conservatively.” 

How “boring,” isn’t it?

Among the “best things” that Albert does “so conservatively” is being a good husband to Liezl whose demise left Albert in dark despair (he continues to grieve up to now), being a good father to their children Alyanna, Alfonso and Alissa, and being a good actor who has beautifully transitioned from a matinee idol (starting as a Regal Baby in 1980) to a versatile one (he is very good even when he’s “very bad” — playing kontrabida, that is).

Besides his three accomplished children, Albert is proud of his achievement as an actor, having tucked up 32 performances in TV series and 31 movies, with eight awards to show for it (including as Best Director for Rosario in the 2011 FAMAS). His newest “award” is a two-month-old pretty baby, Adalynn Riley, his first apo courtesy of Alyanna (an American citizen, having been born there) and husband (photographer) Roy Macam who are based in California.

Lolo Albert should be in the States by now (with Alissa and Alfonso), relishing being a grandfather to the hilt. Before he left three weeks ago (after finishing his scenes in Bagani, a Kapamilya adventure series), Albert sat down for a free-wheeling interview with Funfare. (As 4x4 Expedition Philippine ambassador, Albert also unveiled the adventure race dubbed as the “Overland, Oversea Adventure” to help the country’s conservation and preservation of natural resources. The trip will start on May 14 from a take-off point in Northern Luzon and end on May 24 in Surigao City.)  

Excerpts: 

How does it feel to be a first-time granddad?

“Ang sarap! I’m so excited about holding my first apo who will be three-months old on May 18. More reason for me to work harder kasi parang nagkaroon ka ng extension of life and happiness.”

What’s the difference between being a father and being a grandfather?

“There’s a big difference. Being a father, you have to worry about disciplining the kids and their future. Being a grandfather, you just enjoy cuddling your apo, play with her the whole day and when night comes, you hand her back to her parents. ‘O, sa inyo na!’ Hehehe!!!”

During your vacation in California, you will be the baby’s nanny, right?

“I will be there for one month and a half and I’m ready for the task. I’m an expert in changing diapers and preparing the feeding bottles, after all I did that to my three kids. I can do it with my eyes closed. Alyanna is on maternal leave and she’s breast-feeding.”

‘Being a grandfather is different from being a father,’ says Albert (above, with Alyanna and Adalynn Riley

You’ve been a widower for three years now. While in the US, you might bump into somebody who could rekindle your…well, you know!

“Honestly, I’m not looking for it. If it comes, God-given, why not? Right now, it’s not part of my consciousness — you know, having someone in my life. I’m pre-occupied with my children and, now, my apo.”

You are still in the grieving period…

“But it helps that I’m busy. Three weeks after Liezl left, ABS-CBN offered me a soap, All Of Me. That was a blessing. Even before I was done with All Of Me, they got me for Ang Probinsyano. Nag-overlap. Wala akong moment na malungkot, o mag-mourn. Nalibang ako sa work. I’ve been busy up to now. The ‘suffering part’ was lessened. But I tell you, I still cry at night. There are just too many beautiful memories. I just can’t just throw them away. We would have been married for 30 years and that’s a long time.”

How do you cope with, uhm, lonely nights?

“I’m too tired. By the time I get home, tulog na. The next day, back to work.”

Your two other children are of marrying age na. Soon, they’d get married and live away from you.

“I’ve been ready for that. I’ve been preparing for that emotionally. At the moment, it’s Alissa who is living with me. She has her own business and a boyfriend (of five years). Alfonso is taking care of his Lola (Amalia Fuentes who is recovering from a stroke two years ago).”

Is it true that Sharon (Cuneta) was your first  (showbiz) girlfriend?

“I met her in (German Moreno’s) GMA Supershow. That was the time of her song Mr. DJ. We were offered to do the movie Dear Heart, kaya lang hindi ako pinayagan ni Mother (Lily) who gave me Bata Pa Si Sabel with Snooky (Serna). Gabby (Concepcion) became Sharon’s leading man in Dear Heart, their first movie together. Well, Sharon became Gabby’s girlfriend and Snooky became my girlfriend. Nagka-palit kami.”

Having dinner in LA with Alyanna and husband Roy Macam, daughter Alissa and son Alfonso). ‘I am so excited taking care of my apo. I am an expert in changing diapers and preparing feeding bottles, after all I did that to my children.’

Ikaw ba ang first kiss ni Sharon?

“Ask her, hehehe! The thing between Sharon and me was more like puppy love. We were young then. It lasted for only one year. My two serious relationships were really with Snooky and Liezl.”

Like Sharon and Gabby, you are a durable actor; you have outlived your contemporaries. 

“As you grow older in this business, the offers come few and far between. You don’t want naman to beg for projects, di ba? Fortunately, it didn’t happen to me. Part of my strategy to create a new image was that I allowed myself to age. You don’t compete with younger actors. In this industry, positioning is the key. May kanya-kanyang level ‘yan. Kanya-kanyang time ‘yan.”

Most actors retire upon reaching your age.

“There’s no such thing as retirement in this industry. Tito Eddie (Garcia) has been telling me that. ‘You will miss it,’ he said. “I don’t think you will ever retire. Look at me.’ You retire and what will happen? You will be depressed. I love what I am doing, I enjoy shooting and taping. It has been my life and I enjoy it.” 

Standard question: what do you consider your three most memorable performances that the public will remember you for?

“There are actually too many to mention just three. Number one is Rizal sa Dapitan (directed by Tikoy Aguiluz). Sidhi (with Nora Aunor) is one of them and Muling Umawit ang Puso (also with Nora). Both were directed by Joel Lamangan. Segurista (Tikoy Aguiluz). It was my first time to play that kind of character so na-shocked ang lahat. Pusong Mamon (Joel Lamangan, replaced by Eric Quizon when he got sick), Scorpio Nights and, of course, Magnifico (Maryo J. delos Reyes). Kinilabutan ako when I read the script of Magnifico. I still cry when I watch it now.”

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