So what if Dexter is the last choice!

MANILA, Philippines — After doing over a hundred films in her 40-year-old acting career, Dexter Doria has finally clinched a lead role in Paki, the Best Picture of Cinema One Originals 2017, and she’s not bothered about being the last choice to portray the character of a married senior citizen, who wants to separate from her husband of 60 years.

“It happens all the time in showbiz. What’s important is I am the best choice, the final choice,” said the veteran actress during the press conference to drumbeat Paki, which is one of the six award-winning indies to be showcased under the Special Features Section of the week-long Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino (PPP) starting today until Aug. 21.  

Still, curious minds were wondering how she landed the role. It was director Gian Abrahan who said that he was considering someone who could make the character easy to fall in love with but at the same time will let the audience see her annoying side. “I wanted a comedic actress do a dramatic role. I was thinking of characters I see on TV na naiinis ako at natatawa ako so I really had a hard time on (deciding) who to consider for the role, especially sa kanya iikot ang istorya.”

Nova Villa was initially eyed for the role but graciously begged off since she is tied down with two shows. Director Laurice Guillen was also considered but she couldn’t leave her three-times-a-week directorial chores for a network.   

With (from left) director Giancarlo Abrahan, co-star Dravin Angeles and Cinema One head Ronald Arguelles

“I was very happy to have cast Dexter because during our first meeting, I really felt she fits the role, may pagka-taray kasi s’ya and her face, it makes you love her. She is someone na may tatak na nakakatakot yet you will easily fall in love with,” direk Gian added.  

Dexter, on the other hand, didn’t expect to be playing the central character given her age. She is used to playing supporting roles on the big and small screens that she would often tease her friends not to go to the restroom or else they might miss seeing her pitting acting talent against the lead stars.

“I don’t mind doing supporting roles since I’m already happy with the fact that I am an actress,” said Dexter. “I was able to raise my kids with my career, ito ang nagpakain sa mga anak ko. That’s why it didn’t anymore cross my mind to become a bida, but here I am now.”

She instantly felt butterflies in her stomach the moment she was offered the role but she knew she wanted to do it. “I got scared because I didn’t know what I was going to do since it was something new to me. It’s different from what I usually do — (playing) contravida — which I can do with my eyes closed. So, I had to ask for two special meetings with the director and I asked him what to do. He was confident that I could do it but, of course, I still had my insecurities.”

In Paki, Dexter is 80-year-old Alejandra who decides to leave her husband of 60 years (played by Noel Trinidad), much to the objection of their children.

For this film, Dexter said she had a different acting approach. She acted out her parts “as natural as possible.”

“I decided on doing that way because I felt I needed to show something unusual that people would say, ‘Uy, iba s’ya dito, hindi nanlilisik yung mata.’ Here, I’m controlled but there’s a bit of craziness to (spice things up) kasi ayoko ng boring. Nahuli man ako maging lead actress, nauna naman ako sa ganito in acting without heavy drama. Natural lang ako because I was not afraid. I didn’t want to be a star, I just wanted to do my thing and this is the attack that I wanted to do. I always feel that lead actresses go through formula drama so it’s about time to show the audience something new, especially a different Dexter.”

Asked if she feels Paki will bring her more protagonist roles in the future, Dexter replied, “It’s extremely harder to tell because of my age. Had it happened 30 years ago, well, it’s easy to assume but now it’s tough to become bida, especially I am a woman. Unlike for men, say for example in Hollywood, the likes of Liam Neeson seem fine (and) still appear in lead roles but for a woman like me, I need to be sexy (laughs).”

(PPP’s Special Features Section will be screened at SM North Edsa, SM Megamall, SM Mall of Asia, SM Manila, SM Fairview, SM Sta. Mesa, Gateway Cineplex and Robinsons Galleria.)