Rachel Alejandro back in the US to do film, shows

Rachel Alejandro has joined the cast of the American murder mystery movie Sinister Cover-up.

Playing the role of a defense lawyer, the singer-actress recently filmed her scenes in Boston. “My role, it’s not the bida, but maganda yung role, it’s pivotal. And I’m so happy because this is my first time doing something like this. I’m super excited,” she told The STAR in a recent one-on-one interview.

Rachel, who currently stars in the popular ABS-CBN drama The Broken Marriage Vow, landed the part on her own and without an agent. Sinister Cover-up is made for US cable television.

Rachel lands the role of a defense lawyer in the American murder mystery movie Sinister Cover-up.

She shared, “Hindi nila ako kilala dito, nobody knows me at all. Ang maganda na nakita nila, I have a very extensive resume. Of course, puro from the Philippines, di ba kasi first time ko nakakuha ng role for a US-based project.

“But yes, I had to audition. Basically, I applied when the casting call came out. They gave me a scene from the film to memorize and shoot. And ang asawa ko ang kasama ko nagbabasa nung part ng ka-eksena. He’s off camera pero nakakatawa siya because ‘pag babae yung character na binabasa niya, babae din yung boses niya. Hahaha! I wanted to tell him, ‘Hon, you don’t have to do it that way, you can just read the lines.’ Hahaha! Ang saya kasi bigay na bigay siya.”

Rachel is also happy that she’s getting jobs in the US. She found herself an agent as well. “I’m glad kahit papaano nag-uumpisa na rin ako like tomorrow I’m shooting a commercial here for a health supplement. So, little jobs, mga ganun. Kasi up until a few days ago, wala naman akong agent dito. So, sariling sikap ng paghahanap. You know, what jobs are available?”

The singer-actress enjoys the view with husband Carlos Santamaria during her birthday trip to Mexico. They’re celebrating 11 years of marriage this April

She readily admitted that finding projects has been challenging because “here in the US, statistics show that only two percent of actors are given work at any given time. That’s very low. Meaning, two percent are working and the rest are applying.”

“A lot of people advised me that cold submissions don’t work, that you need a recommendation from a friend. I also tried that. What I learned is kapalan mo lang talaga yung face mo and I’m shy, though maybe it doesn’t seem that way… But I’m so nahihiya to ask favors but that’s how it works here,” said Rachel, adding that she’s grateful for the advice and help from the Filipino community.

Obviously, she doesn’t mind if working in the US feels like starting from scratch. “I just love to work, I love to sing, it doesn’t matter sa akin kung saan eh.” And given the reception to The Broken Marriage Vow, she’s also open to take on more teleserye acting, lock-in taping and all.

“Meantime, apply-apply (here). Madali lang now because it’s all online. Makikita mo na kaagad anong mga roles ang pumapasok. More and more (I’ve noticed) ang dami na ngayon looking for any ethnic appearance,” she said.

In fact, her Sinister Cover-up role is identified as Asian and has a very Pinay name. “One thing that the character has to have… she’s a very genuine person who really wants to help. She’s a good person. Someone who cares about her job a lot and helping others. So let’s see how we can make that interesting.”

Meanwhile, Rachel is ready to resume live performing in the US. She has some shows coming up, including May 6 in Jacksonville (C&C Events Hall, 6 p.m.) and May 7 in Tampa, Florida (The Cuban Club, 6 p.m.). Some of the concert proceeds will go to Typhoon Odette victims. For inquiries, contact 818-2014248.

There are also offers for her to do concerts with her father, Hajji Alejandro, who is also staging a series of performances in the US with the Hitmakers.

The STAR asked Rachel when she decided to actively pursue work opportunities in the US. She said she actually got her US Green Card almost 20 years ago, and has since been in and out of the US.

“In the beginning kasi, to be honest, what I was really hoping to happen was to cross over as a recording artist. But there was a whole series of, I guess, hindi tama yung mga nakilala ko na tao at that time, that I trusted, etc., etc., so that didn’t turn out well. Siempre balik Pinas and I just basically put all my energy into building my career (in the country). Years and years later, my husband wanted to move to New York and look for a job and try it again here,” she shared.

Rachel is married to Spanish journalist Carlos Santamaria.

“When we first got married actually, we moved here na eh for a little less than a year. He had a job then but it didn’t work out and balik ulit kami sa Philippines for six years. And then nag-decide siya na gusto niya subukan ulit. He found a job here a few years ago and that’s the reason why I’m here — because of him.”

In April, they are going to celebrate 11 years of marriage. And for the actress, who stars in the hottest infidelity-themed teleserye right now, her relationship with her husband is fortunately going stronger than ever.

Asked to reflect on how she and her husband keep their marriage together, Rachel gave a lengthy and thoughtful answer.

She said, “Appreciation, I think, is the main thing. Sabi nga nila, ang babae daw, the way that we choose our partners kelangan daw, we’re impressed with them, we admire them. Sa lalake di ganun eh. They don’t care kung ano career mo. My husband Carlos, he, of course, says I’m a good singer, a good actress, but I think even without those things… hindi importante sa kanila ang mga yun, hindi ka naman mamahalin kasi isa kang magaling na… or maganda, sexy or talented ka, it’s more about how you make them feel.

“That’s what people say and one of the things that I always try to remember to do — to show him my appreciation. I always make him feel that he’s doing a good job as a husband and in his work. I make him feel good about himself. And he appreciates me also. Sometimes, I ask him, bakit mo ba ako mahal? Because we have very little in common. My gosh, talagang halos wala! But how it’s working… like yung anniversary namin, nag-iisip na siya kung ano ang pwede gawin namin, like maybe a trip, kasi gusto lang daw niya nakikita yung giddy ako, kinikilig ako, natutuwa ako because I’m in a new place.

“So, I guess that’s what works — when you think about the other person and not so much about parang ito ang dapat or ganito (in a relationship). There are so many things about our situation na di talaga madali. Like, for instance, when I’m here it’s difficult for me to work because my work is mainly in the Philippines. It’s been a struggle but dahil nakikita ko na masaya siya dito, masaya siya sa work niya, of course, support. Make each other and think of how to make the other person happy.

“It’s not perfect obviously. There are times gusto ko rin sya patayin, hahaha!... But he makes me feel that na-appreciate niya rin talaga ako. Ang ano nga eh… the few times nakakasama ko yung co-workers niya, even yung from mga dati niyang work, kunwari nagkita kami by chance, like hello, kumusta na, how’s Carlos, blah blah, blah. Tapos biglang sasabihin nila, no fail yun, ‘I just want to tell you that alam mo ba na sobrang mahal ka nun? He talks about nothing else but you? At ako naman (flips hair). Hahaha! But that’s what I also feel from him. I feel appreciated and seen.”