With her strong acting chops, it’s hard to imagine Sylvia Sanchez as a struggling actress. But early in her acting career, Sylvia was just that. It took her three decades before she achieved fame.
The seasoned actress revealed she never had a smooth journey to stardom, especially because there were people who belittled her acting capability. However, she never allowed the harsh remarks to let her spirit down. Instead, it served as a challenge for her to prove her worth as an actress.
“Sometimes, I would hear them belittling me but I didn’t care, or they would look at me from head to foot na sobrang nakakapanliit. Then, they would say, ‘She doesn’t know how to act,’ within my hearing distance. Nandoon ako at hindi ko alam kung hindi nila ba ako nakita o sadyang pinarinig sa akin,” revealed Sylvia when she recently sat down for “The Talk” segment of “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda.”
No insult deterred her from working hard at her craft, instead, she told herself that one day, with the right project, they would see her.
True to her words, Sylvia has become one of the country’s top actresses with acting recognitions. She received her first acting award as Best Supporting Actress at the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in 1992. She was also named the Movie Actress of the Year at the 37th Star Awards for Movies for her performance in “Coming Home.”
Among showbiz personalities, Sylvia sees the kind hearts of Maricel Soriano and Janice de Belen. She recalled how she would skip classes in high school whenever Maricel starred in a movie “tapos nung artista na ako, nandito na s’ya sa harap ko, kaeksena ko na. Baguhan pa ako, wala akong stockings, wala akong costume na kailangan kasi wala pa akong perang pambili. Siya ‘yung nag-provide.”
Sylvia could never forget how the Diamond Star reminded her to save her earnings because not all the time, that there is money in showbiz. “We became friends from that time and until now, we stick together as friends. She knows that I am always here for her. Also, with Janice.”
Aside from her impressive acting, Sylvia is also known for being strong and courageous. She confessed that her father inspired her to prove her acting worth. She was only in Grade 5 when her father left them.
“’Di ba alam naman natin na inabandona kami ng tatay ko? Nagkaroon ako ng, ‘Papa, one day, sisikat ako. Hahangaan mo ko, papalakpakan mo ‘ko, Papa,’” recalled Sylvia who was aware that her dad, Roberto, is in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil but it was only recently when she got information of his exact location and address.
“I always say to my mother and siblings that it’s okay for me to work hard for the family because I’m the breadwinner. I’m thankful because I was able to give them all they needed, all the material things, except for becoming a father to them. The love of a father to his family, that’s what I couldn’t give.”
She, too, recalled thanking her father in her speech when she received her first acting award. “Noong natanggap ko ‘yung Best Supporting Actress award at Metro Manila Filmfest, doon ko siya napatawad. Biglang nawala ‘yung galit ko. Tapos, nanawagan pa nga ako noon, sabi ko gusto ko s’yang makita at mayakap. I don’t need any explanation why he left us, not even a sorry from him. Isang yakap lang ng tatay, but it never happened.”
Sylvia expressed her desire to go to Brazil to “have a closure. Dead or alive, I wanted to see him. If he’s dead, I wanna see and just say, ‘Bye, Papa and I love you and thank you. Dahil sa’yo naging inspirasyon kita, nagpursigi talaga ako.’”
At present, Sylvia is living a contented life with her family. Her husband Art Atayde and their children are her greatest treasures. Two of her children, Arjo and Ria, are happily married to their respective sweethearts. The former is a loving husband to Maine Mendoza, while the latter is the gorgeous wife of Zanjoe Marudo.
Curious minds can’t help but wonder how Sylvia is as a mother-in-law and the actress said that she had always known that she would be a good one because her in-laws shower her with nothing but kindness.
“’Yung ginawa nila sa akin, ng mga biyenan ko, ‘yun din ‘yung gusto kong ipakita sa daughter-in-law ko si Maine at kay Zanjoe, my son-in-law. I love them so much.”
Maine exchanged “I do’s” with Arjo in July 2023, while Zanjoe tied the knot with Ria on the day of her 32nd birthday last March 23.
Sylvia said once Maine comes home, she’s no longer the Maine Mendoza. “We all know how popular Maine is but when she’s home, her being Maine disappears. Normal at doon ko nakita kasi sinasabi nilang suplada, Kuya Boy, na-mi-misinterpret si Maine.”
She sees Maine as someone very shy, recalling that when Arjo first introduced her to the family, it took her 15 minutes to enter the house due to shyness and she didn’t know what to do “kaya ako na ang sumalubong, niyakap ko na at sobrang lamig (n’ya).”
As for Zanjoe, Sylvia said she had always liked him from the very start, “Iba kasi ‘yung babae sa lalaki. ‘Yung lalaki ‘yung nag-a-approach, ‘yung kukunin ka talaga. Mabait, Kuya Boy, nakakasama ko siya, nakakatrabaho (in acting projects).”
Sylvia is thankful for every blessing coming her way and that includes the opportunity to produce shows. In fact, she is the producer of JK Labajo’s first solo major concert happening on Nov. 29, 8 p.m. at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.
Although she is getting used to portraying her newfound role, Sylvia said she is still learning the ropes as a producer.
“Until now, I’m still (in the process of) learning. Even if I am into buying films abroad, even if I’m going to Cannes or Locarno to bring the film of Arjo or attend filmfests abroad, I am still learning, nag-aaral pa rin ako,” said Sylvia who established Nathan Studios with children Arjo and Ria.
“I can’t say that I am already an excellent producer. No, hindi pa ako magaling na producer. Nag-aaral ako araw-araw and I know one day, matututo ako.”
Life, as they say, is a marathon, not a sprint. What matters to Sylvia is the happiness she feels in everything she does.