"I think I’m misunderstood by a lot of people, they say I’m mataray, maingay, but then I’m just upfront and frank. Sometimes too frank for some people’s comfort. It’s frustrating but what can I do? I’d rather be true to myself and to other people. As long as you don’t hurt other people, I think you’re ok," she shares.
"I remember when I was a kid, I was being teased in school for being different. I think I came to a point that I became tired of being teased and bullied around so I fought back. But never, ever, did I start a fight. Up until now, I never started trouble. I was the middle child and I think I suffered from the ‘middle child syndrome’," she laughs. "But I know, ever since I was a kid, that I’d do a lot of stuff on my own."
Not that she has been doing any hanky-panky or had been a tabloid fodder. Sure, she’s had her share of nasty intrigues, but she does not mind. "I’ve been accused of being a drug addict, that’s the worst, but I leave it up to Him as to what to do with him," she says, referring to the writer and his publication, "but I haven’t done it and am not planning to do it," she reveals.
Nor has she been typecast as a villainess in the celluloid world. On the contrary, she has starred in some of the most remarkable films of late and has been more than once been cited as one of the best actresses of her generation. At 16, she won a Famas Best Supporting Actress for Azucena. Two years later she won for her supporting role in Hubog, megged by Joel Lamangan. She has played a variety of roles already, from teenager, to a retard, to a teacher.
"I thought I can’t pull it off," she exclaims, on her take as a teacher in Munting Tinig. "But Direk Gil Portes said the whole movie is a gamble anyway, so luckily we were able to pull it off." To pull it off was an understatement. The film is now making its rounds at film fests overseas. It recently won best picture in one of the country’s award-winning bodies. And as if things couldn’t get any better, Hollywood took notice and Miramax offered her a pivotal role in Fertig starring Brad Pitt. "Nakita nila ako doon sa Munting Tinig and sabi nila gusto nila akong mag-portray ng 30-year old woman. Imagine a 30-year old woman! So anyway, sabi nila gusto nila ako makita. Ayun nung makita nila ako mukha daw akong 14. So wait daw muna ng one year, to see if something horrible happens to my face," she laughs.
But surprisingly, she isn’t too hot on Hollywood. "I’m incredibly shy and conscious during auditions, which is the routine in most American and other foreign productions. "Yes, makapal ang mukha ko, pero, kapag ganito lang konti lang tayo," Alessandra announces. On her winning the awards, she shrugs, "It’s fun, I like it and it’s an edge that at my age, I was able to win these awards, but it’s just for a night. The next day, life goes on."
Although she does not plan to stay long in the business, she admits that she hasn’t reached her peak yet. "Matagal pa ‘yun!," she exclaims. But she has other plans for herself. "Five years more maybe. Hopefully I can be a model, perhaps, a photographer." The dreamer resurfaces. "I love children. Maybe I will go back to my childhood dream, to be a pre-school teacher. Maybe I’ll have my own pre-school."
Would she recommend her job to young girls like her? "It’s hard, but it’s fun. It’s good money," Alex closes with her signature humor.