CHERIE GIL is one of the judges in “Protege: the Battle for the Big Artista Break”. “I finally did it,” she told us at the press presentation of the 20 finalists. “I had my throat operation at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York for a condition of the vocal chords called Reike’s Edema, which I got from excessive use of them, lalo na pag pasigaw-sigaw ako in my villain roles. And also from smoking, so now tigil na ko diyan. I left in June and returned home just three days ago for ‘Protege’ and the Atlantis Productions musical, ‘Nine’, where I’ll play film producer, Liliane Lefleur, played by Dame Judy Dench in the film version with Antonio Banderas. I had to undergo post-op rehab and voice therapy For one month, I wasn’t allowed to talk. Tiniis ko talaga yun. Matagal na ito dapat ginawa but sunod-sunod ang shows ko sa GMA-7 kaya na-delay nang na-delay. Bale two months ako sa States and I stayed with my children. They said they love me more because I can’t talk. Pag-uwi ko rito, ulan naman ng ulan, ayan bumaha pa, nanibago ako sa change of weather and I hope it won’t affect my throat. I’ll be doing a lot of singing in ‘Nine’ so sana maging okay na okay na ang voice ko when we stage it in September.”
What advice would she give to the “Protege” contenders? “I’ve been in showbiz for 38 years now and my advice is for them to take good care of their mind and bodies as these are their primary instruments in our work. They need courage, devotion, determination and a lot of discipline to make it. I’m so glad I’m still in this journey after all these years.”
Cherie’s co-judges in “Protege” are Director Bert de Leon, Joey de Leon and GMA Films Pres. Anette Gozon-Abrogar. “I’m sure I’ll have a great time with all of them,” adds Cherie.
We’re just wondering: how come Cherie just went to the U.S. once and had her throat quickly fixed? How come Nora Aunor has been going back and forth to the U.S. several times now, allegedly for her throat to be operated on, but up to now, her throat has yet to be fixed? Her fans who’re hoping she’d soon have a big concert are now frustrated once again. Ano ba talaga?
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