This is obviously based on an urban legend about the daughter of a rich tycoon with a snake twin who lives in a mall, said to be Robinson’s, which Erich is now endorsing. For her snake role, Erich has to put on prosthetic make up.
“Malaking dusa kasi isa-isang dinidikit ang mga kaliskis ng ahas sa balat ko. It takes about three hours to put it on at ganun din kapag tinatanggal na. Mainit, masakit at nag-react ang balat ko with rashes. But when I saw it on screen, it’s all worth it. I assure the audience na sa hitsura ko pa lang, matatakot na sila. Challenging ang two roles ko kasi magkaiba ang ugali ng twin sisters. Yung isa, sobrang na-in love kay JC De Vera at dito magkakaroon ng big conflict in the story.”
Is she afraid of snakes? “Not really, nakahawak na ako ng ahas.” What kind of snake is she in the movie: rattle, anaconda, cobra? “Sariling ahas ng Regal: Monster ahas!”
In local parlance, the snake has another meaning connoting betrayal. “Yes, nang-aahas, like my character Janine in ‘Two Wives’, naahas si Jason Abalos from Kaye Abad. But in real life, hindi ako ganoon, ha. Hindi ko pa naranasang maahasan o mang-ahas.”
“Ahas” is directed by Dondon Santos. “We’ve worked before nang nasa ABS pa siya in the movie ‘Noy’ with Coco Martin and in the teleserye ‘Tiagong Akyat’ with Gerald Anderson.”
It’s common knowledge she has a rich BF who’s the scion of a family that owns malls. It’s good he still allows her to continue working. “Very understanding siya. Bihira nga kami magkita as I’m so busy sa TV and movies. Sometimes, he’d bring me food sa set then aalis na. Magkasosyo kami sa aming resto, The Breakfast Club, which has branches in Pioneer Mandaluyong and in Sto. Domingo QC. We’re opening another fine dining resto at the end of November.”
Do we hear wedding bells soon? “No plans yet na bumuo ng family. I want to do more movies and teleseryes. Ine-enjoy ko pa ang career ko.”
