“Direk Joven was the one who encouraged me to go into writing,” she says. “First, gumawa ako ng books for children for which I even got a letter of thanks from Pope Francis. After that, with him egging me on, I wrote my first romantic novel titled ‘Wanna Bet on Love’. Kaya kapag siya ang may iniaalok na project sa akin, tinatanggap ko agad. And I’m happy to do a film like ‘Tatlong Bibe’ that conveys positive messages and good values about faith, hope and love to moviegoers.”
Doesn’t she mind playing the role of a mean woman who’s cruel to defenseless children? “Maski naman sa TV, nagkokontrabida ako and people know that I’m just playing a role. Dito sa ‘Tatlong Bibe’, kamag-anak ko ang ina ni Marco, si Angel Aquino, at iiwanan niya sa’king pangangalaga ang bata na may alagang tatlong bibe, sina Jackson Bibe, Julius Bibe at Justin Bibe. The boy has a positive outlook in life. Kahit pinagmamalupitan ko siya, patuloy siyang nagbibigay ng inspiration sa mga taong nangangailangan in our community. The movie will show little miracles happening in the lives of the characters and will help renew the faith of viewers in God.”
Rita says that she and her husband, Direk FM Reyes, almost adopted a baby last year. “Muntik na talaga kaming mag-adopt pero nung excited na kami waiting for the baby, sabi ng kausap namin, nagbago raw ang isip ng mother at binawi yung baby. So sabi namin, hindi siguro talaga itinakda ng Diyos na sa amin mapunta yun. E, ako, I don’t really plan that much. Kapag dumating yan, bigay talaga ng Diyos. As of now, I just go to some institutions involving kids at tumutulong ako sa pag-aalaga sa mga bata roon.”
