MYLENE DIZON is currently on lock in taping with the rest of the cast of “Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit” at a resort in San Mateo. They were there at the height of storm Rolly and taping was packed up for that day.
“Rest muna kami dahil sa sama ng panahon,” she says. “We’re in a mountainous area at malakas ang hangin.”
But it was nice working again with co-stars Nora Aunor, Kyline Alcantarara, Zoren Legaspi, Gabby Eigenmann and Yasser Marta, along with Director Laurice Guillen.
“Mahigit kalahating taon din kaming nag-rest dahil sa lockdown,” she says. “So it’s really nice to be back to work with them and taping together again. Nakaka-miss din umacting, e.”
So what has she been doing during the lockdown?
“Well, common knowledge that I stay in my place in Silang, Cavite where I have a small lot and I grow my own organic vegetables. Noong pumutok ang Taal Volcano in January, natabunan sila ng one inch of ashfall, so nilinis ko munang lahat and nag-plant uli ako ng lettuce, mustard, okra, talong, at iba pang gulay and herbs.
"Very fulfilling sa akin to know na I can produce food for my own family na galing sa lupa ko. I’m hoping I’ll inspire other people to do the same, plant their own veggies lalo na ngayong naka-quarantine pa rin tayo. That’s food security at nakakatuwa to harvest kung ano yung mga itinanim mo.”
She now has more respect for farmers.
“Maaga ako gumigising to check my plants kasi may mga pesteng uod na kumakain sa dahon at isa-isa mong papatayin yon.
"Ayoko kasi gumamit ng pesticides at gusto ko, organic lahat ng tanim ko kaya kailangang alam mo rin kung anu-anong vegetables ang bagay na itabi sa bawat isa, kasi some pests that eat some veggies, ayaw naman nila doon sa ibang veggies.”
Will she eventually sell her produce and turn it into a business?
“Sana. I’d love to try that, tingnan natin. Pero pinag-aaralan ko pa. E, ngayon, nagte-taping na uli ako, lock in pa, so iba munang nag-aalaga sa mga tanim ko.”
So how’s her partner Jason Webb and her two sons?
“Ayun, naiwan muna sila. Mama has to work, e. Ang tagal din naman naming magkakasama na kami-kami lang, so let's miss each other muna. There was a time nga na dahil walang barbero, ako pa ang gumugupit sa buhok nila.
"They helped me prepare my baons for the taping. Ang dami-dami kong baong food, e. Unang-una, vegetarian kasi ako. I don’t eat meat, so I brought my own food para sigurado.
"So far, masaya naman, working with sina Ate Guy, Kyline and all the rest. Hopefully, matapos namin lahat ng episodes na aming dapat tapusin for the benefit of the viewers of ‘Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit’ na noon pa nagtatanong kung kailan nila malalaman kung ano na ang nangyari sa characters that Ate Guy, Kyline and I play in the story.”
