IZA CALZADO was one of the first victims of Covid 19 from showbiz, but she was able to bounce back quickly and even shared her blood plasma to heal other corona patients.
“Yes, I survived the virus and for that, I am truly grateful,” she says. “I realized ang daming nagmamahal sa akin sa dami ng messages na natanggap ko from so many people praying for me to get well soon.”
Despite what happened, she has been so productive this year. She’s in a much talked about soap, “Ang Sa Iyo ay Sa Akin”, where she plays Ellice, and she also stars in an iWant May-December seven-episode romantic series with Jameson Blake, “Loving Emily”, where she plays the title role no less.
She is also scheduled to make a romcom mini-series for WeTV with Ian Veneracion titled “B&B: The Battle of Brody and Brandy”.
And yes, she has an entry in the coming Metro-Manila Filmfest that starts streaming online on Christmas Day, “Tagpuan”, where she figures in a love triangle romantic drama with Alfred Vargas, who also produced the movie, and Shaina Magdayao. \
You can access "Tagpuan" online via Upstream.ph for only P250 and your whole family can watch it together.
“Yes, I’m so blessed,” says Iza. “Maraming walang trabaho this year, but I was never idle and I have to thank God for that. This movie with Alfred is something I’m really proud of. It was written by Ricky Lee and directed by Mac Alejandre. A lot of people will be able to relate with it as it’s about relationships.”
What’s her role? “I play Agnes, the wife of Alfred who plays Allan. When the film starts, we’ve been separated for five years. After we broke up, I went to New York and while he was on a business trip there, we meet again at ibang-iba na ako sa Agnes na dating kilala niya.
"I discovered more of myself and grew. I became more mature in my outlook in life and in so many ways. Our feelings for each other were rekindled and we end up in bed again.
"But whether that would lead to our reconciliation or not, that’s something you’ll find out when you watch the movie.”
How is it working with Alfred?
“I’ve known Alfred for a long time and we’ve worked together several times, even on TV, like in the original ‘Encantadia’ on GMA-7, so we really know each other. We’ve got good rapport and you can see this in our scenes on the movie.
"We’re very comfortable with each other, even in the love scene we did. Direk Mac Alejandre gave us a lot of freedom in interpreting our roles as Agnes and Allan.”
She’s glad to be part of a film like “Tagpuan” that takes a serious look at commitment and marital relationships.
“Those who experienced heartbreak will be able to identify with the feelings our characters go through. Our scenes ni Alfred were filmed on location in New York and you’ll see a different side of the Big Apple in this film, not the usual sites shown in other films.
"We could have shot the film’s interior scenes here in Manila but everything was shot there in New York, ayaw ni DIrek Mac at ni Alfred na may dayaang mangyari so it's all very authentic, what you see is what you get.”
She and husband Ben Wintle just celebrated their second wedding anniversary. They exchanged I do’s in Palawan on December 19, 2018.
Iza just posted online her message for Ben, saying:
“2 years ago, we made a decision to be partners in this beautiful and colorful journey called life. This year tested us only to reveal what we already knew that day. Together, we are unbreakable. Happy Anniversary, my love. 💖 @benmwintle”
And Ben answered: “ You remind me everyday that life’s greatest gift is love. What a year. Happy anniversary @missizacalzado Doing one of my favorite things with Iza tonight… rewatching our wedding video! Thank you again”
Their posts garnered about 50,000 congratulatory messages from friends and fans who are so happy for them. Any plans for having a baby soon?
“We leave it up to the Lord. But as of now, sobrang busy ako, andami kong trabaho, so we don’t know. Sayang naman ang projects na dumarating if I’d just let go of them, and my husband understands.”
