SYLVIA SANCHEZ was in the lock in taping of a new show, “Huwag Kang Mangamba”, when she joined the zoom presscon of her Metro-Manila Filmfest entry, “Coming Home”.
She plays Salve, the martyr wife of Jinggoy Estrada as Benny, an OFW who became unfaithful to her while working in Qatar. When he got sick, Jinggoy’s mistress, Ariella Arida, returned him to Sylvia and their kids.
“I can relate with my role kasi nangyari yan sa family namin,” she says. “Seaman din ang tatay ko na nagkaroon ng ibang babae at hindi na bumalik sa amin.
"Nakita ko ang epekto nito sa family namin, lalo na sa nanay ko. May line ako sa movie na sinabi rin sa amin ng nanay ko: Gaano man kasama ang tatay nyo, wala kayong karapatang magalit sa kanya dahil tatay nyo pa rin siya.”
Has she forgiven her dad?
“Yes, 1992 pa, napatawad ko na siya. Hindi magandang magtanim ng galit sa loob, lalo na sa magulang mo. Dapat, matuto tayong magpatawad to heal the wounds.”
What if it happens to her in real life and her husband, Art Atayde, becomes unfaithful?
“Of course, masasaktan ako, magwawala ako sa umpisa. But eventually, patatawarin ko pa rin siya at tatanggapin ko, kasi mahal ko talaga yung husband ko.”
How is it working with Jinggoy?
“Matagal na kaming magkakilala. Nung nag-uumpisa pa lang ako, very thick ang Visayan accent ko at lagi niya akong pinagtatawanan. Ang tawag niya sa akin, si Bisaya.
"Ang Sylvia ko noon, I pronounced it as Selvia. Buti ngayon, straight na ang dila ko. I’m thankful to Jinggoy na kinuha niya ako for this movie na produced ng kanyang Maverick Films. I saw him then sa action movies niya, pero dito, hindi siya action star, hindi siya goons dito.
"Nagulat ako sa kanya. He showed here na kaya niyang magdrama. Kapag gifted ka talaga as an actor, lalabas yun with the right project at ang galing-galing niya rito.”
She’s currently nominated as best actress for the movie “Jesusa” in the FAP Luna Awards. Some quarters now say she also has a good chance of winning an award in the filmfest for “Coming Home”.
“I don’t do a role expecting to win an award, madi-distract ka lang. But maganda talaga ang role ko rito as Salve and I want to thank Direk Adolf Alix for giving me this role. Kung mananalo ako, bonus na lang yon.”
