RABIYA MATEO is so thankful for the positive messages that she got when her character, Agent Asha Raj, appeared last Saturday in GMA-7’s hit action-fantasy, “Agimat ng Agila”.
“Nakakatuwa as most people said okay raw ang acting ko,” she says.
"I feel very blessed that right after my stint as Miss Universe Philippines, nabigyan ako agad ng magandang project na ganito at naga-action ang role ko, so my heart is just full of gratitude.”
Does she feel any pressure that she is filling in the shoes of Sanya Lopez whose character has died?
“May pressure kasi very successful ang Season One, so pinagbubuti naman talaga ng lahat para mapantayan o mahigitan yun.
"At ako, I’m doing my part kasi I give my best sa lahat ng eksena ko, lalo na sa action scenes na mahirap gawin. May dance sequence pa kami ni Sen. Bong Revilla where we danced the tango. Pinag-aralan namin talaga yun.”
How’s her experience working with Sen. Bong?
“Alam niyang talagang intimidated ako, takot na takot ako sa kanya. But he made me feel relaxed, sabi niya, bakit ka matatakot, nangangagat ba ako? So nawala ang kaba ko at inalalayan niya talaga ako nang husto.”
She’s now very thankful that her very first big TV show is with him.
“He acted like an acting coach for me. If he’s not satisfied with the delivery of my lines or sa acting ko, he tells Direk Rico Gutierrez, cut direk! Rabiya can do better than that. So we do another take to perfect it and I really appreciate that.
"I’m so thankful he’s my first leading man kasi ako, very expressive. When I emote, buong mukha ko gumagalaw, so he tells me to minimize that kasi on screen, nama-magnify ang lahat and I have to control my movements and facial expressions.”
Do they have a kissing scene in the show? “Naku, secret po. Panoorin nyo na lang po para walang spoiler.”
Will she be willing to do sexy scenes like what they do in Vivamax movies?
“Naku, not right now, kasi i just came from Miss Universe Philippines. Also, I have to consider my audience, kasi ang fans ko, maraming mga bata. If ever I’d go sexy, siguro kailangang dahan-dahanin.
"I also have to consider my mom, kasi may restrictions siya and I have to respect that. I also won’t commit myself to a role if I’m not ready for it, so siguro, I won’t do a sexy role, not in the next three years.”
The presscon was held last Monday, Valentine’s Day. Does she have a date?
“Heto po, kayong mga press ang kasama ko. I’m spending Valentine with all of you. At saka, wala po akong boyfriend right now.”
