AVA MENDEZ is being launched to full stardom by Vivamax playinbg the title role in “Domme”, which means dominatrix, the dominant partner in BDSM relationships: bondage, domination, sado-masochism.
Did she see the movie “Fifty Shades of Grey” that is about the same kind of sexual relationship?
“Yes, at mas malala yung mga ginawa namin sa ‘Domme’ kaysa roon,” she says, laughing.
Has she ever tried BDSM in real life?
“Not yet. Pero in real life, game naman ako, adventuruous naman ako, so feeling ko, parang kaya ko na hindi ko kaya, pero parang gusto kong i-try.
"Curious ako, kasi hindi ko alam kung paano talaga ang mga ginagawa nila.”
In “Domme”, she plays Estelle, a dominatrix who Mark Anthony Fernandez, a successful chef, hires to have kinky sex with her.
Can she relate with her character?
“Si Estelle, she has a strong personality. She’s somewhat similar sa akin, kasi strong talaga ako.
"Even in my other roles, laging bida-kontrabida ako kasi malakas nga ang dating ko.
"So bagay sa’kin ang role ng Estelle and I feel nagampanan ko naman siya nang maayos.”
When Director Roman Perez Jr. offered the role to her, did she accept it right away?
“When he explained the movie to me and my role, sabi ko, iba ito. First time na may gagawa ng ganitong movie about a dominatrix and BDSM.
"Siempre, naintriga ako. And first starring role ko, so na-challenged ako.”
Initially, she thought she’d find it difficult to portray the role.
“Akala ko, hindi ko makakaya, pero nakaya ko naman, with the help of Direk Roman and my co-stars.
"I did my own research and nalaman ko, may mga dominatrix pala talaga rito sa Pilipinas.
"Before the shooting started, we had a workshop. Tapos, nag-brainstorming kami where we all contributed our ideas about the making of the movie.
"Masarap katrabaho si Direk Roman, kasi very hands on siya. Parang tatay siya at mga anak ang treatment niya sa amin.
"oong una, naiilang pa ako sa mga pinagagawa niya sa akin. Pero nang tumagal, nage-enjoy na ako. Hahahaha!”
How is it working with Mark Anthony Fernandez as her number one customer?
“First time ko to work with him at nang una ko siyang makilala sa set, I was in bed. May kausap ako sa phone tapos, tumabi siya sa akin.
"Sabi niya, puede ba kitang ligawan? Naku, sabi ko, hindi tayo ganyan.
"Matulog ka na lang, kasi may kausap pa ako sa phone.
"But nag-enjoy ako working with him, kasi magaan siyang katrabaho.
"Even sa love scenes, malambing siya, e. Pero less ang sex scenes dito, but very stimulating pa rin.
"Tiyak na mato-torture mentally yung ibang viewers sa mga gagawin namin.”
It’s common knowledge she was recently linked to a local rapper who had a child with a popular influencer? How are they now?
It’s Direk Roman who answered: “Single siya ngayon. Kaya mas nakakapag-isip niya nang maayos.”
“Yes,” she agrees. “Single ako. At mas gusto ko ng rap in English.
"Basta walang nangyari sa amin, wala naman akong naramdamang kahit ano!” she says, laughing.