‘I’m willing to try it to always be the best version of my family – Max Collins’
Max Collins
MAX Collins can’t help but feel sad now that their hit primetime drama series, “To Have and To Hold”, is about to end its successful run this week. She didn’t really expect that her role as Dominique Ramirez, the erring wife of Rocco Nacino as Gavin, will make such a big impact on the viewers.
“I’m happy and thankful that the show clicked with the viewers,” she said. “My role is very different from what I am in real life. She’s an alpha female and you won’t like her in some ways. She’s not perfect, she has her own flaws, but what I like is she has a lot of confidence.”
She said she really worked so hard for the series. “This is my first show na nanay na ako so
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I’m motivated by the desire na maging proud sa akin ang anak ko kapag napanood niya ito someday.”
One thing you’d notice with Max is that her mestiza beauty is really glowing these days. What’s her secret?
“I believe every woman should take care of herself in a holistic manner, meaning, you should be healthy not only physically but also emotionally and psychologically, that includes working out and taking your food supplements to keep physically fit, but also meditating to keep your emotions calm and your mind, always clear. When you do that, your glow will come out naturally.”
If ever, would she resort to cosmetic enhancement procedures to keep her youthful looks?
“Yes, I’m okay with botox. I’m open to other ways of maintaining your beauty, but right now, hindi ko pa naman kailangan as I’m only 29. But later on, I’m willing to try it to always be the best version of my family.”
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“Mano Po: My Family” was first made by Regal Entertainment in 2002. It was a big blockbuster and six sequels followed. Now, exactly 20 years later, Regal has teamed up with GMA to come up with a series entitled “Mano Po: Legacy,” meant to be shown on primetime television starting this January.
This is Regal’s second collaboration with the Kapuso station after their Sunday afternoon drama anthology, “Regal Studio Presents”, which is rating very well. “Mano Po: Legacy” will once again revolve on the story of love, family and traditions among Filipino-Chinese communities.
The first feature is “Mano Po: The Family Fortune” starring Barbie Forteza. Joining her are Boots Anson Roa, Maricel Laxa, Sunshine Cruz, Almira Muhlach, David Licauco, Rob Gomez, Nikki Co, David Chua, Cassie Banks, Dustin and Darwin Yu, directed by Ian Lorenos who is really a Chinoy and with Jose Javier Reyes as the head writer.
We asked Barbie what her role is. “I play Steffy Dy,” she said. “I come from a poor family and naging scholar ako ni Tito Boots Anson Roa so nang nakatapos na ako, I get to work with their family. May power struggle sa family nila between two strong women, Tita Maricel Laxa and Tita Sunshine Cruz at maiipit ako sa kanila. I’m paired naman with David Licauco and Rob Gomez, na parehong heredero ng family. May love triangle kami rito.”
Roselle Monteverde of Regal said they will come up with new stories different from those already shown in the past movies. “It’s still about Chinoy families but the treatment is very now,” she said. “Chinese families have already evolved from the traditional ones and we will deal with the younger generation of today’s Filipino-Chinese communities.”
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News anchor Ces Drilon has forayed into acting. She plays the mother of Ali King in “Love Team: Beyond Boys’ Lockdown”, a spin off of the hit Boys Love series last year, “Boys Lockdown”, starring Ali and Alec Kevin.
“I am thrilled and excited,” she says at the solo Zoom press con for her. “After I got retrenched, I feel that now is the time to explore new things and do things outside of my usual comfort zone. So why not experiment? I’ve done some movies before playing myself.
Now, I play a different character”
She tried retiring for a while. “But it’s not for me. I got bored. I’m in a state of flux, so I took courses in natural perfumery, soap making, scent making and now I have a new brand called Probinsiyana, creating things for healing from nature. Our products like soaps, sprays and smudge sticks are now available online. I’ m starting my own farm in Indang, Cavite. Gusto ko sarili kong mga tanim ang gagamitin ko for my soaps, my sprays and my smudge sticks.”
Was she convinced to do the show easily? “Yes, it didn’t take me much convincing. They said they had me in my mind as it’s perfect for me. I thought the reason is my youngest son (Andre, who has come out as bisexual), pero ‘di naman pala nila alam. I like my role as I’ll be in the entire season. I did an acting workshop before the shoot and it was so helpful.”
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Is she able to connect with the younger members of the cast of “Love Team”? “Yes, I’m a Kumu streamer, every Monday at 8 p.m., so at home ako sa mga bagets. I also watched a couple of BL series kaya I know how it goes.”
Was it easy for her to accept her son after he came out? “In the end, we’re all human beings. Your love for your child will tell you how you will react. Kung mahal mo talaga siya, hindi importante kung anong gender niya. I asked my son if it’s okay for him for me to take on this role and he said yes. I really believe it’s about time that their own unique stories be told.”
It’s common knowledge she’s loveless right now after she broke up with former newsman Ricky Carandang, her partner of 13 years. Is she looking for somebody new?
“No, hindi ako naghahanap. But if the universe would conspire and I’d meet someone, who knows. It’s hard breaking up in the middle of the pandemic but I felt I have to move on.”
