Eugene Domingo received the most number of questions from the press last January 16 during the media junket for the TV series Volta at the 9501 restaurant in the ABS-CBN compound.
The comedienne was asked how she felt after winning the Best Supporting Actress Award in the 2007 Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) for her role in Bahay Kubo.
"Alam mo, minsan matapos ko lang ang isang araw na napasaya ko yung director, yung writer nakakausap mo ng tama, 'tapos pareho kayo ng way of thinking, happy na ako doon, nananalo na ako doon," Eugene told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal).
She added, "Pero yung recognition is really very important kasi mas nakaka-inspire, na tama pala yung ginagawa mo."
Eugene was blessed with many projects last year. She did a total of nine movies: The Promise, Paano Kita Iibigin; Apat Dapat, Dapat Apat; Pasukob, Katas ng Saudi, Foster Child, Pisay; Shake, Rattle, And Roll, and Bahay Kubo. In television, she was seen in Kokey, Palimos ng Pag-ibig, and in two episodes of the weekly show Love Spell.
Is Eugene expecting a similar hectic schedule this year?
"Siguro hindi na ganung ka-hectic," answered Eugene. "Siguro parang ipe-pace mo na, may pacing kasi iisipin mo, ‘Ah, ito hindi ko pa nagawa.' Yung ganun. Mas challenging sana at saka yung, ‘Ah, ito, ito naman. Yung ang saya, ang sarap lang mag-enjoy, ang sarap katrabaho nitong mga 'to.'"
She added, "Actually, ganun naman ako mag-isip. Nagkataon lang last year, sabay-sabay gusto ko. Gusto ko yung mga nakakatrabaho ko."
Did she feel any changes in her career after winning an acting award?
"Ganun pa rin, wala namang nagbago sa akin," she replied. "It is an important thing because it is a recognition, pero hindi mo dapat 'yon ilagay sa ulo mo 'tapos iisipin natin, ‘Academy Award-winner ako." Academy talaga! Ano ba 'yan? Di naman ganun."
TRYING OUT NEW ROLES. Although Eugene is more popular as a comedienne, she mentioned to PEP that she also play different roles in theater and independent films.
The actress said that she's always open to the idea of trying out new roles in her projects.
"Kaya nga every now and then, I see to it na I accept projects from Cinemalaya. Hindi ko naman sinasabi na mas may katuturan yung sa kanila, kundi dahil ang mga roles parang hindi masyadong limited. Kasi hindi sila [independent films] masyadong ano, parang kung saan ka na-typecast yun na lang. Somehow may nakikita sila na puwede mong gampanan, so I grab that chance all the time," explained Eugene.
When asked about her dream role, Eugene answered, "For commercial projects, I like the role played by Bette Midler during her time. For indies or serious projects, sana parang yung roles ni—huwag na tayong lumayo kasi meron di naman tayong genius actors dito—Nora Aunor. Kailangan nating ipagmalaki yun. So yung mga ganung ka-varied na roles."
She then added, "Pero kung talagang mabigyan ka ng chance na i-pursue ang pagiging komedyante, ang sarap maging Dolphy, e."
