Isabel Oli is shedding her sweet, innocent image for a more
challenging role in Maging Akin Ka Lamang. In the sixth installment of
GMA-7's Sine Novela, Isabel will play an aggressive woman named Rosita who is
obsessed with Andy (Polo Ravales). But Andy is in love with Elsa (played
by Nadine Samonte).
During the January 14 press conference of Maging Akin Ka Lamang at Annabel's Restaurant in Timog Avenue, Quezon City, Isabel described the character that she will be playing in the afternoon drama series expected to air on GMA-7 starting Monday, January 21.
"Yung role ko parang bida-kontrabida. Unique siya. Kay Miss LT [Lorna Tolentino] raw yung role ko...Ako naman, ang reaction ko: ‘Bakit ako? Ang hirap nun!' Nag-grand slam daw si Miss LT para sa role na yun," she recounts.
It will be recalled that Lorna Tolentino won Best Actress from all the award-giving bodies for the 1987 Lino Brocka classic.
"In preparation for this role, I watched films like Fatal Attraction kasi obsessed yung character ko dito. She's very, very rich so I need to get my own personal stylist and my own personal makeup artist. Dapat kasi may makeup siya lagi, maganda siya lagi.
"Kumuha po ako ng stylist out of my own personal account. Kasi mahirap po. Nakita ko kasi si Miss LT [sa movie], lagi siyang maganda, lagi siyang nakaporma. Kumuha na lang po ako ng personal stylist saka wardrobe. Talagang gumastos ako! Okay lang naman sa akin na ako na lang," says Isabel with a laugh.
The former star of Mga Mata ni Anghelita differentiates her role with the character played by Lorna two decades ago. "Dito kasi, sobrang aggressive siya. Dun sa dating movie ni Miss LT, medyo mahinhin pa siya kahit papaano. Dito, ginawa nilang aggressive at wild na girl."
How did she bring out that wild and aggressive Isabel?
"Nagtatanong ako kay Direk [Gil Tejada Jr.]. May scene kasi na parang nire-rape ko na si Polo," narrates Isabel, which sends reporters laughing. While the trailer of Maging Akin Ka Lamang was being shown to the press, Isabel laughed at herself while seducing the half-naked Polo Ravales.
How do you think Lorna will react to her portrayal of Rosita?
"May pinagsabihan nga ako kung puwede sabihin kay Miss LT na ako ang Rosita dito. Ang sabi raw ni Miss LT, ‘Wow! Sure kayo? Ang galing! Ang ganda-ganda ng role ko dun!' Gusto ko rin na mapanood niya yung Maging Akin Ka Lamang."
Has there been a guy who was obsessed with you in the past?
"High school pa yun, e. Hindi pa niya siguro maintindihan yung feelings. May mga pictures niya at may notebook. Ang weird kasi sinusundan niya ako sa bahay. Sinabi ko na huwag niyang gawin kasi natatakot ako."
How is it like to play a kontrabida role? "Ang saya! Buti na lang hindi siya yung kontrabida na loud. May poise siya at sosyal pa rin," says Isabel with a sigh of relief.
The 26-year-old actress believes it's now time to shed her goody-goody image and accept more challenging roles. "Ayaw ng GMA na lagi ka na lang inaapi. Gusto nila maging character actress ako. Pinagpi-pray ko nga na matanggap ng fans kahit na kontrabida. Ito ang plan ng GMA at sana suportahan pa rin nila ako," she says sweetly.