Cherry Pie Picache, 37, says that she is open to the idea of having a relationship with a man who is much younger than her—but he has to be mature enough for her. The veteran actress also points out that she plans to concentrate on mainstream projects instead of focusing on indie projects.
"Medyo todo ako sa Foster Child [Brillante Mendoza's indie film that has won four international awards to date]. Todo ako sa independent projects last year, so kailangan ko naman kumita this year. Mainstream naman para mabalanse. Saka hindi ka dapat mawala sa mainstream kasi ang tao, mainstream pa rin. Baka mamaya, ‘pag masyado akong nawala sa mainstream, hindi na nila ako makilala," she says with a smile.
Her first mainstream project for the year is the Regal Entertainment movie Manay Po 2: Overload, which will open on April 16 instead of March 22. During the movie's press conference held at the Imperial Palace Suites at Quezon City, Cherry Pie said that she is content being the mother of her son Anton.
"Si Gary [Tria, the father of her son] hindi naman siya nawawala, e. We're very much together while rearing our child."
Some people have commented that she seems to have difficulty losing weight lately. Is it because she does not have an inspiration right now?
"Hindi naman. Siyempre, I'm not getting any younger. I'm turning 38 this year. Siyempre ang metabolism mo mabagal na. Saka kasi hindi ko pinapagtrabahuhan masyado. Sabi nga ni Ate Marya [Maricel Soriano], kailangan gawin mo so gagawin ko na ngayon." Cherry Pie is working with the Diamond Star for the ABS-CBN TV series Florinda.
In Manay Po 2: Overload, Cherry Pie is Luzviminda Dimagiba, a mother to three gay sons played by Polo Ravales, John Prats, and Jiro Manio. In this movie, Cherry Pie works again with Christian Vasquez, for whom she had a crush during the original Manay Po. "I find him attractive, I must admit, pero before. He's still attractive kasi noon, bago siya. Katatapos lang noon ng PBB [Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Edition] at nato-touch ako na umiiyak siya sa mga anak niya.
"Saka delicious naman talaga siya," declares Cherry Pie, before laughing heartily at her own description. "Pero ngayon, okay na lang. Sanay na ako."
When asked if she is dating other guys, Cherry Pie confides that she would rather not get involved with anyone right now. "Huwag muna, sa anak ko na lang muna. Friends kami ni Gary so I'm keeping my doors open. I'm still hoping and praying."
However, she will make an exception if the guy is persistent and mature. "Pero kung may magiging masigasig, why not? Yung ligaw talaga, yung ipapakitang mahal na mahal ako, yung pakakasalan ako. I might consider [him]."
Is she open to having a May-December affair? This is a euphemism for a relationship wherein one of the two parties is considerably older than the other one.
"Dati, wala akong attraction talaga sa mas bata. Pero ngayon, parang lahat ng nagiging type ko, bata. Ngayon, why not? Basta mature, dapat lang mature. Ayoko nang mag-alaga. Ayoko ng isip-bata. Ayoko ng isang anak pa.
What does she think of couples who have a significant age gap like Polo Ravales and Jean Garcia? "Panalo! Niloloko ko nga si Polo, ‘totoo ba?'"
Cherry Pie is asked if she has seen Polo and Jean together on the set of Manay Po 2. "Ayokong manggaling sa akin, pero nagkataon yung location ng shooting namin sa bahay [ng Manay Po 2] is one house away from the house of Jean.
"If it's true, I'm happy for them. Dalaga si Jean, binata si Polo. Why not?"
