GORGY RULA
Hindi makapaniwala ang maybahay ni Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Sonny Angara na si Tootsy Angara na aabot siya hanggang sa ending ng Kapamilya primetime series na Blood vs. Duty.
Si Tootsy ay ABS-CBN executive bilang cluster head.
Pero artista na siya ngayon sa Blood vs. Duty bilang si Maya Mae Kalaw o MMK.
Si MMK ay isang journalist na host ng Inside The Truth, isang investigative show na tumalakay ng kuwento ng Isla Damai massacre, ang shooting sa Easton Valley Montessori, at ang Miraikona Summit hostage crisis.
Akala namin ay si Charo Santos, dahil gamit ang MMK sa pangalan ng karakter na ginagampanan niya.
Natawa si Tootsy nang hiningan siya ng reaksiyon.
“Oh my gosh, I’m honestly so humbled to even be mentioned in the same sentence as Ms. Charo Santos! She’s an absolute icon,” bulalas ni Tootsy.
“Honestly, nagulat talaga ako and incredibly touched by the reaction.
"This is my first role, so I was really nervous. I was just hoping I wouldn’t embarrass myself and that I could somehow do justice to the character.
“So when people noticed MMK and had kind things to say, I was really, really grateful.
"But I have to give so much credit to JRB, our creative and production teams, and our directors.
"They guided me every step of the way and somehow drew emotions out of me that I didn’t even know I had.”
Si JRB na binanggit ni Tootsy ay si Julie Anne R. Benitez, ang head ng JRB Production at producer ng Blood vs. Duty.
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TOOTSY STILL WONDER HOW SHE GOT MMK ROLE
Hanggang ngayon ay nagtatanong raw si Tootsy kung bakit siya ang piniling gumanap na MMK dahil ang buong akala raw niya ay one-time appearance lang.
Pero mas maaksyon pa raw ang susunod na gagawin niya sa pagtatapos ng Blood vs. Duty.
“Actually, until now I still want to ask them, ‘Are you sure?’” natatawa niyang pakli.
“I was simply very grateful for the trust.
“I’ve been with ABS-CBN for 30 years, and I’ve seen and experienced so much throughout that journey — especially the shutdown, which was such a painful and defining time for all of us. It made me understand even more deeply the importance of truth, responsible journalism, and giving people a voice.
“So when JRB offered me the role and I learned who MMK was — a journalist driven by truth, compassion, and courage — I immediately connected with what she represented. In many ways, the role felt very close to home and deeply meaningful to me.”
NOEL FERRER
Bago isinalang si Tootsy Angara sa taping bilang MMK, pinaghandaan daw niya ito nang husto. Nag-workshop siya sa tulong ni Malou Crisologo.
Saad niya: “Yes, I did prepare, and I took it very seriously because I knew I was entering a completely new world.
“Thank you kay Tita Malou Crisologo, who really helped me understand MMK — not just memorize her lines, but really understand who she is, what drives her, and where she’s coming from.”
Ang buong akala raw niya ay parang reporting lang ang gagawin niya. Mabuti na lang at matiyaga raw siyang ginabayan ng direktor at ng buong production.
“But nothing quite prepares you for actually being on set!
“I honestly thought I would just be doing reporter and journalist scenes, and then suddenly there was shock, anguish, pain, crying — and even a fight scene! It was one surprise after another.
“But I loved every minute of it. The directors were incredibly patient and generous, and the cast was so kind to a first-timer. I was constantly observing, listening, and learning from everyone around me.”
TOOTSY ANGARA ON HOSTING A SHOW
Nakikita ba niya ang sarili na balang araw ay magho-host ng isang talk show o magazine show kagaya nitong sa Blood vs. Duty?
Ani Tootsy: “Playing MMK actually gave me an even deeper respect for journalists and hosts who do this for real. It’s such a huge responsibility. You have to listen, ask the right questions, and always remember that behind every story are real people and real lives.
“Would I be open to hosting? I think this whole experience has taught me never to say never. I never imagined I would be acting at this stage in my life, and yet here I am.
“If an opportunity came along that had real purpose, told meaningful stories, and could somehow make a difference in people’s lives, I would definitely be open to it.
“For now, I’m just very grateful, enjoying the journey, and staying open to wherever it may lead.”
JERRY OLEA
Thankful din si Tootsy Angara sa suporta ng pamilya, lalo na si Secretary Sonny Angara.
Aniya: “They were incredibly supportive — and also very amused. Sonny especially.
“He would hear me late at night mumbling my lines over and over again, and sometimes he would even help me with the proper pronunciation of my four-syllable Tagalog words! He was so supportive.
“My family knew how nervous I was and how seriously I took the role.
“I think they were also happy to see me try something completely outside my comfort zone after 30 years of working mostly behind the scenes.”
Ang Episode 80 o finale ng Blood vs. Duty ay mag-ii-streaming sa Netflix sa Hulyo 21, 2026, Martes.
Simula Hulyo 24, Biyernes, ay streaming naman sa Netflix ang Someone, Someday nina Kathryn Bernardo, James Reid, at Maja Salvador.
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