Pokwang, or Marietta Subong in real life, has been known for tickling the hearts of every Filipino audience with her funny antics and her ever-surprising costumes and hairstyles. Her knack for jokes and well-delivered punch lines has made her one of the most successful local comediennes today.
As a performer, however, Pokwang wanted more.
For a change, she yearned to be recognized as an actress who can not only make people laugh, but could also touch souls and make her audience cry.
Her dreams recently materialized through the movie, A Mother’s Story, which was shown in different parts of America before it premiered in local cinemas last Jan. 8. The movie, which is The Filipino Channel’s (TFC) first movie offering, was also a new experience for Pokwang for it challenged her to move out of her comfort zone and show audiences her dramatic skills as well.
Humbled by the opportunity given to her, Pokwang said in an interview that doing drama is really something that she was pressured to do for she was always the happy-go-lucky type. But because of the trust the TFC had given her, Pokwang said she decided to give it all she’s got. Graded Rated A by the Cinema Evaluation Board, A Mother’s Story earned rave reviews from critics and audiences alike who were taken by surprise by Pokwang’s heartfelt acting. Pokwang’s character, Medy, also tugged the hearts of mothers, especially those who had to work abroad for their children.
A Mother’s Story is about Medy, a mother of two kids who goes out to the United States for what was supposed to be a project for only seven days as a make-up artist. While in the States, Medy bumps into an old friend who convinced her to prolong her stay as an undocumented worker so she could send more money to her family in the Philippines.
Asked where she got her motivation to play her first lead role in a movie, Pokwang said in an interview that although she felt pressured, she decided to use her own experience and relate her life story to Medy. In real life, Pokwang was also once an overseas Filipino worker who had to work in Japan and Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately, while in Abu Dhabi, she lost her 6-year old daughter who was diagnosed with brain tumor.
“Yung character ko doon sa movie bilang isang ina, bilang OFW, eh hindi naman talaga lumayo ng bonggang bonga sa pagkatao ko bilang si Marietta Subong sa totoong buhay. So andami kong pinaghugutan na totoong naranasan ko sa buhay.”
Despite being traumatized by the experience of losing one of her daughters, Pokwang realized that trials are God’s way of letting in other blessings in her life. Her decision to stay in the Philippines to look after her lone daughter pushed her to try different things. Thus, leading her to be one of ABS-CBN’s funniest actresses.
With projects left and right, Pokwang never forgets to remember to thank God for the blessings she receives. Because of her hard work, the actress has managed to build a posh home in Antipolo worth P30 million.
Unlike other celebrities who want to splurge what they earn right away on fancy cars and jewelries, Pokwang shared in an interview with PEP.ph last May 8 that she has found it more practical to invest on properties while they still have offers and projects.
“Hangga’t mainit tayo, hangga’t may dumarating sa ating blessing, magtira tayo ng para sa atin.”
With the success of A Mother’s Story, many have been wondering if Pokwang is thinking of doing more dramas now that she has proven that she can be a comedienne who can do serious roles as well. In the premiere night of A Mother’s Story last Jan. 8, Pokwang shared she wants to hold on to her roots as a performer as much as possible.
“Nagkataon na ang pelikulang ito, [drama] ang hinihingi sa akin bilang isang artista. Siyempre hangga’t maari ayaw ko mawala sa field na nagpapasaya, nagpapatawa pero siyempre napakalaking challenge ang naggawa ko na mapaiyak sila.”
During A Mother’s Story’s promotional interview, Pokwang expressed gratitude for the opportunity of top-billing a movie for the first time. She was also more grateful for being able to do a character that was so close to her heart that many overseas Filipino workers, especially mothers, have surely related to.
“Ang saya, ang saya saya (on the brink of tears)! Ano ‘to luha ‘to (ng kasiyahan dahil) nabigyan ako ng chance na ipadama sa mga OFWs natin na kung gaano sila kaimportante at nagbibigay ng inspirasyon sa ating lahat.”
(www.asianjournal.com)
(OCIE Jan 27-Feb 1, 2012)
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