- Dimples Romana’s portrayal of Babaylan Gloria in Bagani became controversial.
- Suzette Doctolero left a comment, slamming Dimples’ portrayal.
- Dimples didn’t take offense because the writer commended her acting skills.
Dimples Romana plays Babaylan Gloria in the Kapamilya fantaserye Bagani. Her character helps is a seer in the land of Sansinukob, helping the Baganis in their mission. Although praised for her acting skills, Dimples was initially surprised that her portrayal as Babaylan Gloria became controversial.
Suzette’s opinion on Babaylan depiction
Kapuso head writer Suzette Doctolero is known for her creation of Amaya. This series was based on pre-colonial Filipinos, including Babaylans. She didn’t like how Bagani depicted the Babaylan.
When asked about this, Dimples downplayed the criticism and pointed out that she couldn’t get on the good side of everybody. She noted that there are people who would oppose her portrayal because they have their own opinions.
“Ako, sa totoo lang, ang stand ko doon, nirerespeto namin lahat, eh. Kasi siyempre, kahit naman hindi roles, kahit tayo bilang tao, we cannot really be on the good side of everybody. Siyempre, meron at merong mag-o-oppose, magkakaroon sila ng opinyon, e, okay lang naman yun. Ako naman ay artista, handa ako sa mga ganong bagay.”
Dimple reacts
Dimples revealed that she was initially shocked when Suzette’s criticisms circulated online. She didn’t take offense because the writer commended her acting skills.
“Na-shock ako kasi sa totoo lang, when that came out, she praised my acting ability, eh. So basically, when I was looking at it, hindi ako nag-take offense kasi may respeto ako.”
Dimples detailed that she wasn’t able to watch the Kapuso portrayal of a Babaylan. She, however, would still have some things to say if she watched it.
“Just the same as when kunyari, hindi kasi ako nakakapanuod noong sa kanila, pero kung napanuod ko yun, I would also have things to say, may it good, may it be bad, pero yun ay normal kasi ito ay trabaho, eh.”
Respect for Suzette
Dimples guaranteed that writers won’t please everyone with what they write. She stated that people still have to be ready for criticism in their creation.
“Even for writers, di ba? I’m sure not everything you write will be amicable to everyone. But you have to be ready for that because this is a creative world. We have to be ready for that.”
Although Suzette slammed the depiction of a Babaylan, Dimples still showed her respect towards the head writer.
“Ako, nirerespeto ko yung sinabi ni Ma’am, okay lang yun, walang problema sa akin. Ako talaga, lumaki na ako sa industriyang ito and what I learned from all the veteran actors I’ve worked with is to always respect. And my respect goes not only to my co-actors but also to our writers, may it be from our station or the other, I always have respect for everybody.
“Sabi ko nga sa ‘yo, noong binasa ko, nagulat ako kasi hindi ako sanay na pinag-uusapan, in that way, hindi ako sanay. Pero kasi noong binasa ko, because there was a phrase there which she said my acting is good, parang doon pa lang, ano na ako, okay po. Wala namang ano sa akin.”
