The Kapamilya actress regards her role in the top rating Kapamilya action-drama series as ‘revolutionary,’ given how it showcases women empowerment.
Multi-awarded Kapamilya actress Dimples Romana was the only rose among the thorns last June 24 at the Seda Hotel, where the press conference for the new season of ‘The Iron Heart’ was held. The series is currently transitioning to its second season, which premieres on July 3. From Cebu, the series will now be primarily set in the province of Iloilo.
Playing as the mysterious, kickass lady Selene, Romana believes that her role, alongside other strong female characters in the series, is instrumental to the show’s effective illustration of what ‘women empowerment’ is. The actress took the chance to share how she got the role and how it gives her a sense of fulfillment.
“Ako very proud talaga kasi imagine, Selene came about after I gave birth to Elio and today is Elio’s first birthday,” she told the press.
“When it was offered to me, I was just very excited, kasi as you may know, baby ako ng Star Creatives. Whenever I’m with them, I feel like the collaboration is just on fire,” she shared, recalling her past projects with the Kapamilya drama unit including the fantasy action-drama ‘Bagani’ in 2018.
For Romana, saying ‘yes’ to the offer and be a part of the Richard Gutierrez-starrer was not a difficult undertaking, given the tremendous care she received from Star Creatives in her past projects.
“Every time that I get to do something with them, it is something new for me. So, ‘nung pumasok ako and nakita ko na sina direk Lester, alam ko na ‘yung pinapasok ko, kasi…when they say action, it is not just action—no,they mean business, when they say action, and that’s what I want,” she added, recalling her scenes in the series where she did fought beside, against, and alongside the male cast of the series.
For her, Selene is a powerful figure to represent women empowerment in the show. She then noted the series’ success in both presenting and executing ‘women’ empowerment effectively.
“When you’ve been in business for decades, bata ka palang, naghahanap ka talaga ng mag-chachallenge sa’yo, and you know Iron Heart, being able to work with Richard—it’s our first time working together, I am so excited—because, when you talk about women empowerment, napakasensitibo ‘yan.
“May mga pagkakataon kasi na napi-present siya pero hindi siya na-eexecute nang maayos. Puwede rin siyang na-eexecute maayos, pero hindi napi-present nang maayos. I feel like with The Iron Heart, we have done very, very well, in terms of presenting and executing that, myself,” she proudly said.
Romana underscored how empowering it is to see a character like the one she plays in ‘The Iron Heart,’ and it is also for many female audiences who are yet to muster their own courage inside them, to forge ahead and be proud of being women.
“Imagine, this is a mom of three. Naisip mo ba ‘yun, kapag nanay ka ng tatlo, nakaka-empower kapag nakakapanood ka ng isang nanay na bumabaril in heels,” she shared, noting one instance on the set where she was given the option to take off her heels so she could pull off the action scene better, but she decided to keep them and do the scene effectively as required.
“Bakit ako puwede magpalit, eh’yung mga boys nga di naman tayo nag-aadjust kapag nahihirapan. Ba’t mag-aadjust dahil babae ako—no, heels ba kamo na-umpisahan na, i-heels na ‘yan. Tapos nagpi-pray ako, Lord, wag akong matatapilok kundi magpapack-up po kami,” she added.
Romana did not forget to give credits to other female cast members of the show, describing their participation and their achievement in the show as revolutionary.
“All these amazing strong independent women, fighting, not just against and besides, but alongside men, is, I feel, revolutionary, especially for TV, especially for now. So, thank you Iron Heart for doing that,” she noted, adding how empowering it must be to see strong women triumph against and alongside men in a TV show like ‘The Iron Heart.’
“Kung ako nanay, kung ako babae, nanonood ako ng Iron Heart, lalakas ang loob ko na ‘ay yan ang mga pagkakataong itatayo ko ‘yung bandera ko bilang babae. This is not the time, ‘babae lang ako’; this is the time to say ‘babae ako at kung anong kaya mong gawin, lalaki ka, mas kaya ko’,” she said, closing her powerful statement.
According to Romana and the showrunners themselves, shifting allegiances will be commonplace in the next season. Will Selene finally show which side she truly supports? It seems that the character has many surprises for the audience in season 2.
