La Primera Contravida Gladys Reyes has faced every kind of “kontrabida” imaginable on screen — but off camera, she says she owes some of her most iconic moments to her longtime best friend and frequent on-screen rival, Judy Ann Santos.
In an interview during Star Magic’s Spotlight Presscon held last October 29, Gladys gamely looked back on her decades-long career and opened up about the kind of roles she still dreams of portraying — and the one person she’d love to trade dramatic slaps with again.
“Si Judy Ann Santos, mabigat ang kamay nu’n!” she said, laughing. “Mas masakit siyang manampal, mabigat talaga ang kamay nu’n!”
The ‘Cruz vs. Cruz’ actress fondly recalled their past projects together, noting how Juday’s sincerity as an actress made every emotional scene feel real.
“Kung kailangan mo talagang umiyak sa eksena, hindi mo na kailangang mag-motivate kasi maiiyak ka talaga sa sakit ng sampal niya,” Gladys shared. “’Yung totoo talaga, na mapapahiwalay sandali ‘yung kaluluwa mo sa katawan mo!”
Gladys, who has spent over three decades in the industry, said she still looks forward to tackling new and complex characters, especially those that challenge her acting range.
“Parang gusto ko rin ‘yung mala-‘Gone Girl,’ may pagka-bida-kontrabida,” she said. “Ayoko nu’ng totally bida o pinaka-villain. Gusto ko ‘yung may layers, ‘yung may paghihiganti, may revenge, mga gano’ng pelikula.”
She also expressed a strong desire to portray a character with autism, inspired by her own brother, PJ.
“Meron akong brother who has autism,” she revealed. “So gusto ko mag-portray ng ganun kasi firsthand kasama ko siya sa bahay, alam ko ‘yung mannerisms, behavior, kung paano siya magsalita. I want to do that one day.”
Despite her long list of acclaimed roles, Gladys said she continues to find joy and purpose in acting.
“Lalo kong navavalidate na ito talaga ‘yung gusto kong gawin hanggang sa pagtanda ko. Hangga’t gusto ako ng tao, hangga’t may proyekto na gusto kong gawin, gusto ko ito,” she said.
Currently, Gladys is busy filming the second season of ‘Cruz vs. Cruz’ and is also starring in the upcoming musical family drama ‘The Heart of Music,’ which hits cinemas on December 10.
As for her next “dream slap scene”? Gladys says she’s ready — whether it’s with Judy Ann Santos or another powerhouse like Maricel Soriano.
“Kung mangyari ‘yon, gusto ko ’yung totohanang sampalan. Kasi gusto ko maramdaman talaga ‘yung emosyon. ‘Yung hindi mo na kailangang umarte — kasi ramdam mo na!” she said with a grin.
