Dawn to upstarts: ‘Don’t let showbiz consume you’

CEBU, Philippines - One minute you’re the white-hot commodity, the next second you’re bypassed for the younger, fresher toast of tinseltown. And so stars work like horses to stay relevant, foregoing sleep and personal pursuits for the money and to keep a firm hold of their place in the industry.

Dawn Zulueta knows this all too well.

“I was 24 once and I worked so hard to the point where I hardly slept and didn’t have time to enjoy myself,” says the actress during a press conference Monday at the Radisson Blu Hotel for her latest film “Love Me Tomorrow.”

A classic beauty who rose to fame in memorable romance-drama films, notably those which paired her with Richard Gomez, Dawn nurtured a productive career marked with acting recognitions – including the distinction of being the only actress in Philippine history so far to win Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress in one awards night.

Now a mom of two and wife of a politico, Dawn says the years have made her realize that even if it’s good to toil away while one can, it’s equally important to take time-outs.

“I think that’s why I have this revival in my career. I love my work more now because I allowed myself to take breaks,” says Dawn.

“I was able to learn so much about myself and I have more to offer the industry because of that break. If we don’t give ourselves space and all we do is work, work, work, we become numb. You start to hate yourself, you start to hate everyone around you and how everyone wants you to do things.”

When you start dreading showing up for work – whether in showbiz or any other field – Dawn says that’s a sign that one needs a breather.

“It’s not work if you’re enjoying yourself. The only way to not lose that spark is by allowing yourself to take breaks,” points out Dawn, as she glances over her co-stars Piolo Pascual (who says he has been feeling under the weather) and Coleen Garcia (who seemed disoriented what day of the week it was) as she addresses this wisdom to them.

The  importance of a work-life balance came up when Dawn was asked what she can advise the 24-year-old Coleen on how to survive and thrive in showbiz like the veteran star has so gracefully done.

“For them it’s such an exciting time. Especially if you’re still single,” says Dawn of Coleen and Piolo.

To Coleen specifically, “You still have your whole life ahead of you, and even now you’re off to a good start, so it’s really a matter of being careful with the pojects you choose. She’s really impressive. She was impressive in her last film but in here, she caught my attention.”

Amidst all the bustle of celebrity, Dawn cautions the two to “make sure it doesn’t consume you.”

“Of course you have a goal but don’t let it consume you that you can’t enjoy the fruits of your labor,” she adds. “Don’t let it reach a point where you hate coming to work.”

Age just a number

These days, Dawn not only relishes rolling out of bed for work, she’s also eager to explore what else is in store for her in terms of roles.

“Our local industry lacks sci-fi movies or those that require action. I’d like to do something like that. Something else to challenge me,” she shares. “There’s so much I’d like to do.”

A respite from her usual heavy dramas, “Love Me Tomorrow” sees Dawn as a fashion designer who catches the heart of a happy-go-lucky DJ played by Piolo. After initial misgivings about their age difference, she later on relents – but not without disapproval from her daughter (Maxene Magalona) and disdain from the younger guy’s much younger ex (Coleen).

Dawn says she took no issue with May-December affairs prior to this film, but that she came to understand it better during the course of filming “Love Me Tomorrow.”

“My stand has always been that if two people are unattached, then age doesn’t matter,” she explains. “It really happens to people.”

“Age is just a number. I don’t feel like 47; in my heart I feel like 24. I think like 24, except I’m wiser. Should it happen that you fall in love with someone younger, then I don’t think you should feel guilty about it. If both are unattached, then what is there to stop you from pursuing love?”

She says further that the Star Cinema flick will teach movie audiences that people enter our lives “for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.”

The team-up with Piolo was one that Dawn had been eyeing for years now, she reveals. That time, she had just given birth and was 40 pounds heavier, so Dawn had to watch from a distance as the hunk starred in one project after another with the hottest leading ladies in town.

“So I waited, and waited, and waited, and lost weight… and waited. Until one day, he told me he wanted to work with me. I was dumfounded. Wow, he wants to work with me!” she exclaims.

Directed by Gino Santos, “Love Me Tomorrow” opens in cinemas nationwide today. (FREEMAN)