Trophy b*tch
MANILA, Philippines - Weather disturbances seem to characterize Supreme’s cover shoots with Cristine Reyes. Shortly after Ondoy’s catastrophic floods in 2009, we replicated her “up on the roof” moment, complete with a Rajo Laurel gown made of intertwined plastic, as a reminder of what causes the waters to rise.
The day of this shoot is serendipitously scheduled between successive storms, albeit with heavy downpours to brave and fresh from the massive blackout brought about by typhoon Glenda. Almost five years later, since we were first caught off-guard, it’s clear that our days of dismissively enjoying the “bed weather” are never coming back.
Cristine herself doesn’t exactly conjure up calm images — from short-lived relationships to impulsive, candid statements that have driven fans, colleagues, family and The Buzz up a wall. Even when she played the aggrieved wife in No Other Woman, the context of scandal was more visible than her righteous tears.
Her next movie, the suspense-drama Trophy Wife, seems to bank on that (and her one-month relationship with Derek Ramsay, which shook entertainment headlines). Here, she plays Lani, a sweet and innocent girl from the province who falls in love with Chino (Ramsay), a rich guy from Manila. When Chino leaves her, Lani learns to crave revenge. Her intricate, obsessive plans include marrying Chino’s brother, Sammy (John Estrada), and enlisting Chino’s current girlfriend, Gwen (Heart Evangelista), into the plot.
Unlike most local actors, though, who predictably spout the lines, “Ibang ____ ang makikita niyo dito,” as if their roles somehow merged with who they were, Cristine doesn’t bother hiding her detachment. “She’s a character,” she shrugs in a matter of fact manner. “I just read my script, and that’s it.” Here you start to realize that despite the perceived similarities between Cristine the person and the ways her industry likes to ride on the sometimes-negative effects of her candor, there are caricatures that have been drawn; lines that have been blurred.
Behind the caricature
She describes herself, “I’m just a simple girl. I’m just working and saving money. I am both good and bad. When I’m happy, I’m good. When I’m pissed, I’m really pissed. When I’m starving, I’m pissed. Simple as that.”
About the real-life implications of someone like Lani, she says, “There is no need to manipulate a man or any person. If someone really likes or loves you, you wouldn’t have to. You don’t ‘get’ what you want. If it’s there, then it’s for you. If it’s not there, it’s not for you. You just have to accept it,” she says pragmatically. No drama. No romanticizing. No eagerness to make you appreciate her psycho ex of a character. She then proceeds to dutifully portray screaming angst and mocking defiance for the camera. And as soon as she doesn’t need the image, she lets it go. She sits down to remove her makeup. And with her black, smoky eye now spread out all over her face with cleansing oil, she turns around. “Gusto niyo mag-shoot? Joke.
“After this, I have another film with Anne (Curtis). It’s actually done already. It’s a comedy film, so there’s no husband or wife there,” she shares.
We ask Cristine what she looks forward to. Any dream roles? “Actually wala na. I’m content. I’m just working and basically just saving for myself and my future. That’s it.”
She invites movie goers to watch Trophy Wife on July 30, with premieres at Glorietta and Megamall on July 29. What will people get out of the movie, we ask. “Entertainment,” she answers curtly.
In the fantasy that showbiz perpetuates, Cristine Reyes gets her power from being a seductress slash bitch. In the real world, she gets it simply from knowing where she stands; knowing what’s real and what isn’t; knowing what bullsh*t she doesn’t need to sell you. It’s less theatrical, and perhaps not exciting enough for mainstream Pinoy showbiz. But any woman who truly has her life together knows that it’s what works.
* * *
Tweet the author @catedeleon
