Cherry Pie: Is the change for real?

In the newest ABS-CBN primetime soap opera, the Jericho-Rosales-and-Christine-Hermosa starrer, Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas, audiences are pleasantly surprised to see a new Cherry Pie Picache: glamorous and much trimmer, every inch a star. After all, Cherry Pie’s versatility is not limited to her varied performances and characterizations. She can alter even her looks.

"I guess that’s part of being an actor," Cherry Pie says. "One should not only be able to act her part well. One should also look the part." Cherry Pie was heaviest when she was pregnant with her now one-year-old boy, Anton, and months after giving birth to this sole inspiration of her life.

"Good thing my past roles didn’t require me to look fit and trim. In American Adobo, I was a frumpy old maid. In Mila, I was an aging streetwalker. In Paraisong Parisukat, a matronic spinster. In Noon at Ngayon, I was a woman who always give birth. Losyang din," she says with a laugh.

Cherry Pie’s figure then provided the necessary texture to her characterizations. That proved a blessing than a curse come awards-giving season. Last summer, she was consistently nominated for acting honors for the above-mentioned films, a very strong contender if not the winner. If fact, for American Adobo, Cherry Pie’s peers at the Film Academy of the Philippines named her Best Supporting Actress of the year.

"I consider that award most significant not only because it was my first acting award for film but more so because it was my peers who recognized my talent," the underrated Cherry Pie and long-overdue acting awardee says.

"When Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas was offered to me and the role I’d portray was explained to me, I was immediately excited," she says. "The role of Elizabeth is not only good and challenging. I will be forced to go on a diet!

"Finally I’ll be joining the ranks of Philippine TV’s roster of glamorous contravidas that includes Eula Valdez, Jean Garcia, Princess Punzalan and now Tita Glo (Gloria Romero)."

It is with Gloria Romero, who plays Cherry Pie’s scheming mother-in-law that she pits her talent, claw for claw. And it is a delight to watch the two actresses exchange fire with different approaches – Gloria with her bravura acting and Cherry Pie with her restrained but smoldering wickedness.

"The funny thing is, for my next assignment with Seiko Films and my first with director Jeffrey Jeturian, my director wants me hefty and plump," Cherry Pie says, winking mischievously.

For the forthcoming Metro Filmfest entry, tentatively entitled Bridal Shower, Cherry Pie plays a loveless, sexless advertising executive who turns to the Internet for surrogate sex partners. She subsequently falls for a macho dancer.

"How will I live up to that change of image? I’ll be back to one of my truly great loves – eating!"

Cherry Pie’s infectious laughter reverberates this time.