Isabel off the beaten track

Playing the scheming Rosita Monteverde on GMA 7’s latest sine novela titled Maging Akin Ka Lamang is Isabel Oli’s most off-beat role to date on both small and big screen. For inspiration, Isabel has Glenn Close of Fatal Attraction, Demi Moore of Indecent Proposal and Lorna Tolentino, who played Rosita in the Lino Brocka movie version and won a Famas Best Actress award for her portrayal. The sine novela, which premieres today after Daisy Siete, also stars Nadine Samonte as Elsa Paruel and Polo Ravales as Andy Abrigo, Rosita’s object of fantasy.

“I watched the movie,” shares Isabel on the preparation she made for the role. “I also checked out movies like Fatal Attraction with obsession as theme. It is fun playing kontrabida for a change. When the idea of playing Rosita was broached to me, I was surprised and had apprehensions. I started to like the character when they (the executives) explained to me everything. They told me I have the look and poise of Rosita. Besides, the project is a welcome change since I’ve been playing goody-goody roles for quite sometime. My being maldita is not the typical screaming and confrontational type. Rosita disguises her nastiness with sweetness and kindness.” This is the real deal of becoming Rosita on TV, adds Isabel. 

Learning to fall for the man who will  never reciprocate her love and to do everything to win him, however, is just half the battle to get into the psyche of Rosita. Isabel has to do some makeover with her looks to play the part well.

The GMA Artist Center talent hires her own stylist to make sure she looks glamorous and fabulous all the time just like Lorna did in the movie. Isabel  even provides her own wardrobe to make her every appearance grand.

Isabel says she considers this a career move and that she wants to become a character actor and essay juicy, meaty roles in the future. After all, she has played many an endearing, lovely role on cam as she does off cam. It is time Isabel to spread her wings.

But no matter how aggressively she tries to be in the shoes of Rosita, Isabel falters in scenes that require her to be edgy or a vamp.

“I had a hard time doing and preparing for the rape scene which my character initiated with Andy (Polo),” recalls Isabel. “I made Andy drunk to make love with me. That was really tough for someone who is not that really aggressive in that aspect. But I had to do it because Rosita wanted to have a real connection with Andy. I thank director Gil Tejada who is supportive and patient with me. We just shot the scene once.”

If Rosita lacks and craves for attention and love, Isabel has more than enough with boyfriend Paolo Contis, who gave a sterling performance as a good cop in the Metro Manila Film Festival entry Banal.

Isabel says things are getting better between her and Paolo after their five-month breakup. Isabel also adds that their fans won’t hear wedding bells ringing anytime soon. She and Paolo are focused on their careers. Besides, marriage can wait.

Asked if there’s a possibility that she might get obsessed with someone, Isabel answers, “It’s not my personality. If ever I veer toward that direction, I will pray hard not to become obsessed. What I know is that I’m aggressive with my work. I’m willing to give more.”