What lured Hilda back

Manila, Philippines -  After a lengthy absence, Hilda Koronel is back in the country to star in the Star Cinema film The Mistress.

Asked on what made her accept the movie, Hilda, who has been based in the US for several years now, said it was the “script.”

“(As in the past) with every offer that I get, I must see a script,” Hilda said in a presscon last Saturday.

In The Mistress, the comeback film of the John Lloyd Cruz-Bea Alonzo love team, Hilda plays the wife of Ronaldo Valdez, whose character gets involved with a young woman portrayed by Bea. The film is directed by Olivia Lamasan.

“I’ve worked with them (John Lloyd and Bea) before. John Lloyd was my son in a teleserye. That was one of the considerations (in accepting the project) — working with them,” Hilda added.

Did the multi-awarded actress ever give pointers to the two, whether in their previous or present project together?

“No,” was her adamant reply. “I never give advice unless I’m asked to. I would never presume than I’m better than (my co-actors).”

Hilda, who’s celebrating her 43rd year in showbiz, also said she’s open to doing soaps. Even after she left for the States to be with her husband, Filipino-American lawyer/businessman Ralph Moore Jr., she didn’t run out of TV offers from different networks. She’s also interested in doing indie films.

She said it feels heart-warming that her acting is still being actively sought out. “It’s really nice na naalala ka pa nila.”

Hilda admitted that when she’s in the States, she doesn’t miss acting. “Except when I would watch the old movies, especially since my husband is addicted to old movies, I would miss it. So, once in a while, I’m willing to do projects especially if it’s a really good one.”

At the presscon, Hilda was accompanied by her husband of 12 years, Ralph, who happily shared their love story.

Ralph related, “I used to live in Greenhills and every morning, I used to jog 10 laps around Virra Mall (now V-Mall). One morning, as I was on my third lap, I came around the corner and I ran into her that I almost knocked her down. What she was wearing I will never forget, she had (shades) and a gray sweatsuit on, and I said, ‘Excuse me.’

“And you know when time stands still. It just stuck. I said to myself, who was that? I thought, on my next round, I’m going to meet her. So I ran around, but I couldn’t find her. Every morning after that, I kept looking for her and didn’t see her.

“Two weeks later, my secretary came into my office and said, ‘Sir, Ms. Hilda Koronel is in our reception area, inquiring about your product.’ And I said, ‘Who’s Hilda Koronel?’ And she said that she’s probably one of the most famous actresses ever. And so I went out to meet her… and there she was. That’s the story.”

So, what has Hilda been doing in the States for the past years?

She said, smiling, “Shopping. Relaxing. I’m just having a good time with my husband. My only son is all grown-up now; he’s already 21. All my kids are professionals already. So, hindi na ako masyadong stressed. So, I take care of my dog, my cat, my husband and my son.”

The first two years, Hilda confessed, was very hard. “Siempre, I was lonely. One time, my husband and I were watching The Filipino Channel, we were both crying. I remember somebody was asking me, ‘What do you miss most?’ ‘I miss my maids.’ (Laughs.) Of course, I miss my kids, but also I miss my maids (laughs)…and the people I work with. Kasi madalas kang nag-so-solo sa bahay.”

These days, things are obviously running great for Hilda. Even as she exudes contentment and happiness, she, nevertheless, said that when she left the Philippines, it never occurred to her to retire and leave showbiz for good. “I never thought about leaving it forever. I was just having a vacation. Now, the timing just felt right. Everything is in order that I could come back.”