Being ‘bad’ is good for Gladys

MANILA, Philippines — When it comes to playing contravida roles, it is hard to miss Gladys Reyes on the list. What makes her perfect as an antagonist is not the way she attacks the role but the kind of personality she brings to life on screen.

According to Gladys, there is no need to put much effort on her looks. Her facial features alone can do the work. “’Yung mukha ko pa lang mataray na so laking pasalamat ko na di ba? (laughs). But I also have to thank Nanay Lolit (Solis) because it was she who told me to go for contravida (roles) when I was just starting. She said, ‘Wag ka na makipag-agawan sa slot na bida kasi una hindi sweet ang mukha mo. Hindi ka mukhang bida.’”

She adds, “Besides, at that time ako lang ang batang contravida since all of my contemporaries were afraid to be hated by people and because of Nanay Lolit, I got the courage to try doing it and thankfully, the viewers liked it. Mukha ko pa lang kasi convincing na (laughs).”

In fact, Gladys cuts a picture of calmness yet exudes an annoying aura as Amanda Melendez in the second season of the GMA 7 primetime series Inday Will Always Love You (IWALY). She intends to be that way, believing that her character doesn’t need to raise her eyebrows or shout at the top of her lungs just to let everyone know that she is the villain.

“I’m glad that the bosses here are open to suggestions. They ask me what do I want for my character but of course, the final decision is up to them. Sometimes, I suggest additional lines that I think will suit the character and also, the situation must be convincing enough knowing that people nowadays do not buy it when it’s too exaggerated.”

If you are tuned in to IWALY night after night, then you’ll know that Gladys’ Amanda is now the CEO of the company once owned by Philip Fuentes (Ricky Davao) who returns to the simple life with his wife Marta Magtibay-Fuentes (Manilyn Reynes) and daughter Happylou (Barbie Forteza).

Gladys adds that she admires Barbie for being “so game” in their confrontation scenes that often require them to “fight and resort to sheer physicality.”

“You won’t ever hear Barbie complain for the sake of making our scenes convincing and effective na kahit buhusan mo ng champorado, she’s fine. And I think, even villain roles have leveled up as compared to before. The scenes now are closer to reality and the approach has become more mature.”

However, Gladys reveals that a part of her real personality is still visible on cam even while portraying Amanda. “’Yung mga sundot na patawa, very Gladys yun and my friends would tell me that I should’ve been a comedian and not a contravida. That’s why I’m so happy that there is a touch of comedy but (it) still comes out very irritating.”

Her daughter, Aquisha, is among those who get affected by her acting. Gladys is often being confronted by her daughter whenever she sees her maltreating Barbie’s Inday while watching the soap at home.

“I always end up explaining to her that it’s just acting and that Mommy won’t hurt anybody in real life,” says Gladys who, by the way, has three other children with husband Christopher Roxas. They are Gian Christopher, Grant and Gavin.

The actress also appreciates how the bashers seem convinced with what she does. “No negative comments, so far. They love me; they all love to hate me in a good way.”