Mylene on acting in the new normal

Mylene Dizon is one reliable actress, who can essay bida, kontrabida and bida-kontrabida roles in mainstream and independent projects. Away from the klieg lights, she is a doting mother, who only wants the best for her two sons, Tomas and Lucas, and sees the importance of quality family time.

“For me, it’s the best ever,” said Mylene of the lockdown experience everybody dealt with during these trying times in a recent media call. The Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit star looked on the bride side of things. “It became so enjoyable because we got to spend so much time with our children. It’s not one of those na yung nagsawa ka, na parang sana may trabaho na ako (It’s not one of those moments when you’ve had enough and you want to work and go outside). It (the experience) was nice.” Mylene is coming from a place where work requires her and fellow creative people to stay up late and go home in the wee hours of the morning. “We work three to four times a week na pagod na pagod kami (and we are exhausted),” she shared. “(The lockdown experience) was like a nice breather. It’s fun to be with children every day, to cook for them every day and to see them every day. (It) is just really wonderful.”

Mylene was able to recharge her energy and ready when her Afternoon Primetime block show resumed taping after lockdown restrictions had been eased.

“Well, there were many, many changes, especially in the script,” hinted the Kapuso star of how the pandemic changed the Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit narrative. “(With) the script, inayos nila (they updated it) in such a way that we could use the entire location as different locations in the story. They had to revise (it) and they had to revise the scenes so that there would be no physical contact as much as possible.” Intimate scenes such as embracing and kissing were implied. The effect, however, was the same.

“Well, I think these are the things we (will do constantly), I think it’s going to be like this for a while,” Mylene said. “These are the new changes (and norms) that we really have to embrace. I know it wasn’t easy for the whole team to mount it again because it was already written in a certain way. We already started the first half (of the drama series and the challenge was) how (the team) would continue the second half (without the audience noticing that there were) limitations (that needed to be considered).”

As for the lock-in taping experience and acting in the new normal, Mylene had this to say: “Yes, this seems to be ideal because every day you’re in character. You’re in tune with the story every day. And being in one location with everybody, you’re able to grow as a team more, not just individually. It is ideal but we tend to miss our families. That’s the only drawback for me. But it’s a matter of getting used to it and I’m OK with it.”

Followers can expect new episodes of Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit come January. In the meantime, they have to treat themselves to the drama series’ recap as they revisit the his/her story of every character. Mylene’s Magnolia “Nolie” dela Cruz is one.

“Well, that is the challenge there,” answered Mylene when asked about keeping the enthusiasm in portraying almost the same roles. “(The challenge) with (acting in) soap operas is hindi talaga maiiwasan na magkaka-pare-pareho yung mga roles natin (we can’t avoid it). That is the challenge there and that’s what keeps me, I think, on my toes still.”

The actor’s creativity and commitment to study the character and the script do wonders for Mylene to make her character look fresh and deliver an inspired performance.

With Laurice Guillen at the helm of Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit, does Mylene see herself directing a soap or a movie in the future?

“When I was still in college, (becoming a) director was one of my dreams,” said Mylene. “Now, parang wala (ito) sa horizon ko.” She added that she’s not closing her door to the possibility of becoming an actor’s director. Perhaps, Mylene will cross that bridge when she gets there.

For now, her eyes are on acting and she embraces the new-normal way of working.

(Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit airs weekdays on GMA 7.