Carla Abellana considers Voltes V: Legacy a career milestone  

Even though the local live-action adaptation of the popular and iconic Japanese ‘70s anime TV series is crafted in the adventure-sci-fi genre or fashion, Voltes V: Legacy still rests its core on drama, about love for family aside from the impending war that will witness the strength and resilience of humans against the Boazanians.

That’s why Carla Abellana’s participation in the upcoming primetime show, whose retelling has already started in the cinemas via Voltes V Legacy: The Cinematic Experience, is, in a way, her return to a tearjerker project after a stint in the horror episode, Game Over, of Daig Kayo Ng Lola Ko last year.

From playing a supportive nurse sister, Carla is taking on the role of Dr. Mary Ann Armstrong, the mother of Steve, Robert-Big Bert and Little Jon, portrayed by Miguel Tanfelix, Matt Lozano and Raphael Landicho, respectively.

“You will see me as a doctor and as a scientist, very serious, strict, intellectual character, but she has a heart as the mother of three Voltes V boys,” said the Kapuso actress about one of the roles viewers will see her essay this year in a recent Zoom press conference. “I guess this is the first time that they will see me be part of this kind of project, which is very iconic and action-packed. It’s a milestone for me.”

It’s safe to say that she is in the thick of taping the teleserye Stolen Life, in which Carla is given the opportunity to be on the other side of the fence, that is playing kontrabida.

“I’m not just playing one character there. It’s my first time to explore that kind of a character, being a kontrabida, so it’s totally different (from what I’m used to do),” said she. “For a change, at least, they will see me playing a bad character.”

Before the viewers get to watch her work in Stolen Life, with Gabby Concepcion and Beauty Gonzalez, they will see Carla’s performance first in Voltes V: Legacy.

“I remember it was when I was still taping for To Have & To Hold, with Rocco Nacino and Max Collins, under direk Don Michael Perez,” shared Carla about how she became part of Voltes V: Legacy. “I was flattered as my first reaction. Sobrang parang totoo ba ito, hindi ako makapaniwala kasi at that time medyo ilang buwan na silang nakakapag-taping na (I told myself, ‘Is this real?’ I couldn’t believe it because I knew they were taping already). I was surprised that no one was cast yet to play Dr. Mary Ann Armstrong.”

After that initial feeling of excitement, Carla got a bit nervous after realizing that the role was big and important, and To Have & To Hold was ongoing. For some time, she kept mum about the offer.

“I said, ‘I would be honored to play the role of Dr. Mary Ann Armstrong,’ so I got excited,” she shared, “medyo mahaba yung lapse of time before ako nakapag-start (ng) taping.”

Asked if she was familiar with the animé series, Carla answered, “Growing up, I was aware of Voltes V. But in terms of generation, I believe it was my mom who got to watch it… There are still details she can remember of the original (animé TV series).”

During the group interview, Carla was also inquired how she’s been doing. Compared to last year or several months ago, she said that she feels much better nowadays.

“Mas inaalagaan ang sarili (I take better care of myself now). Let go of what you cannot control. Siyempre maraming pagtatanggap (of course, there’s a lot of acceptance) about myself, whatever I could let go like anything toxic, bad or negative, and always be grateful, like counting your blessings every day and (doing things) that will help me. Yun naman po ang aking ginagawa. I guess, it’s effective,” said she.

Since the Voltes V: Legacy narrative also touches on power (ability) or super power (special ability) to deal a superpower, she said that moving on is a super power.

“Parang lahat naman tayo ay may kakayahan sa ganuong super power, lalo na’t kapag babae (All of us are capable of such super power, especially if you’re a woman). I give a lot of credit to women most especially because in the life of a woman, ang dami nating na-e-endure, natitiis, kinakaya (we have endured and surpassed many things),” Carla said.

“Parang pakiramdam ko o paniniwala ko (ay) lahat tayo ay may ganuong super power, lalo na kapag wala tayong ibang choice kundi talagang bumangon, tumayo, kumilos po ulit, makapag-function ng maayos, tanggapin lahat lang ng dumadating sa buhay o nawawala. (I feel or believe that we all have that super power, especially when we have no other choice but to really get up, stand up, move again, function properly, just accept everything that comes to our life or disappears.)”

Following her train of thought, one could say that she was referring to the breakdown of her marriage. Carla also acknowledged the help and support people, including her family, gave her, as well as her faith. She took things “one day at a time,” as she put it.

During this time, the role of Dr. Mary Ann Armstrong presented itself to her. Carla said it came at the right time because she was excited to go back to work and act again.

As soon as the taping for Stolen Life is completed, Carla will focus on her soap-making business, which she has already jumpstarted.

(Voltes V: Legacy: The Cinematic Experience, which covers the first three weeks of the upcoming TV series, is showing exclusively in SM Cinemas until April 25. The show will premiere on GMA primetime on May 8.)