Beauty Gonzalez’s daughter makes acting debut in ‘Paquil’

MANILA, Philippines — Beauty Gonzalez turned heads at the premiere night of Lemuel Lorca’s faith-based drama “Paquil” on Thursday, wearing a striking black vintage Filipiniana.

“I got this from Glorious Dias. Nagko-collect siya. It’s already 100 years old,” said the “Paquil” lead star during an interview.

When asked how she found the dress, she explained, “May nagbenta sa kanya na lola. May kasama pa itong belo (veil).”

Beauty then playfully mused about her future: “Kasi gusto ko, ‘pag tumanda ako, mag-da-drive ako with my black scarf, with my belo, papuntang church. Ipagdadasal ko lahat ng mga kasalanan ko araw-araw, hahaha! Tapos pag-uwi, nakabelo pa rin ako, hahaha!”

Opening in cinemas on Feb. 12, it’s not hard to see how “Paquil” gets to showcase Beauty’s luminous presence on screen — quite the contrast to her last film, the zombie-themed thriller “Outside,” where she was completely deglamorized.

Beauty Gonzalez graces the premiere night of ‘Paquil’ at SM Megamall with her daughter Olivia, who is also making her acting debut in the film. Directed by Lemuel Lorca, the faith-based movie is arriving in cinemas nationwide on Feb. 12. — Photo from SM Cinemas

Here, she’s Christina, a top star who however believes she’s already past her prime and decides to return to her childhood hometown in Pakil to help revive the dying art of komedya.

Olivia Crisologo plays the younger version of her mom’s character.

In “Paquil,” Beauty’s daughter Olivia is also making her acting debut as the younger version of the former’s character.

“At first, I agreed because I thought she would just be walking (while waving). Pagdating sa set, biglang nagkaroon ng linya, tapos maya-maya biglang iiyak,” shared Beauty, who was also joined at the premiere by husband Norman Crisologo and their daughter Olivia.

“Oh my God, kinakabahan ako but thankfully, andun yung Daddy niya, her yaya, so all of us are Team Olivia, all of us supported her and she did very well.

Beauty with leading man JM de Guzman and the rest of the cast. — Photo from the official Facebook page of ‘Paquil’

“I didn’t expect na makuha niya kaagad. Parang na-realize ko na since sinasama ko siya sa taping from when she was a baby. Ino-observe rin niya yung mga ginagawa ko.”

In a separate interview, Olivia got to share about her first acting experience.

Asked what she was thinking during her crying scene, she said, “Nothing. I just cried… No more practice, I just cried. Yeah (I had fun).”

On where she learned the acting technique, Olivia smiled, “At home.”

As for her mom’s advice on set, she said, “Just finish what you’ve started.”

However, Olivia expressed that she’s not keen on acting again anytime soon, explaining, “No, I want to finish school first.”

As for her dad, Beauty said he’s very proud of their daughter.

“He is very proud. Actually, he is here tonight. Sabi niya, ‘Huwag mo na akong interbyuhin, ha? Dun lang ako sa likod. Nobody wants to see me. All they want to see is you, guys.’

“He’s very proud and this is his only girl, so sobra siyang over the clouds. He’s very happy,” Beauty said of her hubby.

The film also stars JM de Guzman as Beauty’s leading man, alongside Yayo Aguila, Leandro Baldemor, Lilet Esteban, Kych Minemoto, Arnold Reyes, Lou Veloso and Joel Saracho.

According to direk Lemuel, “Paquil” is a “love letter” to the town of Pakil, Laguna, home to the miraculous Nuestra Señora de los Dolores de Turumba.

Meanwhile, Beauty last worked with JM in the ABS-CBN series “Angelito: Batang Ama” from 2011 to 2012.

During the presscon proper, JM said that he learned a lot from acting alongside Beauty.

“Si Beauty, nagulat ako sa kanya kasi huling naka-trabaho ko siya because I last worked with her in ‘Angelito,’ she was still doing comedy.

“But she’s so deep here in ‘Paquil.’ I know she immersed herself here. Inakyat talaga niya ang mga bundok. Tapos nung ka-eksena ko na siya, ang lalim. Mga bitaw niya, if you’re not prepared as an actor you would be shocked.

“Malalamon ka sa eksena ‘di mo mababalik. So, I’m proud to have worked with Beauty again. I’m so happy and I’m just learning a lot from her.”

Beauty went on to compliment her co-star as well.

“My God! I’m more amazed at him. Yung mata-mata lang, ‘di na ako nakakasagot sa kanya,” she reacted when told about JM’s comment.

She also praised JM’s expressive gaze. “I mean he has the most beautiful eyes. Yung parang droopy, puppy eyes.

“I mean those eyes na minsan ko lang nakikita yon sa mga actors. That they don’t need to talk but it says a lot of things. The depth, no, parang ganun.”

When asked about the most challenging scene in “Paquil,” Beauty recalled filming in freezing water.

“Maybe the challenging part for me was yung nilublob ako sa malamig na tubig talaga,” she shared.

“Dun, akala ko na parang, ‘Hay! Ginoo ko!’ Parang ang hirap umakting na nanginginig, yung kahit anong pigil ko. Parang yun ang nahirapan ako.

“But also I really enjoyed the experience, especially since I’m into antiques. And culture-related things. So I even brought my family there with me.”

With Valentine’s Day approaching, Beauty and her husband, Norman, have a special plan.

“We’re going on an epic road trip. The two of us… we’re going up North,” she revealed.

“Para kaming teenagers. We’re just gonna drive and we will just look for a hotel, kahit saan kami mapapadpad. We’re going to his hometown in Ilocos Norte.

“Pupunta kami dun, we’re gonna go up to North, to Pagudpud. And then, dadaan kami sa mga places na favorite namin on the way there.”