Eugene is happy with LDR romance

While many agree that maintaining a long-distance relationship (LDR) is often a herculean task, Eugene Domingo finds it easier to make her love life with Italian Danilo Bottoni a happy and rosy one even if they are thousand miles away from each other.

Technological advancement has helped in keeping their communication line open at all times. “These days, there are different (digital) applications where you can regularly communicate so it’s (distance) not a problem anymore,” said Eugene, also popularly known as Uge, after the media gathering for Ang Babae sa Septic Tank: The Real Untold Story of Josephine Bracken that is set to start streaming on July 17 on iWant. “Plus, ipon-ipon lang din ng pamasahe to be with him (laughs).”

Kidding aside, Eugene also believes that being creative is another way to make LDR successful “because sometimes, it’s not really the distance that causes problems in the endurance of your love life or relationship.”

She is hoping that her now three-year romance with the Italian film critic will lead to swapping of “I do’s” in the future.

“Lahat naman tayo di ba nangangarap ng kapayapaan pagdating sa aspeto ng settling down. But as of this moment, I am very happy and I’m very thankful na, ayun na nga.”

The actress revealed that she has not experienced yet having a Filipino boyfriend from showbiz or being in a relationship as serious as what she has now. But she often hears people telling her that she’s meant to find true love in a foreigner.

“I don’t understand why they keep on telling me, ‘Alam mo ikaw kaya hindi ka nagkakaroon ng boyfriend na Filipino, kasi pang foreigner ka. Hindi ko maintindihan ‘yun. I didn’t plan this. I base on my (gut) feeling regardless if he’s a Filipino or Italian. When I saw him, I knew that he’s the one.”

She is certainly happy and truly in love with her boyfriend. The two met during the Far East Film Festival where Eugene’s film Barber’s Tales was featured. “Ang saya, ang sarap saka tamang-tama lang. Hindi naman kami masyadong nagmamadali sa lahat ng bagay. Sakto lang. We are still young,” she quipped.

However, Eugene neither confirmed nor denied about being engaged to Danilo. She was initially at a loss for better words to explain, and later on she said, “We’re almost there. It’s like he is my life.”

Asked what if her boyfriend would decide to propose to her, Eugene replied that she would say “Yes” right away. “I’m in the right age to marry. Ano pa bang iniingatan n’yo sa akin (laughs)?”

Would she also be willing to live in Italy?

“Of course,” she responded quickly, adding, “But I’m not saying I’m gonna retire as an actress because an actor never retires. It’s not like work that when you reach 60 years old, you’ll stop and then receive your pension. You can act until you reach 100 (years old). But if it will call for more time to be spending in Italy, then yes.”

Speaking of acting, Eugene didn’t hesitate about reprising her role as a megalomaniacal and egotistical version of herself in Ang Babae sa Septic Tank: The Real Untold Story of Josephine Bracken knowing fully well that it will be part of the digital series of the streaming content platform iWant. The first two installments of Ang Babae sa Septic Tank became hits among moviegoers.

Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 3 lead star Eugene Domingo says she has a smooth-sailing romance with Italian boyfriend Danilo Bottoni for three years now and she is willing to settle down with him in Italy some day.

Eugene is aware that digital series is the trend these days so “kailangan sumasakay, sumasabay in order to reach a lot of people. We need to reach those people whose only time is to watch movies or series through iWant. So, sali tayo d’yan.”

Although it’s a pressure to be at her acting best in Septic Tank 3, Eugene said she’s more excited knowing that it will reach a wider market “at mas makapal ang pupuntahan dahil series ito na aabot sa seven episodes.”

Written by Chris Martinez and directed by Marlon Rivera, the mockumentary series documents the step-by-step process in making a historical biopic. Eugene’s character pushes the boundaries of her talents and dares to direct, portray the lead character and produce her own film about the Irish mestiza Bracken known as the great love of Jose Rizal.

Eugene is joined by Tony Labrusca, Joanna Ampil, Mylene Dizon who will portray as Jose Rizal, Narcisa and Saturnina, respectively. Director Joey Reyes portrays himself and as direk Uge’s screenwriter who becomes her unwilling partner in crime.

Direk Chris, in the press release, stated, “In this era of fakery, fake news and faking history, Ang Babae sa Septic Tank: The Real Untold Story of Josephine Bracken is easily the funniest, most relevant and most entertaining series you can find on iWant.”

Filipino historian Ambeth Ocampo will provide historical facts to ground viewers on the true stories and shocking trivia surrounding the historical characters.    

(Ang Babae sa Septic Tank 3 is a joint venture of Quantum Films and Dreamscape Digital.)