One of the lead actresses in Andoy Ranay’s Open, a film in competition entry in this year’s Pista ng Pelikulang Pilipino, a flagship project of the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), is Ina Raymundo.
Raymundo sizzled and made sparks fly during the 90s, as the iconic Sabado Nights girl for the country’s national beer.
Dusky, petite, with a girly gait and a woman of the world aura, seeing and interviewing her now, is nothing but a throwback moment because the years have truly been kind to her. She continues to be in her fighting form despite having five children, and married for 19 years.
Clad in a white undergarment top and electric pleated skirt, she expresses her sentiments regarding the label, the Philippines hottest momma.
Ina says, rather demurely: “Of course, it is flattering. It is even nakakakilig. What I do, however, I don’t want that idea to sink in my mind to the point I can tell my husband, ‘Honey, so many fancy me. And they are all younger. And richer. So, I may just pick one and leave you and good riddance.”
She blurts a womanly laugh after her statement. Raymundo carries on: “You know, I take care of myself because I have to, I am a mother of five, it is easy to let go, and you know, be losyang, right? I want to live long for my husband, my children and my future grandchildren. My family is my driving force. Eating healthy, daily exercise, regular consultation with my doctor, all the works needed for wellness, count me in.”
She is an almost two decade marriage with husband Bryan Poturnak. “He is my soul mate,” Mrs. Poturnak enthuses. “And I can say one of my best friends. Kasi kami, open lagi ang communication lines namin. We always converse. It helps that he has no insecurities. He knows and respect my work as an actress.”
After the family update, she shares about her character in Open whose name is Erika.
Raymundo comes clean: “Erika is my lucky name. My eldest daughter’s name is Erika. When I won best actress for an international film festival, Erika was also my character’s name. Here in Open, Erika ulit.”
What does he think of JC Santos? Ina avers, “My co-actors, JC and Arci Munoz, these two are amazing. Sobra silang generous kapag ka-eksena mo sila. Pareho silang brilliant. At ang guapo ni JC at ang ganda ni Arci on screen.”
Ina describes Erika as: “A woman who knows what she wants and she knows how to get what she wants. She is empowered in that sense but also vulnerable. She also has an endearing side and I think many women, will relate to her causes, flaws and humanity.”
The First Gentleman of T-REX Entertainment Rex Tiri, opens why he produced this film, “It is a brave concept that is aligned to TREX’ tagline “productions that matters”.
He adds: “I want to have a discourse on the issue because sobrang taboo yung topic. It is a good feeling when somehow, you are instrumental in letting people see a different perspective to something that most people frown about or detest it simply because it is not within our societal or cultural DNA.”
Andoy Ranay’s Open is showing Sept. 13 to 19 in all cinemas nationwide.
