Since Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko was a consistent top-rater, many ask if Tom Rodriguez is under any pressure with the performance of his new soap titled Dragon Lady, which took over the timeslot of its predecessor.
“I don’t consider it a challenge that we’re replacing Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko. I enjoyed watching that program when it aired. I always watched it in the afternoon.”
Instead, the be-dimpled actor who stars opposite Janine Gutierrez in the fantasy drama expressed his excitement.
“It’s a fact that they did well in their timeslot. If that’s what we have to follow and the standard we have to keep, then I know we’re in good hands. Well, we’ll air up to Saturdays and that’s the point I’m quite nervous at.”
Tom knows it is one feat achieved by Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko (topbilled by Kris Bernal, Rayver Cruz, and Thea Tolentino) during its airing period.
“I haven’t done it before and the fact that they were able to do it with flying colors, it inspires us to prolong that winning streak. We want to emulate them. I hope we won’t let them down and be able to keep the spirit of how successful they are.”
Interestingly, in Dragon Lady, he plays a legitimate Chinese character and he was required to study the Mandarin language. This made him remember his initial days in the local ‘biz when he had to learn to speak Tagalog for his career growth.
“I flew from the US to become a housemate in Pinoy Big Brother in 2009. After my stint in PBB, I stayed in the office of Pinoy Dream Academy where I got to meet the late director Wenn Deramas. He told me that though I have the looks, if I won’t study Tagalog, my future roles will always be a ‘balikbayan.’ That’s what challenged me,” ends Tom.
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According to Max Collins, she has been a victim of cheating in her earlier relationships.
“Oh, many times! But I don’t really feel bad about it,” she says.
The lovely actress admits that, in a way, she is at fault too.
“I was very nice and forgiving to my former lovers. I’d let them get away with it. When they asked for forgiveness, my heart instantly melted.”
Max realized that self-respect is important.
“You don’t have to be an idiot. You shouldn’t be super-duper kind. You have to show respect for yourself as a person so others would also respect you. There are indications that he’s cheating on you and yet, you just close your eyes on the issue, she says.
“Until you will come to a point when you will get tired and say to yourself, ‘Enough!’ When your partner is a cheater, you will lose your love for him in the process. I guess, it really boils down to self-respect,” Max adds.
All her jaded perception of love changed when she met now-husband Pancho Magno.
“I think he is the only one who showed me what it’s like to be somebody who really commits. All of the other guys were just like, they never showed me someone that I can respect in the future. It’s only Pancho. I know I can respect him forever and he’ll be a good family man. It’s hard to find a man like that these days, right?” avers Max.