Every role a challenge for Janice
JANICE de Belen and Judy Ann Santos are not working for the first time in director Chito Roño’s suspense-thriller, Espantaho, for the 50th anniversary of the Metro Manila Film Festival starting December 25.
The first time Janice worked with Judy Ann was in 2012, when they did Jose Javier Reyes’ Cinemalaya 2012 entry, Mga Mumunting Lihim, with Iza Calzado and Agot Isidro.
The dramatic film won an ensemble acting for the four actresses – Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress – and was an entry in the Director’s Showcase category of 2012 Cinemalaya.
Judy Ann was already married at that time with Ryan Agoncillo. They tied the knot in 2009. This December, Janice and Juday are working together anew in director Chito Roño’s Espantaho.
“In both films, I didn’t get to work at length with Juday,” disclosed Janice. “Wala pa akong film with Juday na matagal kaming magkasama. I said yes right away when Espantaho was offered to me. I didn’t have any issues when it comes to working with other stars.”
The suspense-drama also stars Lorna Tolentino, Chanda Romero, JC Santos, Tommy Abuel, Nico Antonio, Mon Confiado and child star Kian Co.
“I think I was very young when LT and I first worked together,” shared Janice. “She played a special role in Tropang Bulilit, my film with Niño Muhlach (directed by Baby Navoa).”
When Janice works with seasoned actors, the seasoned actress admitted she was always on her toes.
“You’re all on the same league,” she said. “You’ve been acting for a long time. It’s nice to be in the work environment because when you step on the set, you get to work together.
“I continue to be challenged when I work that way, not because I get nervous when they are in front of me. I get challenged because you are only as good as your last job.
“It doesn’t mean that even when you won an award, all your other performances will be all award-winning. When you work with seasoned actors, you know everyone will be working on the set. We all take our work seriously.”
Janice is thankful that she gets to work with director Chito Roño again. “The last time I worked with him was Shake, Rattle and Roll 14 (2012). That was a bit of comedy, not a serious horror film.
“Today, malalim ang Espantaho because you don’t see who you’re up against with. Even the trends now are different so we need to keep up. Everything is different. You will not just scream and run. Hindi gano’n ngayon. Hindi na kagaya ng dati.”
When Janice talks about her children, she is always proud about what they accomplished. Four of her children finished college except Inah.
“I’m proud about Kaila because when she did everything, that was on her own,” said the mom. “I know it’s a lot of pressure on her to fill her parents’ shoes.
“There’s really nothing much you can say. When Kaila’s director shouts ‘Action!,’ you cannot teach her anymore. I don’t give her advice unless she asks me. It has been a long time since she asked for advice regarding her work.”
There are no plans yet for the network to make mother and daughter work together in a teleserye. “That’s fine with me, but Kaila does not want that to happen,” Janice said. “She’s nervous to work with me. Maybe when she’s ready.
“I don’t want Kaila to be compared to me. Before, I worked with Inah, but that was comedy. So after that, Inah does not want to work with me anymore. My children know me. Even if I don’t say anything, pumikit lang ako, alam na nila what that means.”
Most everyone knows that Janice started as a child actress in Flordeluna (1978). “Magaling na ba ako nung bata ako?,” Janice asked. “Kayo lang ang makakapag-sabi niyan.”
She does not make it a point to watch everything her children do, especially when they have TV or film projects. “So I will not make any comment,” Janice said. “Kaila has to experience everything.
“May masabing hindi maganda about her, she needs to experience that. She chose to be an actress. I experienced that. Hindi ako perfect score all the time.”
“It was important to me that they finished their studies and be able to talk well,” the mom said. “I insisted that they go to finishing school, so they know how to carry themselves.
“I’m happy that when Inah joined showbiz, she was already in a mature age. She is capable of carrying herself, talk well especially in interviews. I want them to be able to talk well and express themselves.”
Janice refuses to comment or give any advice on any issue going around. “Silence is golden, including my silence,” she maintained. “That’s really the best.”
