FIL-AM songwriter Rutherine Umali used to write music, produce and perform in the music industry. When the pandemic happened, she had to recalibrate and re-evaluate life itself.

“Acting is one of the things I wanted to do in life, so I thought it’s about time to pursue it,” shared Umali. “I got involved in the film, ‘Boneyard,’ because I am friends with the producers themselves.

“The main producers and I were working on funding on a different project (which is still pending). Meanwhile, as they were working on ‘Boneyard,’ one of the stunt associates (and also executive producer on some of the film projects) called me to be one of the prostitutes who would die. I said sure!”

Fortunately, Rutherine didn’t have to audition for her role in “Boneyard” that topbills award-winning actor-director Mel Gibson, with Asif Akbar at the helm. The film tells about the tragic awareness of the West Mesa murders case and countless other victims without voices.

“I like how the director puts us in the mood before calling for action and gave us clear instructions on how he wants his film to look like,” shared Rutherine about her megman.

“I liked how they would feed us breakfast, lunch, dinner and snacks in between them all. We are just too spoiled. We don’t really do much when it comes to backgrounds other than being a spectator of the wonderful things being done on the set.

“We were not allowed to take pictures or videos on the set unless I am friends with the producers and it’s an independent film.”

Rutherine didn’t get to meet the star of the film, Mel Gibson. Neither did she meet another star, 50 Cent, while doing her role in “Boneyard.”

However, Rutherine met the other actors in the cast such as Tom Sizemore, Neal McDonough, Bai Ling, Philip Tan and Arnold Chon. “They were not A-list actors, but they are great performers,” she said.

Rutherine started acting just a little right after the pandemic. She was born in the Philippines, then left in 1996.

“I moved to Libya first, then Italy then Las Vegas,” Rutherine said. “I would get lost if you bring me back to the Philippines. I would need a tour guide. I’m not too sure how to answer how much of me is Filipino. I wouldn’t know how to quantify that.

“My mom, dad, two brothers and a sister, we moved to the US from Italy for better opportunities. My dad’s an American citizen. We were his dependents back then. So we just went where the flow was.”

Rutherine has been living on her own since her teenage years. “My mom is still very strong. She doesn’t have to live with any of her children at the moment.”

Rutherine still speaks Tagalog 100 percent. She doesn’t eat Filipino food since she is now vegan.

“Before I started being vegan, I didn’t eat shrimp, pork, lobster, seafood (scavenger animals),” she admitted. “Here in Vegas, I would have to go to Seafood City grocery store to buy all of those ingredients to cook Filipino food, which is not convenient for me because it’s far.

“So even before the clean diet, I didn’t eat a lot of Filipino food. I was probably influenced also by my American friend and roommate Amanda. We grew up together for so many years. We ate whatever was convenient to make. We ate out a lot, too.”

Rutherine still associates with her Filipino friends, Filipino communities and Filipino churches. “I perform in Filipino concerts, too,” she said. “I’m in love with the Filipinos for sure! The culture I take is neither Filipino nor American.

“I go by the Bible standards. It doesn’t matter where I move. I carry the morals with me and the God standards. Am I perfect or am I Jesus walking around on earth perfect? Of course not. But the Bible is my guide on how to live.”

When Rutherine’s family got to the US, her father died right away in a car accident. “So I had to force myself to become independent at a young age,” she said. “My mom, at that time, lived in the Philippines and she was the dean in Nursing at Emilio Aguinaldo College.

She didn’t have plans to move to the US anytime soon. Rutherine was forced to survive.

“I would like to tap into producing movies on a major scale,” she said. “My family comes from the medical field. They were probably frustrated that I chose show business when I was young and growing up.

“It wasn’t encouraged but it wasn’t put down. Show business is not something anyone could rely on, they say. Now that I’m grown up, they don’t really care what I do in life. They’re just happy that I’m doing something.

“My mom said, ‘Either you get married or pursue your dreams. Don’t just pay your bills.’ I don’t care if you have to pursue showbusiness, just do something. I also would like to pursue doing things in the Kingdom of God, one way or another.”

“I get pure satisfaction each and every time I act and do it well,” Rutherine added. “I also feel that way when I perform onstage. I don’t have acting idols. But my music influences are Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez. Among Filipino artists, I like Donna Cruz.”