MAX Collins has just renewed her contract as a Kapuso with GMA Artist Center. She had a zoom presscon for this, but press people invited to the affair were quickly warned not to ask any personal questions about the reported break up of her marriage to actor Pancho Magno.

The same thing happened in the zoom presscon for “Nerisa” as writers were warned beforehand not to ask questions about Aljur Abrenica’s separation from wifey Kylie Padilla as revealed by his own father-in-law no less, Robin Padilla.

But in fairness to Max, even without anyone asking it (although Rose Garcia asked her again about it later), she explained why their son, Skye, had separated first birthday parties, which is the reason why everyone suspected that she and Pancho are now separated.

“Magkaiba ang parties because I have my friends who hosted the party for our baby and Pancho wasn’t there kasi he’s busy at may taping siya,” she explains. “So Pancho held another party for him sa next birthday mismo ni Skye, held naman sa bahay namin. Kaso may endorsement shoot naman ako that time, so ako naman ang wala roon. Our son is happy in both parties. He’s growing up really so fast and I’m just loving my every moment with him.”

Max and Pancho faced the altar on December 11, 2017 at Marriott Hotel. We’ve followed Max’s career since she started at ABS-CBN using the name Isabel Abiera. She was only 13 when she was launched as part of Star Magic Batch 15 in 2007 along with her cousin Megan Young, her good friend Jessy Mendiola, and Sophie Albert. Now, they’re all first time moms. Also part of that batch was Bela Padilla whose name then was still Krista Sullivan.

Everyone was urging her to join a beauty pageant then, but she said her passion is really in acting. Nothing much was happening with her in ABS, so in 2012, she moved to GMA-7 and her first project was “The Good Daughter” with Kylie Padilla.

And now, Max’s first project in her new contract with GMA is a new drama series titled “To Love and to Hold” where she shares topbilling with Rocco Nacino and Carla Abellana. How is it renewing her contract with GMA?

“I’m so happy to renew my contract as I wouldn’t be where I am now without GMA,” she says. “It’s been a decade and I’ve been so blessed in my career because of GMA as it always gives me good projects even when I didn’t believe in myself. I feel that this is the best time in my career and I’m really in my prime.”

The story of “To Love and to Hold” is about infidelity. What’s her role?

“My role is Dominic and she is a very brave character. May mga ginawa siya na akala mo mali, so I have to humanize the character para naman viewers will have to understand her. Actually all the characters are victims of circumstances. We’re all flawed characters, lahat may issues, nobody is perfect. But there are a lot of layers sa kuwento, you will also see the good side of each of us. The show is actually about how to forgive and how to love each other again. Medyo sexy ang show, daring even for Rocco, but kailangan talaga ‘yun dahil sa concept ng show, but it’s backed up by great writing.”

They have finished the first leg of their lock in taping and it was difficult for her because of Skye. “It’s hard to leave my son when I’m working away from him sa first lock in taping ng ‘To Have and to Hold’, but I always think I’m doing this for him. It’s good na baby pa lang siya at hindi pa marunong humabol. Pero sa facetime, parang hindi pa niya ako kilala. But now, bumabawi na lang ako while we’re together. Pero before the end of the month we’ll be going to lock in taping, so I’ll have to be away from him again. Ang kagandahan lang ng lock in taping is we have more time to prepare, so I was able to prepare well for my role in ‘To Love and to Hold’, more than any other role I’ve done before.”

She loves being a wife and mother. “But first and foremost, I’m an actress, and ayokong matabunan ‘yun ng pagiging wife and mom ko. Naiintindihan naman ‘yun ni Pancho. Kapag nanay ka na kasi, you want to do better in your career, simply because I want my son to be proud of me when he grows up.”

Sean from traumatic childhood to having a good movie career

SEAN De Guzman is a very daring young man who bared his all in his launching flick “Anak ng Macho Dancer”. But actually, his first movie is “Lockdown” as it was filmed ahead of “Anak”.

“Nauna lang pong ipalabas yung ‘Anak’ at yung ‘Lockdown’, ngayon pa lang po ire-release on July 23 sa KTX,” he says at the presscon of his new movie, “Nerisa”, his first project with Viva Films where he is paired with AJ Raval.

Sean started as a member of the boyband Clique 5, where Marco Gomez of “Silab” also started. He’s glad he can now be of help to his family. He had a very sad childhood as his mom and dad separated because his dad got into drugs. His mom was working in Bahrain and his dad squandered the money sent by his mom into drugs. He had a very traumatic experience when cops raided their home and arrested his dad. Sean then grew up with his grandma.

He says that despite the pandemic, he considers 2021 a good year for him. His two films, both directed by ace filmmaker Joel Lamangan, are shown this year and Viva Entertainment just signed him as a contract artist for ten pictures. The first of this is “Nerisa”, directed by Lawrence Fajardo. What’s his role in the film shot on location in Alabat Island in Quezon?

“I play Michael, isang youth leader sa isla na may lihim na pagtingin kay AJ Raval as Lilet,” he says.

Doesn’t he mind playing a supporting role when he already did a lead role? “Not at all po kasi after this, may solo movie kami ni AJ, yung ‘Taya’. Nakatulong nga itong ‘Nerisa’ para makilala at maging mas comfortable kami sa isa’t isa. Nawala ang ilangan namin sa isa’t isa for the sexy scenes in ‘Taya’.”

So he doesn’t mind he’s doing one sexy film after another? “Hindi po kasi ang sexy films na ginagawa ko, puedeng panlaban sa ibang bansa, gaya ng ‘Macho Dancer’ at ‘Lockdown;’ na official entries na sa international film festivals. Quality films naman po ito.”