MJ loves acting now and willing to go all-out
MJ (for Mary Jean) Lastimosa represented our country in the Miss Universe pageant held in Florida in 2014 and she made it as one of the ten semifinalists. After that, she acted in supporting roles in some ABS-CBN soaps but it’s on GMA where she found a good outlet for her hosting talents as one of the hosts of the long-running noontime show, “Eat Bulaga”.
She also appeared in the movie “Yorme” playing Diana, the wife of Mayor Isko Moreno. MJ has a degree in computer engineering from the University of Mindanao in Davao, but now, she is into showbiz full time. She feels lucky to be cast as part of GMA-7’s hit action-fantasy, “Agimat ng Agila”, playing the pivotal role of Rosebud.
“When they gave me the script and I read it, I got so excited with my role kasi bago for me ‘yung character ko,” she says. “Sobrang na-excite ako kasi it’s really very challenging. Rosebud is an ordinary ‘marites’ na homeowner, but later on, it will be revealed na extraordinary pala ang character niya at may connection siya kay Sen. Bong Revilla as Maj. Gabriel Labrador. Maraming surprises ang character ko kasi may powers din siya. Hanggang dun na lang muna ang sasabihin ko para hindi maging spoiler.”
So how is it working with Sen. Bong? “I’m truly so thankful na nakasama ko rito si Sen. Bong kasi he is very helpful and acts as my acting coach. Hindi lang ako but he really guides all of us. I realize now that’s the reason why the show’s Season One is very successful, because he’s very hands on and very meticulous in doing every scene.”
She says she was nervous at first as she knows the actors have already been working together in Season One. “Siempre, may apprehension ako kasi ako ‘yung newcomer. But my fears turned out to be unfounded kasi everyone was so helpful. They all welcomed me warmly as part of the Agimat family at lahat sila, they’re so easy to work with.”
Her two other beauty queen co-stars in “Agimat ng Agila”, Rabiya Mateo and Michelle Dee, both claim they have no date last Valentine’s Day. How about her?
“Just like them, wala rin akong boyfriend. We are all free. Valentine was an ordinary working day for me. Trabaho muna ang harapin natin.”
Will she be willing to go sexy like other beauty queens in Vivamax films? “I watched a lot of international films na sexy but very artistic ang pagkakagawa, like ‘yung ‘The Reader’ with Kate Winslet where she showed everything. Kahit beauty queen ka, I feel you can do this but it will all depend on how comfortable you are sa kaya mong gawin. Kasi if you’re not comfortable, then don’t do it.”
She says she’s enjoying being a host in “Eat Bulaga”. “Ang babait kasi lahat ng mga kasama ko roon. They really help me sa kung anong dapat na gagawin ko. Napabilis ang evolution ko as a host at natuto rin ako pati sa pagko-comedy.”
So now, is she serious in pursuing an acting career? “Acting is a different challenge, kasi you are meant to portray a different character. Kung magaganda ang roles na ibibigay sa akin, I’d honestly also love to pursue acting.”
