ACTRESS Sylvia Sanchez is now a producer.

But she’s not alone in this endeavor as almost everyone in the family is involved from husband Art Atayde to children Ria and Arjo.

They named their production company Nathan Studios, after the street where they live now in a posh Quezon City village. Well, they feel they’ve been so much blessed after the family took residence there.

For their first venture, they’ve collaborated with ABS-CBN’s Dreamscape Entertainment in a family drama titled ‘Misis Piggy’ where Sylvia plays the central character, Marivic. She tends a meat shop in a wet market, while raising her children, played by Ria Atayde, Elijah Canlas and Iana Bernaldez by her own. Early on, her husband, played by Ricky Davao left them for another woman, and her struggle with anger has not waned, even after many years.

We had the privilege to watch two episodes of the series, directed by the award winning Carlo Catu (‘Kung Paano Hinihuintay ang Dapithapon,’ ‘Ari: My Life with a King,’ ‘Laut’) and it is treated like a full-length film from its photography to production design. So why not a film for their first venture?

“Eto na muna,” Sylvia says after the screening at Santolan Town Plaza in San Juan. “We decided na makipag-collaborate muna with an experienced company, Dreamscape for iWantTFC, together with Epic Media, para walang masyadong sakit ng ulo. Although siyempre, we dip our hands sa lahat ng aspect, pero with the help of these people, nababawasan ang aming worries.”

Next in line for their production company is a film with Ria Atayde on the lead. But Sylvia, nor Ria, won’t dilvulge the details yet. “We’re shooting in July,” reveals Sylvia.

In June, except for Arjo, they are going to New York for a vacation. “And to watch the show of Justin Bieber, kasi gusto ni Gela (her youngest daughter). Kasama rin namin si Ria, saka si Savi (her youngest son). Maiiwan lang dito si Art saka si Arjo. Mga one month kami sa US, parang bonding na rin.”

Arjo, who’s now busy with campaign for a congressional seat in Quezon City’s District 1, has his own plans. Sylvia has seen him even when he was younger as someone who wants to help other people. But whether or not Arjo wins, Sylvia believes that he will continue to serve his purpose. “Siyempre, mas malaki ang magagawa niya kung nasa Kongreso siya.”

(Some people in the district say he has a good chance at winning.)

Meanwhile, as Sylvia turns 52 in May, she wants to lay low as an actress. “Marami na akong nararamdaman sa katawan,” she cites. “Si Ria na muna (ang magko-concentrate sa acting). But of course, hindi ko maiiwan yan. Hindi na lang katulad ng dati na talagang sagaran ang trabaho.”

Ria more serious now as an actress

MEANWHILE, Ria Atayde looks ready to take on the lead role of an actress in the family.

Mom Sylvia Sanchez reveals that after their iWantTFC series, ‘Misis Piggy,’ Ria is shooting two films in succession in July, as they’ve inked with a ‘group’ (Netflix Philippines?) for their showing (streaming).

Ria is also tasked to have a hand in the behind-the-production process, as the family is now decided on getting serious with this business (Nathan Studios).

Looks like Ria is now burying her head in her new job, setting aside her personal life. “Wala ngang lovelife, eh,” chuckles the very beautiful and smart actress.

Ria is now more serious about being an actress than anything else. She has tried TV hosting, and some people think it suits her personality well, being quite outspoken but Ria feels it is too toxic for her. “Being a TV host, you get to reveal too much of your personal life, eh,” she says. “Hirap ako sa aspect na yun.”

Well, that’s part of being in showbusiness.