"The Caretakers" Dimples and Iza share opinion and experience on artists' abuse of ‘privilege’ in the industry
The lead stars of upcoming eco horror movie “The Caretakers” Dimples Romana and Iza Calzado have shared their experiences and opinions regarding artists taking advantage of their ‘special treatment’ in the entertainment industry. Veteran actresses were asked during the media junket for their film, whether they feel that the special care given to them was sometimes abused.
First to answer, Dimples shared what she learned from working with fellow screen veteran Judy Ann Santos. “Ang sabi niya dapat talaga ang mga artista ang pinakahuling aaray o magrereklamo. Dapat talaga hindi, kasi isa kami sa mga may pinakamatataas na tinatanggap para sa trabaho para sa isang araw. Totoo po ‘yon. Hindi po yun mali. Isa yan sa mga bagay na nakita ko na she lives by it. Sinasabuhay niya ‘yon.
She added, "Kahit noong time na nag-[Esperanza] kami, baguhan ako nun 12 years old lang ako, nakikita ko talaga na kapag artista ka grabe. Lahat talaga binibigay nila sa’yo. Pero alam ko rin na hindi yun normal para sa lahat ng tao. At hindi ‘yon dapat inaabuso. Ang pagiging mabuti sa’yo ng mga kapwa mo sa industriya ay kasama na lang dahil nakasanayan nila na ang mga artista noon ay lagi nilang ibinibigay ang lahat ng kailangan."
“Ang resources noon mas marami. Ngayong mga panahon na ito, may budget concern na talaga tayo. At ang bawat artista ay dapat makaintindi sa ganun. Maaaring pwede nating i-value o i-appreciate yung ganong klase ng treatment lalong-alo na dito sa set namin. Alam mo, totoo ‘yun na spoiled kami."
The actress then proudly told how everyone on their set during the production of their movie was given equal treatment with food and other amenities. She agreed that this kind of practice is a very welcomed change in the Philippines because care should not only dedicated to artists.
“Para sa akin, ang pag-aabuso ay nangyayari lamang kapag ikaw ay hindi nakakaintindi ng pagiging makatao. Kung ikaw may malasakit ka sa katrabaho mo, at hindi lang ito para sa artista ha, para ito sa lahat ng industriya na ginagalawan natin. Always make sure that courtesy and respect should not be dictated because of their status in life or their position in the environment."
Dimples also stated that the most suitable to emulate about being kind regardless of age or state in life are artists because people are always focused on them. "Di ba pansin mo, kapag ang artista ang nagkamali, ang laking bagay. ‘Pag Merong gagawing maganda, nagiging role model ka. I encourage na kung kaya mong magpakita ng pagmamalasakit at pagpapakumbaba, tayo ang unang gagawa nun kasi tayo yung lagi nilang tinitingala. Ang laki-laki at ang ganda-ganda ng tingin nila sa’yo kaya nga ‘pag nagkakamali ka parang brokenhearted ang lahat ‘di ba. But the truth is we're all just people."
For Iza, she thinks it’s not that it’s wrong, just that she wishes that it were given to everyone else as well. "Because care is not wrong. Care is what we all deserve. But it’s not an egalitarian system wherein we give it to everybody equally. It’s very selective."
"We get away with so much, literally. You’re given a dessert, you’re given free meals ganyan. Hindi ka pa nagugutom may pagkain ka na ulit. That’s why there are those who get spoiled. And perhaps if I reflect upon this, perhaps I have at some point acted like a spoiled person on set because I am not perfect," she added.
The multi-awarded actress acknowledged that there are also many factors that come into play regarding the matter and sometimes the production didn't do it on purpose.
Produced by Rein Entertainment, in partnership with Regal Entertainment, “The Caretakers” is written and directed by Shugo Praico. It also stars Marco Masa, Ashley Sarmiento, Althea Ruedas, Erika Clemente, Erin Espiritu, with the special participation of Inka Magnaye and Jake Taylor. The film will be shown in nationwide cinemas beginning February 26.