“Maricar Reyes: Up Close and Personal with Ina – Ang Taong Grasa”

It was 11:00 am, July 5, 2009 when I started writing about Maricar Reyes. Putting on record such probably for others may look like an insignificant event is to me as a writer a very important one. I put forward three reasons for doing it. First, I have to do so in order that I will not be in trouble of violating the “non-disclosure” provision of my contract for “May Bukas Pa”. Second, in order that I will not also violate a very important reminder given to us during the taping and third to put it on record that this will be the first time that I will write about Maricar Reyes, but definitely not the last time. The episode with Maricar Reyes as our guest in “May Bukas Pa” had been airing since Wednesday, 01 July 2009 and therefore it is already a public knowledge that she is in our show. Aside from that, a few hours from now, after ASAP ’09, her first solo starrer on TV will air via “Your Song –presents Gaano Kita Kamahal”. In other words, the timing is clear that as I will write this first article on Maricar Reyes, she is already seriously emerging to be an important actor of ABS-CBN! For sure, hindi ko pinangunahan ang Corporate Communications of ABS-CBN on their media plans for Maricar. In fact, this writing is already very late. Panis.

Lovey, our make up artist was putting on my make-up for my early evening calltime at 7:00 p.m. last 18 June 2009 when I asked her if she already saw our guest for the day’s taping – Ms. Maricar Reyes. She answered yes. I asked her if it was possible to ask for a picture taking session with Maricar. Lovey told me that when they started taping at 7:00 in the morning, words circulated in the set that it was a big “NO NO” to do that. The idea was that everyone should give Maricar the chance to move on and that we have to smoothly work that day without creating unnecessary tensions that may arise as a result of requests for photo sessions. I told myself then, the instruction was a wise move: if people would be allowed to have photo session with Maricar, deep in herself she would definitely be thinking that these people wanted to have a souvenir with her for “a different obvious” reason.

It was past midnight when we actors playing the roles of the priests were on our way back to our tent after a take when I saw Maricar Reyes standing in front of her separate tent. Nobody made a move to greet such a beautiful lady except for Victor Basa and David Chua who I would later know were her classmates in the ABS-CBN acting workshop. Victor and David made a “beso beso” on her.

On our next taping day last 23 June 2009, all of us actors playing the roles of the priests in the monastery were invited by Father Jesus Manabat – the Parish Priest of San Guillermo to have dinner at his residence. Since the taping started early in the morning, nobody made a move to befriend Maricar. For dinner however, Dominic invited Maricar to join us at the convent. As we were about to start our dinner, Maricar Reyes quietly walked toward us at the long dining table. Lo and behold, Dominic helped her take the “cabesera” and I was seated beside her!

A very sweet smile from Maricar opened up her conversation with us – the actors playing the roles of priest. That was then I came to know Maricar Reyes – up close and personal. Maricar told me that she is from Cagayan de Oro City, although she later clarified that specifically she is from Malaybalay, Bukidnon. I told her that I am also from Agusan del Norte, a neighboring province in Mindanao. She has two elder brothers.

Lito Pimentel told Maricar that I am working with the Social Security System aside from working as an actor. When Lito added that “in fact, mayaman yan si Egay”, Maricar looked at me and spoke in a sweet cebuano language, “Sapian diay ka?”

I of course corrected Lito’s statement! Mabuhay ka Maricar Reyes, having known met a woman with a very strong personality is an honor! Here is a little prayer that you will achieve what you wish in your heart, “unta, mahimo kang sapian, dili sa material nga butang, kundi laing pang mga butang nga imong giampo”.

Finally, having started to play the role of a “taong-grasa” a lowly outcast of the society, I am sure that the audience not only in the Philippines but around the world would see before their eyes the metamorphosis of Maricar Reyes into a respected actress. Welcome!