Veteran actress Lorna ‘L.T.’ Tolentino last made a movie in 2007. This was Katas ng Saudi opposite current Senator Jinggoy Estrada, who picked up Best Actor trophies from three award-giving bodies. Lorna also bagged a trophy from the Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) for her role as Jinggoy’s wife.
It’s been three years, so L.T. is quite excited over Star Cinema’s powerhouse family drama Sa ‘Yo Lamang. In the movie, she is paired with multi-awarded dramatic actor Christopher ‘Boyet’ de Leon. She plays the long-suffering wife of Boyet’s character, who deserts his family for another woman. “It [the movie] is about yung typical na problema ng kalalakihan, yung pambababae. Kaya yung characters namin, nagkaroon ng matinding away, nawala siya for 10 years hanggang sa bumalik siya,” said L.T. at the grand press conference of Sa ‘Yo Lamang at ABS-CBN’s Dolphy Theater.
Assuming the character of a mother to several children, among them Dianne (Bea Alonzo), L.T. is not worried at all about the role making her seem old. “Nagpapasalamat ako na yung mga ginagawa ko, nag-fo-follow sa kung ano ang totoong edad ko, kaya puwede ko naman sila maging anak lahat,” laughed the forty-something actress and mother of two.
Although she has played similar roles in the past, she will exert every effort to make sure this one is different. Her last time to act opposite Boyet was in Mano Po 2 in 2003. “After all these years, ngayon lang uli ako gagawa ng pelikula, but after all this time, masasabi ko na nandoon pa rin ang fire, ang passion, ang hunger, to do something really good, and to make this a good movie.”
While making the movie, did L.T. have any flashbacks, or did she draw upon any real-life experiences? Did she remember her husband, the late action star Rudy Fernandez? “Maraming eksena na kung minsan, pagbigay ng instructions ni Direk Laurice, nagagamit ko ang sariling experience ko sa buhay,” admitted L.T. “Maraming eksena na hinuhugutan ko ang nakaraan ko, mga trials, lahat ng sakit, kasi kailangan balikan. Ang hirap.”
But toward the end, the experience proved itself worth it. Lorna feels she made a good film, because it is a film that talks about family, faith and forgiveness. “Lahat naman tayo, ibibigay ang lahat-lahat, basta para sa ikabubuti ng pamilya. Meron din mga dinadaanan na pagsubok para ma-test ang faith. This movie is also about faith, pagtitiwala at paniniwala sa Panginoon,” she said.
Taken from the Filipino liturgical classic composed by Fr. Manoling Francisco, SJ, Sa ‘Yo Lamang is directed by Laurice Guillen, who is also responsible for the success ofTanging Yaman, American Adobo and I Love You Goodbye.
Watch out for the screening of L.T.’s comeback movie Sa ‘Yo Lamang in selected theaters in the U.S.A., Canada and Japan.