Article from Manila Bulletin
by: Anya Santos


MANILA, Philippines – The year 2011 has been good to Pokwang.

In the first-ever episode of “The Buzz” for the year 2012, Pokwang’s live appearance was accompanied by a video clip of her dream come true for her family—a huge, multi-level modern house in Antipolo, which reportedly costs P30 million, that she was finally able to build from her successful foray into local show business.

On spending New Year’s day with her family in her new house, Pokwang told host Toni Gonzaga, “Napakasaya. ‘Di ba kinukwento ko naman sa inyo araw-araw sa dressing room ng HYY, excited ako dun sa bagong bahay ko kasi first new year [namin doon], lahat? Masaya. Bongga!”

The year that was

Aside from a new home, 2011 also brought Pokwang back to TV via the noontime show “Happy Yipee Yehey” (HYY), and gave her a sitcom, “Toda Max,” with Robin Padilla, Vhong Navarro and Angel Locsin before it ended.

But aside from those highlights, Pokwang said she is most thankful for what her healthy career has afforded her.

“Natupad ‘yung mga pangarap ko. Nabigyan ng disenteng tahanan ‘yung mga mahal ko sa buhay. I mean, ‘yun lang naman talaga ‘yung importante, ‘di ba, ‘yung mga mahal natin, walang masamang mangyayari sa kanila.”

Asked for her New Year’s resolution, she replied, “Dun nga ako nagtataka. Bakit kailangan new year lang natin ginagawa? Pwede namang gawing araw araw ‘yan, ‘di ba?”

The year that will be

This early, Pokwang welcomes 2012 with a stunning milestone—a movie that sees her in her first-ever lead role, Star Cinema and The Filipino Channel’s “A Mother’s Story.”

A tale of an overseas Filipina worker who sacrificed everything for her family, it is something that is close to Pokwang’s heart.

While it wasn’t really based on her personal journey, she nevertheless said, “Nagkataon na ‘yung storya nung pelikula eh talagang hindi nalalayo sa pagiging Marietta Subong [Pokwang’s real name] ko sa totoong buhay, nung OFW ako. Nagpapasalamat naman ako kasi ako talaga yung binigyan nila ng tiwala na gawin ‘tong pelikula”

While “A Mother’s Story” opens locally on Jan. 8, it has already screened abroad, namely in some areas in the US, Canada, London and Milan. “Magaganda talaga ang reaksiyon ng mga kababayan natin. Thank you, thank you,” Pokwang humbly noted.

Close to home

In the interview, Pokwang also shared how much working on the movie stirred deep-seated memories and emotions within her.