Actress Iza Calzado’s personal life and her recent teleserye “Ang Sa Iyo ay Akin” seem to have a parallel fate — they went through a lot this year.

Early this year, Iza was diagnosed with COVID-19. She was confined in a hospital and was given a clean bill of health after more than a week.

In the meantime, taping for her teleserye proved to be a struggle as she and the cast had to be locked-in in their location, went through swab tests, and observed quarantine protocols.

“Sa totoo lang, napaka-grateful ko. The fact na nag-uusap tayo, the fact na nandito pa ako ngayon, is something I am grateful for every day,” Calzado said when ask how she is coping with the “new normal” during the show’s mediacon via Zoom, Friday, Aug. 7.

(In truth, I am very grateful. The fact that we are talking, the fact that I am still here, is something I am grateful for every day.)

Calzado felt that it is such a big blessing that the show was “being given a green light”.

“Parang ang daming pinagdaanan ng show, ang dami nating pinagdaanang lahat ng Pilipino,” she noted.

(As the show went through so much, Filipinos also went through a lot.)

Calzado believes it was all in God’s plan that the show will push through despite the many challenges.

“Personally, mahirap-hirap din ang pinagdaanan ko this year… minsan pinag-usapan namin sa town hall, parang we have been chosen by God to do this, parang ganoon, eh. Parang ganoon ang pakiramdam; parang kami ‘yung unang ganito sa bagong platform natin,” she said.

(Personally, I went through some difficulties this year… we discussed it in a townhall, it was as if we have been chosen by God to do this, it feels like that; it is like we’re the first in this new platform.)

For that, the actress is “beyond grateful”.

“Parang we went through so many challenges. Siguro talagang ramdam na ramdam namin ang magandang feedback and we are very excited na lahat ng pinaghirapan namin ay mapapanood ninyo na; despite the challenges, tuloy [ang] laban,” she added.

(It’s like we went through so many challenges. We feel the good feedback and we are very excited that all the hard work we’ve poured [on the show], you will all see; despite the challenges, the fight goes on.)

She acknowledged that her friendship with her co-star Jodi Sta. Maria, who plays her nemesis in the show, has deepened.

“Lumalim siya. Siguro ‘yon ang term doon. Lumalim. I appreciate her just as much as she appreciates me. Mas nakilala ko siya. Noon pa naman, eh. Alam ko na mabuti siyang tao,” she said.

(It has deepened. Maybe that’s the term. Deepened. I appreciate her as much as she appreciates me. I got to know her more. Even before, I knew she was a good person.) NVG

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