Working under the new normal where health protocols are observed is something which actor Cris Villanueva believes has its good and bad side.

Villanueva, who appears in the TV drama “Bagong Umaga” as Ian, shared his thoughts on his experiences as an actor under the new normal in an interview with RAWR Nation, posted on Facebook today, Jan. 20. “Bagong Umaga” also stars Tony Labrusca and Barbie Imperial, and is broadcast through the Kapamilya Channel and A2Z.

“Ang masasabi ko, maraming nagawang maganda ‘yung new normal pero marami ring mahirap,” Villanueva stressed. (What I can say is that the new normal has brought about a lot of beautiful things but also difficulty.)

One is that of actors having to be away from their families for long periods of time.

“For example, being locked-in sa hotel na malayo sa pamilya ko kasi hindi ako sanay talaga na lumalayo sa pamilya ko na more than ten days. Kapag ganoon, parang nababagot na rin ako,” he said.

(For example, being locked-in in a hotel where I am way from my family, because I am not used to being away from my family for more than 10 days. When that’s the case, I feel like I get bored too.)

The good side, meanwhile, is that people in the project become more caring of each other.

“‘Yung kagandahan naman sa new normal, talagang nakikita mo na everyone is taking care of each other. Makikita mo na pinapangalagaan nila ang kanilang sarili para sa ganoon ay makapagtrabaho at maging safe para sa kasamahan,” he said.

(The beautiful thing about the new normal is you really see that everyone is taking care of each other. You will see that people take care of themselves so that their co-workers can work safely.)

Working hours have also been reduced which paves the way for those in the project to become more professional.

“Ang pinakagusto ko ay ‘yung working hours. Maikli pero kailangang preparado lahat – magmula sa make-up, sa wardrobe, sa oras ng pagdating, sa pagkain, lahat en punto, pati ‘yung oras sa pagmemorya ninyo, paggawa ng eksena, en punto lahat,” he cited. “Kung hindi, hindi namin mahahagip ‘yung target na time.”

(What I like the most is the working hours. It’s short and everything should be prepared – from make-up to wardrobe. From the time to report on the set and time to eat, everything is precise, including the time you memorize [your lines] and the time you shoot a scene. Everything is precise, otherwise we won’t make it to our target time.)

cris villanueva IG — Cris Villanueva. Image: Instagram/@icrisvillanueva

Despite the challenges, Villanueva did not hesitate to accept his role in “Bagong Umaga.”

“Nu’ng tinanggap ko siya, kinausap ko ang pamilya ko. Sinabi ko sa kanila na, ‘O, palagay ko ay dapat na nating tanggapin ito kasi nga bukod sa hulog ito ng langit para sa akin, for me ay kailangan nang magbukas ng industriya,'” he said. “Hindi lang ito para sa career ko, ‘yun na nga, all the way para sa mga gusto na ring magkatrabaho.”

(When I accepted the project, I talked to my family. I told them that I think it’s about time that we accept these conditions, because aside from the project being a blessing to me, I believe the entertainment industry already has to open up. This is not just for my own career, [because] that’s it, [it goes] all the way for those who already want to work again.) JB

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