“Distance adds to the challenge, pero when you have [faith, love and hope], matibay na ‘yung relationship whether long-distance or malapit kayo sa isa't-isa”
Fun fact: Midnight In A Perfect World lead, Glaiza de Castro, spent seven months quarantined in Baler. In our exclusive one-on-one, she narrates, “I appreciated nature more. I wanted to spend more time sa mga places na parang mag-babalanse sa'kin. (I wanted to spend more time in places that would make me feel balanced.) Before, I didn't imagine living in the province, parang I always considered myself as a “city girl,” pero being locked down in Baler for seven months made me realize na I have everything I need here.”
This newfound discovery has led her to one of her biggest goals for the year, setting up a café in Baler and living near the beach, her “safe house.” 2021 has just begun but the newly engaged actress-singer also just released her new single with OC Records, Bank Holiday. For Glaiza, it seems 2021 is off to a good start, and it's only February.
On finding hope in new beginnings, making long-distance relationships work and asking for help, she has a few things to say.
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Wonder: Do you believe that a new year offers a reset, a restart? What makes you hopeful about 2021 after such a trainwreck of a year?
Glaiza: I think, para sa’kin, may psychological effect ‘yung kapag New Year…Well, let's admit it, parang in reality, ang hirap panindigan ng isang resolution talaga. There will always be times na madidistract ka or papalya ka. I think there's always hope in new beginnings, parang ang lungkot naman din kapag wala kang hope, parang masyado kang pessimistic about it…For me, there's always something to look forward to in new beginnings. (I think, for me, there's a psychological effect behind the New Year…Well, let's admit it, in reality, it's difficult to commit to a resolution. There will always be times when you get distracted or you miss. I think there's always hope in new beginnings, it's sad to lose hope or if you're too pessimistic about it…For me, there's always something to look forward to in new beginnings.)
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W: There were a lot of political underpinnings in Midnight In A Perfect World. Did you think this was commentary on the state of the nation?
G: Honestly, when I read the script, hindi ko siya tinignan as a commentary about what we're going through sa country natin. I just saw it as an exciting film, a very interesting one, and I haven't done any kind of genre [like it] before. Parang nung napanood ko siya, it somehow made me think na, oh, relevant nga siya sa nangyayari ngayon. What's special about this film is hindi niya dinidictate ‘yung audience na “you have to feel this” or “you have to understand this.” Parang it always leaves something sa audience, kung ano ‘yung paniniwala mo or ano yung take mo sa film, wala siyang certain message. It's always up to the audience kung anong magiging perception mo of the film. (Honestly, when I read the script, I didn't look at it as a commentary about what we're going through in our country. I just saw it as an exciting film, a very interesting one, and I haven't done any kind of genre [like it] before. When I watched it, it somehow made me think that it's relevant to our present-day situation. What's special about this film is it doesn't dictate to the audience that “you have to feel this” or “you have to understand this.” It always leaves something to the audience, whatever is your belief or your take of the film, it doesn't have a certain message. t's always up to the audience on what your perception of the film is.)
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W: Do you have a metaphorical “safe house” in your life right now, a place of refuge for uncertain times, especially in the time of a pandemic?
G: I think it will always be my family, kung saan man sila. Ngayon kasi, kalat-kalat kami…so talagang malayo kami sa isa't-isa. (I think it will always be my family wherever they are. Now, we're scattered…we're really far from one another.) Wherever I go, if there's a family member there, I will always feel safe whenever I'm near them.
W: With love month in our midst, what makes a long-distance relationship work? (And congratulations on your engagement!)
G: For me, tatlong words lang ‘yung nasa isip ko, very simple words pero parang sobrang complex din niya: faith, love and hope. Lagi natin siyang nakikita, as cliché as it may sound. ‘Yun talaga yung parang important elements or ingredients sa long-distance relationship. Distance adds to the challenge, pero when you have those three things, matibay na ‘yung relationship whether long-distance or malapit kayo sa isa't-isa. Universal elements siya. (For me, there are three words that come to mind, very simple words but also complex: faith, love and hope. We always see it, as cliché as it may sound. These are really the important elements or ingredients in a long-distance relationship. Distance adds to the challenge, but when you have those three things, the relationship whether long-distance or you're near to each other is stronger. These are universal elements.)
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W: With quarantine putting on hold many things, even let’s say (the possibility of) relationships, what would you tell those who are lonely for the next season?
G: You know, I feel the same. Parang strange, comforting feeling whenever you encounter people who are going through the same experience. Ang hirap sabihin, kasi kapag nandun ka sa sitwasyon na ‘yun, parang ang hirap bumangon…But I think, don't lose hope. It's really important to check up on someone, parang ‘yung simpleng kamusta lang, kahit na you're feeling lonely din, don't hesitate to call someone and ask for help. From my experience, hindi healthy na i-keep mo siya sa sarili mo, eh. Family and friends will always be there to support you. (It's hard to say because where you're in that situation, it's difficult to rise up…But I think, don't lose hope. It's really important to check up on someone, just a simple “how are you” even if you're feeling lonely, don't hesitate to call someone and ask for help. From my experience, it's not healthy to keep it to yourself. Family and friends will always be there to support you.)
May isang pinanghahawakan rin akong verse lagi: there's always a time for everything. Kapag nafifeel mo na malungkot ka, dadaan ‘yan. Dadating din ‘yung time na sasaya ka, paikot-ikot lang. (There's a verse I always hold on to: there's always a time for everything. If you feel sad, it will pass. There will come a time when you'll be happy again, it's the circle of life.)
Want more from Glaiza de Castro? Catch her on Midnight In A Perfect World streaming only on UPSTREAM via GMovies, and stream her latest single produced by OC Records, Bank Holiday, on Spotify.
Photo credit glaizaredux/IG
Art Matthew Ian Fetalver
