The death of the Caballero’s in ‘FPJ’s Batang Quiapo’ drew more than an all-time high viewership record on Kapamilya Online Live last Friday, logging in more than 777,000 peak concurrent viewers.
ABS-CBN News chatted with Tessie Tomas, who played the role of the conniving villain Donya Bettina and she shared why the massacre of her family in the action series was a traumatic experience for her.
“Traumatic kasi never pa kong nabaril sa buong career ko,” she said of the plotline.
She also revealed that, on a personal level, the scene of getting shot reminded her about an incident involving a family member.
“I had a brother who was accidentally shot and died when he was only 22. Pero what saved the day, kapag binaril ka, wala nang sound. And of course, may double,” said the veteran actress-TV host.
Tomas admitted that she had received a lot of hate comments online from viewers who got carried away by her character’s villainous schemes.
“Patay na ko, ang dami pa ring namba-bash. Tigilan niyo na ho. Mahabag naman kayo. Humihingi ako ng tawad sa mga naasar sa akin o nasuklam man lang. Pero role lang po yan, mabait po si Tessie Tomas sa totoong buhay,” she said.
But she agreed that the bashing meant her portrayal of the role was effective.
“Iba ang acting ko rito, parang napaka-evil ko na rin eh. Parang pa-evil na ko,” she said.
While she didn’t have an actual scene with Coco Martin, Tomas had nothing but good words for the young actor-director.
“The fact that he told me that he handpicked me for the role after watching ‘Dirty Linen’, it’s flattering,” Tomas said.
From action-packed TV series, Tomas is switching gears and going for a tearjerker project entitled ‘Senior Moments’ – a movie about the struggles, joys and journey of the elderly as they face the final years of their lives.
“Ito’y istorya ng tatlong seniors na iba’t ibang paghihirap at kasiyahan sa kani-kanilang pamilya, habang sila ay papunta na sa dulo ng kanilang buhay. What makes it important is that we’re all classmates,” she said.
“Nagkikita kita kami, periodically pag nagkaka-reunion. Noong una, marami kami hanggang nalalagas na sa panahon, hanggang sa kumonti nang kumonti na kami hanggang sa tatlo na lang kami sa dulo.”
Tomas acted alongside Noel Trinidad and Nova Villa in the movie. One crucial moment in the movie for her character is a clash between her and her son played by Jeric Raval.
“Heartwarming ito and a bit sad kasi marami ang naging problema ang mga seniors dito,” she said.
There’s no playdate yet for ‘Senior Moments’, but they plan to tour the movie first among schools nationwide.
Tessie Tomas’ 92-year-old mother recovers from COVID-19
MANILA — Here’s a stunning story of patient recovery from COVID-19.
Veteran actress and radio pillar Laura Hermosa, the mother of comedienne-host Tessie Tomas, is continuing her recovery from severe COVID-19 infection with pneumonia since her discharge this month from a Metro Manila hospital.
Tomas regards the turnaround of her 92-year-old mother as a miracle.
“God is good. She is in stable condition now,” Tomas told ABS-CBN News Friday, noting that her kidney condition is also continuously being monitored. “Please continue to pray for her, for me and the rest of our family to just hold on to our faith and to take it one day at a time. Bawat araw andito si mama is a bonus from heaven.”
Veteran actress and radio pillar Laura Hermosa. Photo courtesy of Tessie Tomas
“She is such a fighter and she has a willingness to live!,” Tomas added, citing the struggles of her two-week confinement and her recovery. “Hindi lang si mom ang pinagmilagruhan. It is a fact that even the elderly can survive kung malakas ang kanilang resistensya and walang gaanong underlying conditions.”
In her TessTube account on YouTube , Tomas documented her difficult journey of coming home to the Philippines from her home base in Isle of Man, United Kingdom to be with her mother. That included undergoing long quarantine in Manchester and Manila before she could finally physically reunite with her in her Makati condominium.
Tomas’ son, Robin, also flew from New York City to be with his lola Laura.
Comedienne-host Tessie Tomas with her mother, Laura Hermosa. Photo courtesy of Tessie Tomas
“Sabi ko nun sa mama ko sa picture, ‘Ma, antayin mo ako, nagsasagwan na ako mula Isle of Man and true enough, inantay niya ako,” Tomas said. “Iyak ako ng iyak kasi ike-cremate sinomang COVID victim. Eto ‘yung desiderata moment na gather your strength of spirit to shield you from any sudden misfortune.”
Tomas also recounted how she surrendered herself and her desperation to God by praying the rosary. “And then I let go and let God,” she said.
Watch more in iWantv or TFC.tv
After a successful TV, stage and movie career, Tomas settled a few year ago in the Isle of Man hometown of her husband Roger Pullin where she counts cows and sheep as her new friends. She laughs at how she has embraced her new role as domesticated wife in a wintry place. Now in Manila, she’s raring to reconnect with friends and yes, start autobiographical work on the Laura Hermosa story.
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Filipino fashion designer Robin Tomas is following in the footsteps of his mother – the celebrated comedienne and actress, Tessie Tomas.
The budding stand-up comic has been making the rounds at comedy club open mics in New York City.
Tomas said it is his way of honoring his mother’s legacy as the queen of daytime TV and stand-up comedy in the Philippines.
“I was in the womb of a comedian,” he said. “I’ve absorbed everything. I grew up with a comic and we would spar naturally with with humor.”
To embark on his new journey, Tomas shared he also went to school at the Harvard of comedy clubs, the “Comedy Cellar.”
It’s where a few legends started their careers in light entertainment, such as Jon Stewart, Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, as well as Dave Chappelle and Ali Wong.
“For fashion, I went to Parsons, which is also one of the best schools in the country,” said Tomas. “For comedy I decided, why not go for the best and get the really good training?”
Tomas said he is just getting started with his newfound career, and he is getting some attention from the FilAm community, including from Paz Herrero – the daughter of the late Filipino comedian Subas Hererro.
“Maybe Robin will be the next one that we’ll see on national TV,” said Herrero. “I think it’s great.”
Sharing the comedy stage at the Stand NYC is Filipina stand-up comic Patricia Dignlasan.
Dinglasan took the same class with the very same teacher at the Comedy Cellar some five years ago. She shared some of her tips for new comic.
“Just keep getting on stage, writing and editing,” she said. “I probably throw away about 80% of what I write until I can condense, until it is sharp and everyone’s laughing.”
Tessie Tomas, meanwhile, told her son to enjoy the ride in his newfound “playground.”
“I wish you all the luck in the world as you foray into the difficult, challenging world of stand-up comedy,” she said in a video message.
Tessie added in Filipino: “To be honest, I was also shocked. I didn’t think he (Robin) would take this seriously. But he took a comedy writing course. Maybe one day, he’ll be more famous than his mom. I would just be his front act!”
As they say – dreams do come true in the big city of dreams called New York City.
MANILA — Sinorpresa ni Daniel Padilla ang kanyang ninang na si Tessie Tomas sa isang video message na ipinalabas sa “Magandang Buhay” nitong Miyerkoles.
Ibinahagi ni Tessie na hindi pa niya nakikilala nang personal ang aktor.
“Kailangang makilala ko si Daniel, dahil big fan niya ako,” aniya.
Sa kanyang video message, nagpasalamat si Daniel sa mga regalo na natatanggap niya galing kay Tessie: “Hello Tita Tessie, unang-una sa lahat, gusto ko lang pong magpasalamat dahil kahit hindi pa po tayo nagkikita ay never niyo pong nakalimutan ang birthdays at regalo niyo po sa akin. Maraming, maraming salamat po, Tita. Sana po soon ay magkita na po tayo. Ingat po kayo diyan, Tita, and enjoy po kayong lahat. I love you, guys.”
Paano nga ba naging ninang ni Daniel ang host ng dating programang “Teysi ng Tahanan” kung hindi pa sila nagkikita?
Kuwento ng kanyang inang si Karla Estrada na isa sa mga host ng “Magandang Buhay,” hindi niya makakalimutan ang mga salitang binitiwan noon ni Tessie tungkol sa pagbubuntis niya.
“Suki kami noon sa ‘Teysi ng Tahanan,’ lagi kaming nandodoon,” ani Karla. “Noong time na ‘yon, buntis ako kay Daniel at sinabi ko kay Tita Tessie. So, noong sinabi ko sa kanya noon eh ang ganda ng in-advise niya sa akin… ‘Ingatan mo ang batang ‘yan dahil ‘yan ay isang blessing.'”
“So, ako dahil batang-bata, I was 20, lahat nang nagiging close sa buhay ko noon ay ginawa ko talaga silang ninang,” dagdag ni Karla. “Pero after kong manganak, hindi na kami nagkita [ni Tessie].”
Si Tessie ay isa sa mga bituin ng seryeng “The Blood Sisters” na ngayon ay nasa huling 3 gabi na.
Pangarap niya na balang araw ay makatrabaho ang kanyang inaanak na si Daniel sa isa sa kanyang mga proyekto.
“Daniel, I’m so proud of you every time I see you on TV. Magkikita pa rin tayo, ha. Siguro naman may lakas pa ako na maging extra sa isa mong pelikula,” aniya.
Mapapanood ang “The Blood Sisters” bago ang “TV Patrol.”
Donya Cielo (Tessie Tomas) died after an encounter with Olan (Joel Torre) in the latest episode of “Dirty Linen” aired last August 18, 2023. ABS-CBN.
Donya Cielo (Tessie Tomas) died after an encounter with Olan (Joel Torre) in the latest episode of “Dirty Linen” aired Friday.
As evidence against the Fieros is still weak, Donya Cielo decided to leave the country with the kids.
Olan has another plan with Lala (Jennica Garcia), to blow up the cockpit of the Fieros.
While they execute their plan, they were surprised by the arrival of Donya Cielo but Olan was determined to confront the matriarch.
After their encounter, Donya Cielo became unconscious and was rescued by Manang Precious (Rubi Rubi).
The lead helper asked for medical help but it was too late and Donya Cielo died while the cockpit was on fire.
“Dirty Linen,” now down to its last week, airs on Kapamilya Channel, Jeepney TV, A2Z, TV5, Kapamilya Online Live, iWantTFC, and TFC.
