Veteran actress Tetchie Agbayani recounts how she auditioned to be Sylvester Stallone’s leading lady in Rambo: First Blood Part II. She got the part but decided to turn down the project
In recent years, we have been proud to have made Hollywood movies with some local actors, such as Dolly de Leon and Liza Soberano.

But before them, veteran actress Tetchie Agbayani, 62, was given the spotlight in several Hollywood movies.

In fact, she was even chosen to be Sylvester Stallone’s leading lady in a  Rambo  movie, but Tetchie refused.

In Julius Babao’s interview with him on YouTube on June 11, 2024, Tetchie revealed why he missed a role that could have brought him to the pinnacle of success in Hollywood.

TETCHIE STAYED IN THE U.S. AFTER THE PLAYBOY MAGAZINE NOISE

Tetchie was confused and talked about a lot in the Philippines when he posted in  Playboy  Germany July 1982 edition.

Tetchie said that because of so much attention, he decided to live in Los Angeles, California, in the US

He said he only had $5,000 (equivalent to PHP293,000 today).

“I sold all my property. All my cars, my sports car, I sold…”

It is said that Tetchie’s popularity was at its height in the Philippines in the early ’80s, but he left it to live a normal life in America.

But he said he had a hard time getting a job there. It is said that she was not accepted when she applied as a waitress and salesgirl because she had no references.

It is said that an acquaintance encouraged him to try his luck in Hollywood.

Tetchie has doubts because of the intensity of the competition. But there is a good path waiting for him.

TETCHIE TRIES HER LUCK IN HOLLYWOOD

A friend of Tetchie’s made it possible for the actress to meet an agent at the William Morris Agency (WMA), a Hollywood-based talent agency known to this day.

In Tetchie’s story, even his agent, JJ Harris, is not confident if he will be able to audition.

By the way, the actress’ projects will follow one after the other.

Tetchie first auditioned for the role of a tribe native in the film  The Emerald Forest  (1985) starring Charles Boorman.

Tetchie passed the audition and flew to the Amazon Jungle in Brazil where the movie was made.

He said he had to strip in the film as a native. They said they shot for four months.

“That was the longest movie I’ve ever done,” sabi ni Tetchie.

Tetchie played the role of a native girl from a tribe in her first Hollywood movie in 1985.
After the film, Tetchie was cast as Olympian Kurt Thomas’s leading lady in  Gymkata  (1985).

He had already signed a contract to be a WMA talent.

It was followed by the movie  Money Pit  (1986) starring Tom Hanks.

“I played the role of the stepmother of Tom Hanks,” explained the actress, although her role was only short and she and Tom did not have a scene.

One day, his agent called him to audition for the cast of Sylvester Stallone’s movie.

Tetchie with Olympian Kurt Thomas in the film Gymkata (1985)

TETCHIE TALKS ABOUT ACTING OPPOSITE SYLVESTER DURING AUDITION

The casting call for the sequel of Sylvester’s successful movie Rambo was starting  .

His agent said the shooting was in the Philippines so Tetchie immediately agreed to audition.

“So, that’s it, I auditioned. I auditioned once and then later on I was sent back… second audition, same role.”

The role is Sylvester’s leading lady.

“At the audition, Sylvester Stallone was there. He was there, with a moving camera. ”

The two remaining women are her and Hawaiian actress Julia Nickson.

It is said that Tetchie was the first to attend the audition, with Sylvester in the scene.

Sylvester heard them.

Tetchie revealed, “But he’s less than me. He is not tall. I’m taller than him. ”

He also said that he was not starstruck by the famous Hollywood actor.

“So, it seems like nothing, it’s just usual. He doesn’t care.”

He said the audition process was quick.

“He’s just simple. ‘Hi, hello. Pleased to meet you,’ and then the scene. And when it ended, ‘Thank you.’ Exit. That’s all.”

When he got home, he immediately received a call from his agent.

“I got a call from J.J. Harris. Sabi ni J.J., ‘Tetchie, you got the part. Be ready to fly to Mexico.’”

Tetchie frowned. “‘Wait a minute,’ I said. ‘I thought they were shooting in the Philippines?’ ”

His agent explained that there was a logistics problem in the Philippines, so the location was changed and it will be shot in Mexico.

Sabi raw ni Tetchie sa kausap, “’J.J., I just came back from the jungles of the Amazon, the jungles of Brazil.’

“Sabi ko, ‘I wouldn’t mind going to the jungles of the Philippines, but Mexico?’ Sabi ko, ‘No, I don’t think I’d like to accept it.’ So, the role went to Julia Nickson.”

Sylvester Stallone with Singaporean-American actress Julia Nickson in Rambo II

DID TETCHIE REGRET TURNING DOWN THE PROJECT?

Curious about Tetchie, does he regret turning down the project that could have led to recognition in Hollywood?

“Nothing. I have no regrets because I really have no illusions that, ‘I wanna make it big in Hollywood,’” answered Tetchie.

“Yung sa akin, everything is an adventure. Let’s see what unfolds… that there is more to life than just acting, even up to now…

“That’s why I’d like to keep a private life. There’s more to life than pelikula, like going back to school.”

Pagpapatuloy ni Tetchie, marahil kung tinanggap niya ang role sa Rambo II ay hindi na siya nakabalik sa Pilipinas at hindi na natapos ang kanyang pag-aaral, at nagkaroon ng anak.

Makalipas ang apat na taon sa U.S., bumalik sa Pilipinas si Tetchie para gawin ang pelikulang Mission Manila (1988) kasama ang Hollywood actor na si Larry Wilcox.

Nagdesisyon daw siyang manatili muna sa bansa dahil na-homesick siya.

Kinuha na raw siya noon ng Viva Films para gawin ang Balweg na pinagbidahan ni Phillip Salvador.

“Then one led to the other. Sunud-sunod na yung ginawa kong movies dito. Hindi na ako nakabalik sa L.A.,” pagpapatuloy ni Tetchie.

“And I decided, enjoy ako dito kasi I was constantly working as an actor.

“In L.A., may mga gaps na hindi ako nagwo-work. Naiinip ako. At saka naho-homesick ako.

“Gusto kong umuwi ng Pilipinas, gusto kong kumain ng Filipino food… nami-miss ko ang Pilipinas.

“And I realized na hindi pala ako meant to live in America habang buhay. I realized kung ako namatay, gusto ko sa Pilipinas.”