While most women bank on brains and beauty as ingredients to success, for comedian Rufa Mae Quinto it's being "booba."
Since her "Booba" movie in the year 2000, "booba" became more than just a Tagalog colloquial for dumb or dimwit. When Rufa breathed life to her movie character Booba, it also meant adorable, funny, lovable and caring. Another obvious description of "booba" is Rufa Mae's physical asset of being big-chested.
Moreover, being "booba" or the persona Booba sold Rufa Mae as a comedian on television, comedy films and even in shows here and abroad. It became a bankable character she has often used throughout her showbiz career.
So when word got out that her latest movie "Ang Huling Henya" which opens on Aug. 21, would transform her into a "henya" as opposed to being "booba," it raised some eyebrows.
Rufa Me cleared the air though that "Ang Huling Henya" isn't intended to reinvent her "booba" image. "Henya" which is a Tagalog adjective describing a genius woman, is a description of her new character Miri Alvarez, an agent member of the group named The Agency that's tasked to protect inventors and scientists. Born to super-intelligent parents with a genius brother, she’s still the "booba" in the film, one who would avenge her murdered parents.
As to why "Ang Huling Henya" was used as description for her reinvention, Rufa Mae explained that it’s because of her looks and what was required of her character - serious acting.
For the film, Rufa Mae donned a laid-down look of jeans and leather jackets which to her was far from her usual get-ups. She's used to the glamorous look of wearing high heels, sexy dresses and contact lenses.
"Yung drama part, yung tears, uhog and all, buong hapon at ilang ulit kong ka-eksena yung mga dramatic actors. Na-feel ko yung pagiging serious actor ko. Pero kung funny pa rin siya wala na akong magagawa. Pero at least I have my own style," said Rufa Mae.
For "Ang Huling Henya," Rufa Mae was said to have undergone acting workshops under the Philippine Educational Theater Association or PETA. She even took crash courses in boxing, Muay Thai and gun firing for the film.
Produced by Viva Films, "Ang Huling Henya" is directed by Marlon Rivera who collaborated with writer/director Chris Martinez. Also in the cast are Fabio Ide, Kean Cipriano, Candy Pangilinan, Ayen Laurel, DJ Durano, Ricci Chan, Edgar Allan Guzman, Kalila Aguilos, Valerie Weigmann, Jovic Munsod, Abby Bautista and Robert Sena among others.
Would she rather be called "henya" or "booba?"
"Baka after mapalabas ang movie tawagin na nila akong 'henya.' Pero hindi ko naman ikakahiya ang Booba kasi ang Booba ang nagbigay ng anyo at alindog sa akin," replied Rufa Mae with a smile.
Asked what part of her real life persona is a "henya," she said, "Siguro lahat naman ng tao natututo rin kung gusto mo talagang gawin kahit hindi ka the best doon pag gustong-gusto mo tatalino ka rin. Si Henya kasi marami siyang gustong gawin at marating. Siguro mas wiser na ako ngayon dahil sa mga pinagdaanan ko, mga experiences ko, maturity, dalaga na nga ako!"
The bottom line: Rufa Mae is proud and happy of "Ang Huling Henya" being her lead role movie after a long time. She is confident that like her past comedy flicks, it will bring laughter and put smiles on moviegoers’ face.
"Nagbabalik bida ako at malapit na ang showing kaya hindi ko na alam ang feeling. Excited ako. Nervous, pero naniniwala na lang ako sa positivity na maganda yung ginawa namin. Maligaya lahat so total entertainment nito," she said.
