What convinced Eugene Domingo to take on 'Househusband'

By JOJO P. PANALIGAN
December 2, 2011, 2:25pm

Eugene Domingo has no qualms ending up in real life with a 'househusband'MANILA, Philippines — After having done one film after the other in the last few months, award-winning actress Eugene Domingo had no intention of joining any Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) entry if not for the persistence of OctoArts Films’ top honcho, Orly Ilacad.

“Niligawan talaga nila ako linggo-linggo, di sila sumuko hanggang pumayag ako,” Domingo revealed recently at a press conference for the MMFF entry, “My Househusband: Ikaw Na!”

She said that agreeing to join the cast of the film became easier for her when she found out that its lead stars are Ryan Agoncillo and Judy Ann Santos, both of whom are her friends in real life. Domingo revealed she even called up Ryan Agoncillo’s manager, Noel Ferrer, just before she signed her contract in order to ascertain that the original casting stays.

It also helped that the film is directed by Joey Reyes, who gave Domingo one of her earliest breaks in the ‘90s.

“Mahalaga sa akin na gusto ko yung mga katrabaho ko kasi kapag enjoy ka sa set, it shows in your work at ramdam yun ng manonood,” the comedienne explained.

Her role in “My Househusband: Ikaw Na!” differs from her past roles in that her character, Aida, becomes best friends with Rod (played by Agoncillo), a straight guy. Even in real life, Domingo says she has few straight guy friends “laging babae, bakla, o babaeng bakla” that’s why she finds the point of view of her character interesting.

“I also like it that ang comedy ko dito ay hindi over the top. Alam mo naman si Direk Joey, andun siya sa realistic, andun tayo sa sitwasyon, sa dialogue-an.

“Andun tayo sa sinasabi sa totoong buhay at kung ano ang pwede mong matutunan.”

Aida is a mistress who becomes good friends with Rod, her neighbor whose wife, Mia, is always away because she earns for the family. Aida and Rod ends up really close---watching the same telenovelas even---that Mia becomes jealous of her at one point.

Is she willing to become a mistress if the man is one she truly loves?

“Please Lord, no! Kasi nasa 10 commandments yan na wag ka makikiapid at mamalasin ka. Natiis ko na naman na wala tapos pag nagkaroon, kabit pa, so hindi na, wag na,” Domingo said.

However, it’s perfectly alright with her if she ends up with a “househusband.” 

“Basta ba masipag siya sa loob ng bahay. Pero kung nasa bahay lang siya at nakahilata ay lumayas na lang siya!

“Kung sa bahay lang ang lalaki at napapakinabangan naman ay okay lang na ako ang magtrabaho. Tapos paguwi ko, alam mo na---ako naman ang trabahuin mo!”

According to a release, “My Househusband: Ikaw Na!” is about a married couple who has a non-traditional set-up in that Rod takes care of the house and kids while Mia looks after putting food on the table. Along the way, situations arise that test the arrangement and their relationship.

“My Househusband: Ikaw Na!” is OctoArts Films’ entry to the 2011 MMFF that opens on Dec. 25.