After showing off a slimmer, tanned physique, Eugene Domingo admitted she is excited about promoting her new maindie film Tuhog, which pairs her with a younger leading man, Jake Cuenca. “Kami yung lovers dito. Kaya nga sabi ko, sci-fi pala ito eh (laughs). Isa sa mga pinagdasal ko, sana pag nanuod sila, yung suspension of disbelief malala, sana nga matanggap nila eh. ‘Eugene Domingo, Hope To All’ hashtag. Si Jake Cuenca open siya sa lahat ng posibilidad as an actor, very passionate, magtatagal. He's more than just a handsome hunk,” she shared during the Tuhog presscon held last June 29 at the Dolphy theatre inside the ABS-CBN compound.

In this dark comedy, Eugene plays the role of Fiesta, a bitter and lonely bus barker who scares away all the men she meets. Eugene explained the psyche of her character. “Kasi nga inabot na ng kuwarenta at birhen pa rin, talagang susungit di ba? (laughs). Nakakapangsungit talaga yun. Yun ang irony sa sinulat ni Jinky (Laurel) at ni direk Ronnie (Velasco). Siyempre ang kuwento naman ng buhay ng tao ay mas maganda kung may irony. Fiesta pangalan niya pero sa totoo lang araw araw sa kanya papunta na sa araw ng patay, yun ang irony dun. Then one day, dumating nga yung lalake na magmamahal sa kanya at yun na, masarap na (laughs),” she said.

The 41-year-old actress said it really was a risk for her to venture outside comedy but she was impressed by the script when it was presented to her. “Mahirap ipaliwanag pero ang ipinakita namin ay pakiramdam ng katulad ng sa ‘yo, katulad ng sa kanya, lahat kayo malambot lang, vulnerable, marupok, ganun. Lahat tayo naghahanap ng init, kaligayahan, ng pagmamahal. Ganun lang ang ipinakita ko, simple,” she said.

Eugene admitted shooting the scenes inside a non-aircon bus for three whole days was a big acting challenge for her as well as the scene in the hospital after the bus accident. “Mahirap eh, nakasalalay talaga yung lakas ng katawan eh. Ang hirap nung mga eksenang buong araw nasa labas kayo ng highway, andar kayo ng andar, humahampas kayo wala na kayong reklamo, ganun. Nasa ospital kayo, isa lang ang posisyon, nakakangawit, masakit sa katawan. Hindi masyadong kumportable ang panahon pero naniniwala ka sa proyekto, naniniwala kang maganda ito. Maganda ito,” she added.

Out of all the films she has made, Eugene admitted that Tuhog is one of her standout projects. “Kung magsusulat ako ng libro ng buhay ko, isang chapter itong paggawa ng Tuhog. Isa ito sa mga pelikula na sana maipakita sa maraming festivals abroad. It has universal themes plus talagang madi-display ang acting skills,” she said.

Another kind of challenge for the talented comedienne which she enjoyed was shooting her numerous kissing scenes with Jake Cuenca, who plays new bus driver Nato the movie. Eugene said it was not a surprise they had some physical scenes in the movie. “Aba eh hindi naman pe-puwedeng wala. Nasa edad na ako. Hindi puwede. This is fearless. (laughs). Si Jake kung ano yung itsura niya, ganun siya humalik. Kung anong itsura ng lips niya, ganun. Paulit-ulit pa [yung eksena]. Kasi maraming anggulo. Yung scenes na yun hindi mo in-expect eh. Hindi ko rin in-expect. Hindi siya naka-set up. Magugulat ka na lang bilang manunuod, 'Ay susmaryosep nangyayari na,' yung ganun,” she explained.

When it comes to her own love life, Eugene said she would rather focus on her successful career. “Wala, ang tinutuhog ko talaga ngayon ay trabaho, magagandang proyekto, magagandang opportunities para mas maipakita pa natin yung galing ng artistang Pilipino at craft natin. Huwag natin sayangin. Now is the time and thank you talaga sa Skylight at sa Star Cinema sa pagpapakita ng posibilidad ng magandang pelikula,” she said.

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