As Resorts World Manila stages it's first all-OPM musical with the adaptation of the unforgettable ‘80's film Bituing Walang Ningning, Cris Villonco admitted she was more that happy to be offered the role of the iconic kontrabida Lavinia. “They called and asked if I was interested to do Lavinia and that was it. Bituing Walang Ningning is my favorite Filipino film aside from Hihintayin Kita sa Langit. All of that I used to watch everyday. To play Lavinia is a dream come true,” she said.

Now that she is also active on TV, Cris said she is not bothered about being typecast as a villain. “I have no problem being a kontrabida. When they offered this to me I said yes in a second. There are a lot of people who are very upset with me even with the other work that I'm doing now. Madaming galit, specifically senior citizens and children who watch our show and it's been an interesting thing and you know, it's a job and if they hate me then it means I'm doing my job so, yay me (laughs),” she told Push.com.ph.

Even with an angelic face, Cris said being on stage has enabled her to do a variety of roles. “I think it's good kung gusto pa nila ako kunin for more stuff (on TV) kasi lumalabas talaga yung pagka-taray ko eh. Alam niyo, accept niyo na lang na mataray ako. Itong chubby cheeks ko ito yung nag-fu-fool sa mga tao. Mukhang mabait lang. Yes I am very mean and I love it (laughs). But one thing I loved about being part of theater for such a long period of time is that many directors were able to give me my own playground to do different roles. I was Maria and then I was an ingenue, I actually worked with Mark Bautista in Noli Me Tangere as Maria Clara. Now that I'm venturing into more of film and TV, other people are actually giving me the chance to experiment and become a kontrabida. A lot of people think that I'm very nice because of my very angelic round face. But it can fool a lot of people (laughs),” she added.

The 31-year-old actress said she is looking forward to working again with Mark who is reprising the role originally played by Christopher De Leon. “Even back in Noli Me Tangere, Mark has always been an intense actor so I also can't wait how he's going to portray Nico Escobar. Wala naman siguro nagbago sa aming dalawa pero sana mas raunchy naman ngayon (laughs). Kasi wholesome kami noon eh as Maria Clara and Jose Rizal,” she adds.

It's been 30 years since Sharon Cuneta and Cherie Gil did the movie which Cris says is going to be exciting to see how it will translate to the stage. “Actually we're excited, I haven't read the libretto yet pero director Freddie Santos says he's going to stay faithful to the movie so let's see what happens. I think it will be exciting because with the songs that will be part of this show, it will cross generations and Bituing Walang Ningning, it's about the glitz, the glamour and the behind-the-scenes of being a star. So what better way to do it than in a very big stage that will show a lot of spectacular things and fabulosity and all that so I think it's the perfect venue to have Bituing Walang Ningning and what's better than having a Filipino production? I have a feeling people will watch this again and again and again just to listen to how beautiful these songs are,” she explained.

Among one of the most anticipated scenes for Cris is when she delivers Lavinia's iconic line, “You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard, copycat.” Does Cris think she can do it justice? “I cannot say it yet, that is the winning line so hintayin niyo lang po yung show. But I cannot wait because Bituing Walang Ningning is one of my favorite Tagalog movies and Lavinia is a character that I've always wanted to portray and since I'm given the chance to play kontrabida roles now, I will milk it and I will do my best,” she said.

Cris admitted she would be nervous if Cherie Gil watched her show. “Parang huwag muna (laughs). And also because hello, baka if she watches me sabihin pa niya, 'Sinira mo!' (laughs) Di ba? So tingnan muna natin kung anong ginawa ni sir Freddy sa libretto and then let's see if I can do it. Pressure! I would rather not know if she was there. Or I don't know, maybe I'd ask tips from her. (laughs). I know her naman so I don't know how she's going to feel when she finds out I was picked for the role,” she admitted.

Although there will still be open auditions to be held for the role of Dorina this month at Resorts World Manila, Cris said she is confident they will find the perfect fit in the end. “Even in theater ang daming fresh talent ngayon. Ang daming bata. Ang daming hungry to be noticed and be discovered. So I think this is going to be a difficult search,”she said.

But if she was given the chance to choose, Cris said she love to get the chance to torment Angeline Quinto onstage as Dorina. “Ang daming puwedeng puwede eh. Gustong gusto ko apihin on stage ay mahirap ito. On both stations yung isa si Angeline Quinto, yung isa si Jonalyn Viray. Puwede silang dalawa eh. As in I can see it happening so tingnan na lang natin kung sinong pupunta sa auditions. Sana (laughs). Malay natin di ba? For the role of Dorina it would be interesting to see her in it also because I've seen her act in other projects and she's a wonderful singer and she can out-sing me any day and it would be so nice to see that kind of exchange onstage because these are the kind of people who haven't been onstage, who haven't done this, so what great way than to have them here as well,” she said.