MANILA — “Overwhelming is an understatement of how I felt from the time na tumapak ako sa New York, at the airport sa mga sumundo sa akin. Naalala ko ulit how I was treated in ‘Expats’, like a big star.”
 
This is how international actress Ruby Ruiz described her experience during the premiere of "Expats" in New York City last week. After wrapping up the filming of the series, this was the only time Ruiz was reunited with the staff and her co-stars.
 
“Iyak ako nang iyak. Ako ang pinaka-emotional sa amin. Hindi ko mapigil yung iyak ko because we were really like family in ‘Expats’, seeing everyone including the staff and the producers,” said Ruiz.
 
She even noticed something with Hollywood superstar Nicole Kidman during their catch-up conversation. 

“I said ‘thank you for inviting to the premiere’, she said ‘of course, everybody should be here.’ I felt, di ko alam kung pakiramdam ko lang to, but I felt she was more comfortable now with me. Hindi na yung very professional, mas warm na ngayon. Mas informal na,” she said.
 
Ruiz isn’t the only Filipino actor on the set of "Expats". She was acting alongside Amelyn Pardenilla, a professional singer based in Hong Kong.
 
The series already dropped on Prime Video but those who have seen it first said Episode 5 is the episode to watch out for. Ruiz explained why.

“Episode 5 was the episode that was premiered in Toronto Film Festival, in New York, and several other cities. Lulu Wang, the director would call it the ‘penultimate’ episode,” she said.

The episode, which focused on Ruiz's role as the helper, can stand on its own. Portraying a Filipino nanny in Hong Kong, Ruiz got the chance to speak to Filipinos and even her other co-actors.
 
“Everytime I talk to Amelyn or other Filipino actors, Tagalog na Tagalog. But I also speak Tagalog to my ‘alagas’, to the children I take care of. Very typical of a nanny yung pinortray kong role. Aside from being loving, Essie, kung paano niya tratuhin yung mga anak niya, ganun din yun,” she said.
 
Director Lulu Wang would always consult and collaborate with Ruiz on certain scenes. 

“Everytime she directs me, very sensitive siya sa culture natin. How do you do it? Is this right? What we researched? What do say and what do you do?” said Ruiz.
 
‘Pan de sal’ was also part of the script and Ruiz even ordered for some pan de sal so the staff and her co-stars could taste it.
 
Now, Ruiz is back in Manila, recharged, renewed and re-inspired.

For her, ‘Expats’ is the biggest break of her career.
 
“In my entire life, not just my career. Sobrang life changing yung experience that I had with ‘Expats’. Not just the movie, the filming, the doing it, so many lessons learned,” Ruiz said.
 
“Like attitude is universal, kahit sa kanila walang pa-diva diva not even Nicole Kidman. Doon ko nakita, hindi pwedeng attitude attitude ka. Kahit mga day players, puro graduate ng acting school," she added.
 
Asked if it changed her as an actor, Ruiz said: “I gained more confidence, if there’s any change in me.”
 
Also asked if it did changed her as a person, she added: “It did in a positive way, mas malawak na ang pagtingin ko sa pag-arte. Kaya pala natin, may mailalaban ang Pinoy!”
 
“Yes, it fed my entire being. Because, who would have thought that at the age of 61 then, I would still have this break. Never in my wildest dreams I really feel it’s a blessing from God na mabigyan ako ng ganitong pagkakataon.”
 
As for what's next for her, Ruiz revealed that 'Expats' is already having an impact on her career.
 
“I’m doing an international film with a Filipino-Australian director. I got the project because of ‘Expats’. The director approached Lulu Wang, ‘can you help me, can you recommend anyone since you’re working now with Filipinos, this is the character we’re looking for’. Isa lang daw ang sinagot ni Lulu Wang, ‘why don’t you try contacting Ruby Ruiz.’”
 
Ruiz is particularly excited about this project: “ ‘Coz they gave me the privilege to suggest names, people I’d like to work with or people who I think would be good for the role.”

The international film will feature an all-Filipino cast and be shot entirely in the Philippines. It will be produced by Australian producers and for international festivals and release.
 
—from a report by MJ Felipe, ABS-CBN News

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