by Shirley Matias-Pizarro, Manila Bulletin

MANILA, Philippines — When news about Alice Dixson’s return to showbiz surfaced recently, a joke immediately circulated, connecting her with the biggest news before the year ended – the acquittal and release of the Vizconde Massacre suspects.

It will be recalled that all the youthful suspects (during the time of the murders over 15 years ago) have been convicted on the strength of the testimony of “star witness” Jessica Alfaro. Consequently, a movie on her life directed by Carlo J. Caparas was shown back then, and the lead star was none other than Alice Dixson.

Now the joke is that “because the Department of Justice (DoJ) failed to bring back the real Jessica Alfaro, they opted to bring back Alice Dixson in her stead.”

The real Alice Dixson laughed out loud when she was told of this joke during her small press conference last Thursday at Dulcinea in Greenbelt, Makati. Alice gamely joked, “I think I know where the real Jessica Alfaro lives in Canada. But I will not give you her phone number.”

Anyway, Alice is back in the country for TV5’s first ever teleserye, “Babaeng Hampaslupa” starring Alex Gonzaga. Alice confessed to missing acting, from which she’s been away for six years.

Now, she has combined domestic chores (she’s doing some property managerial duties for her Mom while here in the Philippines) with acting.

Alice said the offer was originally for “Babaeng Hampaslupa” only, but now, she said, talks are underway for additional shows that she can still do after meeting the network’s bigwigs for a contract-signing that same Thursday.

Alice said, when that happens, she may be temporarily based in the Philippines again. She added that her Mommy Caring is also thinking of moving back to the country again. Alice sees all these as good enough reasons to be back.

She is confident, however, that her family life will not be affected negatively in any way by the decision. “We have no kids anyway. My husband Ronnie Miranda is also busy with his work in Canada. My business can be taken care of even if I decide to be here. This has happened before, I have stayed here in 2002 to do some shows and I was here for three years. He was there and it worked out fine for both of us,” she said giving assurance that there is really no complication to speak of.

“It’s going to be a long distance love affair again,” she said with a smile.

In the meantime, we’ll be seeing Alice on the TV5 soap to be aired starting February after “Willing Willie” on a daily basis. Also in “Babaeng Hampaslupa” are Freddie Webb, Celso Ad Castillo and Susan Roces, among others.