Alice’s exercise program consists of a 15-kilometer run every week. (Photo by Rudy Liwanag)

MANILA, Philippines — If you’ve spent some time in front of the television set between the late 1980s and during the better part of the 1990s, then you’re no stranger to the disarming smile of one Alice Dixson. With a face that lit up screens and charms that enchanted her audiences, her image is not one to be easily forgotten.

Best remembered for her dazzling role as a fairy princess who fell in love with a human in ‘Okay Ka, Fairy Ko’, Alice has always had that magical look upon her that made her seem too good to be true. As she makes a recent comeback to the local entertainment scene, it appears as though Alice has never broken her stride as she continues to mesmerize audiences with her ageless beauty and grace.

Breaking the scene

As a balik-bayan making her way back to the country having just spent her formative years in New York, Alice broke the scene when she joined a competition in "Eat Bulaga" called ‘Reyna ng Santacruzan’. Although she only took home the second prize in the contest, Alice already caught the attention of talent scouts.

Soon Alice found herself at a screening for the Binibining Pilipinas competition. Young as she was, Alice still qualified to be one of the contestants and ended up winning the Miss Philippines International title that year. “I didn’t have a normal childhood because I was just 16 when I joined Binibining Pilipinas. Looking back on it, I didn’t just win a teen prize; I won one of the major prizes,” Alice recalled.

Her stint as a beauty queen not only changed Alice’s life in terms of status and the fame that came with it; her pursuit in life also took a turn as she began to get exposed to the lifestyle. “It added to the pressure of school because you can’t get pre-med and be a beauty queen at the same time. That’s when I realized that I don’t want to be a doctor and I want to be in communications instead,” Alice explained. “Being a representative of the Philippines, I travelled and I was sort of like a delegate. I thought that I’d rather keep doing this because I enjoyed it,” she added.

After her reign, a promising career in showbiz awaited Alice starting with the role that would make her a household name. “I was 17 when I did ‘Okay Ka, Fairy Ko’. It was my own show and I was a regular. I was playing a fairy and it was so fun. I really enjoyed that time,” Alice revealed. From that point on, Alice never looked back as she basked in the glitz and the glamour of the industry while carving a name for herself as she won awards and accolades for her performances.

All-around woman

As a kid, Alice reveals that she was really exposed to different activities growing up. Her early memories consisted of doing all sorts of stuff together with her father like skateboarding, riding a bike and even fishing. “My dad raised me to be really tomboyish. When I was three, my mom told me that I would run around the house in my diapers wearing boots and a water pistol. Noon palang, boyish na ako and I like to do those things,” Alice recalled.

Her outgoing and active youth also carried over in school where Alice found herself at home with athletics. She was part of the basketball team and the softball team while she attended school at the Notre Dame Academy in Staten Island New York. “In our year book, all of the students had descriptions like ‘Most Likely to Succeed’, ‘Most Popular’, ‘Most Preppy’ and ‘Most Kind and Generous’. Mine said ‘Most Talented’. Because I was so into sports, I was into singing, I was in the band. Madami akong talents,” Alice shared.

Even up to this day, Alice seems to be really comfortable doing anything and everything she can get her hands on. Aside from acting, Alice also busies herself with hobbies that help her express her artistic side. “Right now I’m learning how to sketch and then I want to go back to painting as well. I’m also into photography. My husband gave me a new camera. It’s a hand-me-down because his business in Vancouver is photography, but his hand-me-downs are all professional cameras,” Alice said. “Nahahawa ako sa kanya with his passion for new things and his creative ideas and that’s what I do here. I also find new things to discover. I’m not as high-tech as him but it rubs off a lot,” Alice added.

Alice also maintains her real estate business in Canada, something that she really focuses her efforts  on too, and takes time in between her busy showbiz schedule to fulfill. “I still have my business in Canada so I catch up with emails and talk to people. There’s a 16-hour difference so I sort of time my activities so that I can make my calls during the day in Canada. I actually multi-task and make calls when I’m on the set waiting,” Alice explained.

Staying on top of her game

Alice’s physical appearance still shows that of a young woman and she has running to thank for her extremely fit condition. Her time in Canada has really given Alice the opportunity to enjoy the outdoors along with her fitness regimen. “In Canada I prefer running outdoors. We have nature trails there and I really love it. Sometimes I don’t even bring water because you can drink from the stream, that’s how clean it is,” Alice shared. “That’s where I first experienced running and all I hear is the sound of my breath, my footsteps in the gravel and hear twigs break and the birds chirp. It’s so peaceful,” she added.

Alice reveals that despite not keeping a conscious diet program, her running more than compensates for it as it keeps her body toned. Currently, she has a steady exercise program which consists of 15-kilometers worth of running every week and she plans to step it up a notch and get it to 20 kilometers. That means three to four hours of workout, which she spreads out to three visits to the gym weekly.

Aside from that, Alice also has taken to practicing Bikram Yoga, a practice done in hot and humid temperature. “The humidity and heat is very high and it causes you to perspire a lot and then what happens is that your muscles loosen up and you can actually become more flexible,” Alice explained. “It’s not just the flexibility within the poses but each movement activates a certain gland or system, whether it be your circulation, digestion or cardio; each pose will stimulate it so that blood can rush into that organ and flush it out through sweating,” she added.

Alice has come a long way since coming back to the Philippines and being a newcomer in the industry. She also knows that had her choices been different, her life would’ve taken her somewhere else doing something far from what she’s already done. Yet, there are no regrets for Alice and she cherishes the things that she has gone through in her life. “Kung hindi ako umuwi ng Pilipinas at nag-artista, I’m sure I would’ve just gone to college, lived in a dorm, joined a sorority and all that. Looking back I wouldn’t change anything but I know that my life would have been totally different,” Alice shared.

We’re certainly glad she made the choices she did because I for one couldn’t imagine a life without having glimpsed the immaculate smile of one Alice Dixson.

Catch Alice in her upcoming show Glamorosa which will soon air on TV5.

‘Babaeng Hampaslupa’ marked Alice Dixson’s return to television after many years of living in Vancouver

“After we lived abroad for a long time, na kami lang dalawa, nasanay na kami. It wasn’t really a prayer to us anymore," the actress told PEP in an interview posted on Oct. 12.

Alice clarified that they “did both want kids right away” during the early years of their marriage, and that “It’s not like I can’t have kids. I can have kids.”

“We decided eventually that we didn’t want to have kids and we’re happy just the two of us… A lot of people don’t really get that’s the way we want,” the actress intimated.

Meanwhile, Alice debunked persistent rumors that she and Ronnie have already separated.

“Physically, hiwalay kami. He’s there [sa Canada], nandito ako,” Alice said.

Alice and Ronnie have been based in Vancouver, Canada for more than 10 years, with the former occasionally flying back to Manila for showbiz commitments. Because of this, the couple had often found themselves the subject of separation rumors.

According to PEP, this particular gossip started when Alice went back to the Philippines to film her first TV5 primetime series, “Babaeng Hampaslupa” in January this year.

“Siguro para may mapag-usapan [kaya lumabas yung tsismis]. But it’s not true,” the actress added.

To prove her point, Alice related that she went back to Vancouver after "Hampaslupa" and only got back recently to film her second TV5 teleserye, the upcoming “Glamorosa.”

Because of “Glamorosa,” Alice said she wasn’t able to stay for the launch of Ronnie’s company Gigapixel.com and its“first gigapixel camera, a 360-degree camera that goes underneath the scoreboard.”

“It’s hard. Like, I love to see his achievements. I’m really proud of him. Parang I wish I can be there,” she said.

Alice also said that jealousy is a non-issue between them.

“Respetuhan lang,” Alice expressed, adding that Ronnie wouldn’t have allowed her to work miles from home if they don’t trust each other.

Like perhaps most women, Alice admitted to being jealous when it comes to Ronnie but maintains that she trusts him.

“Hindi mo naman mako-control ang isang tao, right? But I trust him. What he does with that trust, it’s up to him," she said.

More, the actress said that both she and Ronnie do not dictate one another on what to do when it comes to their respective lines of work.

“Sometimes he asks me about, let’s say, his business and I give my two cents, [but] only if he asks me,” she told PEP.

MANILA, Philippines – It seems the popularity of TV drama series is not dying anytime soon as TV networks continuously offer attention-grabbing plots that effectively capture televiewers’ interest. One of them is TV5 which is coming up with another soap, titled Glamorosa, to premiere in November.

TV5’s latest drama offering will premiere in November. It topbills Lorna Tolentino (third from left) and
Alice Dixson under the direction of Eric Quizon (leftmost) with (from left) Ronaldo Valdez, Lotlot de Leon,
Tonton Gutierrez and Zoren Legaspi in the cast.

The title itself connotes beauty and sophistication but its tagline — Huwad na pag-ibig, huwad na pangarap, huwad na pagkatao — implies Glamorosa is more than just about looking good and being always in style.

“Yes,” said director Eric Quizon before the start of the scheduled 2 p.m. story conference at Victoria Place where The STAR was exclusively invited to “eavesdrop,” witness costume changes for pictorial and interview Glamorosa stars. “Glamorosa will show some cosmetic surgery procedures and the glamorous lifestyle but the glamour is just the backdrop of the show.”

More than the elegance, direk Eric said, the show remains to be a love story and a family drama.

 “There’s also an illustration of how anger can lead to vengeance and deceit. But of course, the success of the show is not only dependent on the story but also on the stars and the people working behind the camera.”

Lorna Tolentino and Alice Dixson topbill the drama series as Natalia and Paulina, respectively. The former will play the beautiful and kind cosmetic surgeon while the latter is the clinic assistant who secretly is plotting an evil scheme against her.

Asked if direk Eric personally chose Lorna and Alice as main stars, he replied, “No, I didn’t. It’s a joy to work with them. They are very professional, alam naman natin ang kakayahan ni LT and one thing with Alice is she’s working hard on her scenes, kahit ano gagawin n’ya.”

Direk Eric was also Alice’s director in the recently-concluded Babaeng Hampaslupa while he had worked with Lorna in the 1997 hit movie Pusong Mamon. 

Is he the type who would turn high-pitched or raise his voice when cameras start grinding?

“(Laughs). I don’t normally shout but I talk to them and tell them what I want because I believe if you have an open relationship with your actors, workflow is smoother. As for new talents (Ritz Azul, Meg Imperial and Victor Silayan), they’re all okay. If they become a headache, well, their heads will ache more, ha, ha, ha,” quipped direk Eric.

“Me? I can’t tell you anything yet about my role because it’s only now that everything has been finalized,” said Martin Escudero, who was already seated on the table with Ritz and Meg when we arrived at the venue 15 minutes before the start of story con. “What I know is I have to dress up this good (pointing at his get up) all the time.”

“This is our first meeting and it is only now that we will get to know our respective roles,” offered Ritz, who later found out that she will play Lorna’s daughter Giselle. “I’m nervous because it’s my first time to be working with veteran stars.”

Martin has started working out weeks after learning about the project. “Kailangan maganda ang katawan ko kaya double time ang pag-e-exercise. I run and do therapy training for muscles and shoulders,” he added.

Acting-wise, Martin is at ease doing drama. His recent portrayal of a young architect in Babaeng Hampaslupa and that of a gay in Zombadings proved that he could act — be it in drama or comedy. Still, Martin feels he has to be on his toes all the time “because they’re all good actors, ‘di pwede pa-bandying-bandying.”

Zoren Legaspi, on the other hand, was clueless about how Glamorosa would unfold. It’s been two weeks, he said, since he asked for the script.

“I want to read the whole story so I can complement my look with the character like how should I dress up or anong klase dapat yung gupit ko,” Zoren added.

Even Alice and Lorna are still thinking of a better approach to their characters. Glamorosa is Lorna’s first TV project after she signed a one-year exclusive contract with the Kapatid network. Lorna kept on asking direk Eric how she should look. “Do I have to wear glasses?” “Do I need to put heavy make-up?” “Am I beautiful from beginning to end?”

For her part, Alice revealed that playing bida is tough but it’s even tougher to play an effective kontrabida which she has to portray this time.

“But it’s something I look forward to (doing) para maiba naman. I will research for my character to see all the different ways so I can give another dimension to it.”

Will the show somehow promote beauty clinics or cosmetic surgery?

“I’m not sure but I think it might have an effect because we’re going to show some procedures. I hope people will find the show interesting because it’s not just about beauty but also drama. Life is full of drama, lahat tayo may ganyan,” direk Eric said.

Two of the country’s most beautiful faces, Alice Dixson and Dawn Zulueta, come back to what they do best—acting.

After a long time of taking a step back from the limelight, Okay ka Fairy Ko alumnae Alice and Dawn grace the local small screen once again by being part of TV5′s Babaeng Hampaslupa, and ABS-CBN’s remake of Mula sa Puso respectively.

Alice, who has taken a break from acting six years ago, and has settled with husband Ronnie Miranda in Canada as a licensed realtor, is happy to be back in the country and be able to act again via TV5′s first-ever drama series Ang Babaeng Hampaslupa.

Ang Babaeng Hampaslupa, which started airing last February, showcases Alice playing the character of Diana Wong, a Filipina who married a Chinese man and was put through obstacles in search for her missing daughter, Elizabeth Wong, who is portrayed by Alex Gonzaga.

Alice revealed that her first day at taping was already a challenge because she immediately had to play the role of a mother losing her sanity over her lost child. Alice, however, did not hear any "cut" from the directors. When asked about what she missed most in showbiz, Alice admitted that it being in front of the camera and acting, even though business is going well for her in Canada.

Alice also shared that she was excited to work with veteran actors like Ms. Susan Roces, Eddie Garcia, Susan Africa, and many others in this project. She added that seeing new generation of actors like Alex Gonzaga and Alwyn Uytingco makes her feel like she can finally identify herself as a veteran actor.

"Young actors really remind me of the time I started my showbiz career. It’s nice to reminisce once in a while ," she quipped.

Possessed with a striking beauty, it is not a surprise to many that Jessica Alice Dixson or simply Alice Dixson, was a former beauty queen who once represented the country in the Miss International pageant in 1986. She was a model known for singing the line "I can feel it" in a soap commercial before she became an actress.

As an actress, Alice charmed her way in local television and was instantly adored by viewers of all ages when she played her debut role, Faye, the princess fairy, in the hit comedy program of the 90′s, Okay Ka Fairy Ko. Alice, however, left the show two years later and pursued other projects. She was then replaced by model turned actress Tweetie de Leon. After Okay Ka Fairy Ko, Alice portrayed diverse roles in numerous movie and television projects which tested her talent in acting and made her to be one of the most bankable actors of her time.

By coincidence, Dawn Zulueta also played the role Faye in Okay Ka Fairy Ko, replacing Tweetie de Leon and becoming the show’s mainstay until it ended airing.

Not only known for her doe-eyed beauty, but for her commendable acting as well, Marie Rachel Salman, popularly known as Dawn Zulueta, is now back on track after lying low on acting and focusing on being a full-time mom. This time, she reprises the role of Magda Trinidad (originally played by Jaclyn Jose), in the iconic drama series of the 90′s, Mula sa Puso which started airing March 28. Magda is the lover of Fernando Perreira and is the lost mother of Via Perreira, who is the sole heiress to the Perreira wealth. Via was kidnapped on her 18th birthday and was sent to be killed by her greedy Aunt, Selina. Via survives the accident and incidentally falls under the care of her scar mother Magda, who now has a big scar on her face because of an acid attack made by Selina.

As a veteran actress, Dawn said that she is excited to work with other veteran actors like Eula Valdez (Selina) and Ariel Rivera (Fernando) whom she had a chance to work with in the past.

"I think the last time that I worked with Eula was in early ’90s, we were still young then. I’m really excited ’cause I know Eula’s really good. Of course it feels good as a performer to know that you are working with the best , it helps," shared Dawn.

Dawn was also surprised with the dedication shown by the young actors in the set of Mula sa Puso, like JM de Guzman (Gabriel) saying that she was "proud and excited for all these young stars’ that ABS-CBN is currently training because she can see that these budding actors are "very promising."

For someone who started out as a model for a toothpaste commercial during her younger years, Dawn has come a long way and has proven her effectiveness as an actor with her performance in movies like Hihintayin Kita Sa Langit (1991), in which she was awarded Best Actress by the Gawad Urian; her performance in the biographical rape-story Maggie dela Riva Story (1994); and the horror film Patayin Sa Sindak Si Barbara (1995).

With all these credits, Dawn is inspired to help the next generation of actors, saying an interview with The Buzz last March 13 that she knew where these young actors of today are coming from, having been there herself.

"I was once guided by veteran actors (when I started acting). "I feel like I’m in a good position to do that for them. I’m ready to become sort of a mentor to learn from them as well.’

Currently signed under new contracts with their respective networks, Alice (signed under TV5) hopes to engage once again in movie projects after Ang Babaeng Hampaslupa, while Dawn (signed under ABS-CBN) sees hosting as something she would try doing after making a soap opera.

QUITE A number of viewers have been complaining that some leading teleserye talents are over-exposed on TV, going from one series to another with hardly any chance to think up fresh characterizations. These ubiquitous talents who are too busy for their own good include Cherry Pie Picache, Jean Garcia, Eula Valdez and Gina Pareño.

Seen one way, their being so “in demand” for teleseryes is a compliment to their acting ability, effectivity and versatility. But, even versatile performers run out of creativity and vitality, so a time away from the cameras to rest, take stock and recharge is definitely in order.

Who can replace them, at least for the next few months? It’s encouraging to note that we don’t lack for other character actresses who can come up with interesting performances on TV. At the moment, the gifted likes of Amy Austria, Alice Dixson and Lorna Tolentino are back in thespic harness again, and viewers are benefiting from their engaged and involved portrayals.

Some months ago, singers Isay Alvarez and Dulce added to the “viewability” of “Juanita Banana.” Before that, Mitch Valdes made one of her rare TV appearances on Regine Velasquez’s “musical soap” last year, and similarly delighted viewers with her antic and informed portrayal.

Major concern

Perhaps other singers like Kuh Ledesma, Monique Wilson and Pat Castillo can also be persuaded to give TV acting a go? There are so many teleseryes being produced these days that the lack of “fresh” (not overexposed) talents has become a major concern, so singers who act can beef up the acting pool.

Incidentally, some TV insiders admit that the talent squeeze is affecting other areas of production, like scriptwriting. Quite a number of TV scriptwriters are already “written out” (translation: depleted and exhausted), so even new writers have had to be conscripted to keep the supply of scripts coming.

Other encouraging developments include the return to teleserye acting of veteran actresses like Lollie Mara and Nova Villa.

Lollie is currently playing the mother of Zoren Legaspi in “Nita Negrita,” a relatively new series about a really black-complexioned girl who is razzed and harassed to the melodramatically breaking point by the many racists around her. For her part, Nova portrays a kind but sickly woman in the same soap, a departure from her usual sitcom persona.

Their male counterparts are also being kept busy by the booming teleserye trade, which has practically become a sub-industry of the small screen.

Ever the reliable performer, Ronaldo Valdez is tightening the dramatic screws on “Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin,” while Eddie Garcia has just made his appearance on “Babaeng Hampaslupa” as the latest nemesis of Susan Roces and Alice Dixson. The plot feistily coagulates!

These two photos of Alice Dixson were taken by her husband, Ronnie Miranda, who is a graphic artist. Based in Vancouver, the couple has been married for 11 years. Alice is back purposely to star in the hit TV5 soap Ang Babaeng Hampaslupa.

It felt like starting all over again.

On the first day she shot for the TV5 hit soap Babaeng Hampaslupa, Alice Dixson admitted that she experienced “first-time” jitters, “may konting kaba.” After all, the last time she acted was more than five years ago, in the movie Enteng Kabisote (as mother fairy Ina Magenta) and in the GMA soap Hanggang Kailan.

But the “jitters” were replaced by the excitement of working for the first time with the likes of Susan Roces, Freddie Webb and Jay Manalo, and the new breed of actors led by Alex Gonzaga and Martin Escudero. The fact that Eric Quizon was the soap’s director helped calm Alice’s nerves.

“I’ve worked with Eric as an actor in a few movies (Underage 2, etc.) and it’s a new experience working with him as my director,” added Alice. “Also in the cast is Eddie Garcia with whom I’ve worked in a few movies (Sa Ngalan ng Ama, etc.), and so with Joyce (Bernal, Eric’s co-director) in Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw which I did with Richard Gomez and Christopher de Leon.”

There wasn’t any “breaking the ice” stage, though.

“My first scenes were with Jay (as her husband) and I simply introduced myself to him. After that, nag-kuwentuhan na kami and we’ve been comfortable with each other since then,” said Alice who plays Susan’s daughter in Hampaslupa (with Alex as Alice and Jay’s daughter in an epic drama that spans three generations). “I was elated na pumayag siyang gawin ‘yung soap. I learned that we would be together only when I was here already. Then, we met during the story conference.”

	Alice (another shot by Ronnie)

In Vancouver where she and husband Ronnie Miranda are based, Alice is into commercial and residential real estate while Ronnie, a graphic artist, has his own business (gigapixel.com dealing with high-resolution photography). “Actually,” said Alice, “mas sikat siya kaysa sa akin doon,” adding, “even if I’m here, I continue doing business in Vancouver. I have partners there.” (Note: Visit www.gigapixel.com, Ronnie’s website, and marvel at his showcase of the beauty of Vancouver and some of his work.)

The TV5 offer came at the right time.

“In September last year, my mom (who’s based in the US) asked me if I could accompany her during her vacation here in December last year. I said, ‘Wala naman akong trabahong gagawin d’un, but let me see if I can find one, a TV guesting or something, para sulit naman ang pag-uwi ko.’ She said, ‘Okey, anak, ipagdadasal ko ‘yon.’ So I sent ‘feelers’ to my friends in the industry. TV5 initially contacted me for a sitcom guesting in December. Then, they told me that they were putting me instead in a new soap. I said, ‘What’s the role?’ N’ung ikinuwento nila sa akin, I liked it right away.”

Hampaslupa co-stars Alex Gonzaga (left) and Susan Roces who plays the matriarch of a troubled clan

When Alice, who was here two years ago to sort out family matters, asked Ronnie’s permission, his first reaction was, “What, how long are you going to be away?’ Siempre, it’s a soap at medyo may kahabaan. I gave him some time to think about it and when we talked again, he told me, ‘Sige, if it’s really what you want to do, okey lang.’ He gave me the opportunity to make my own decision. So I came back in January and my mom followed only last February.”

I told Alice that when married actresses based abroad (Ruffa Gutierrez, Sheryl Cruz and Nikki Valdez among them) come home to resume their rudely-interrupted showbiz careers, the first question that pops up in the mind of showbiz-watchers is, “Hmmmm, is anything wrong with the marriage?”

Thankfully, in Alice and Ronnie’s case, there’s none.

“Sa awa ng Diyos, knock on wood, everything’s okay with our marriage,” said Alice. She and Ronnie have been married for 11 years now. If that’s the trend (Showbiz couples breaking up, that is. — RFL), natatakot din ako. I hope it doesn’t happen to us.”

Up to now, the couple doesn’t have a child. After a “false alarm,” they decided to give up hope of ever having one.

Back at work, so far, it’s been so good — so very, very good, in fact, that TV5 has asked Alice to stay longer. Her initial contract was only until next month but TV5 might extend Babaeng Hampaslupa due to its wide following and put Alice in another show.

In May, Alice will go back to Vancouver to attend to pressing business matters and come back in June to start work on the new show.

A Bb. Pilipinas-International in 1986, how does Alice keep her beauty-queen figure?”

“No secret,” said Alice. “I eat whatever I like and I exercise a lot. Ganoon lang.”  

Last February 7, we caught the premiere telecast of TV5’s first teleserye “Babaeng Hampaslupa,” and were properly impressed by the station’s declaration that the landmark drama series’ first episode would be “shown with no commercial breaks.”

But, before we could be properly appreciative of the “commercial-free” viewing treat, a colleague rained on our parade by cynically speculating, “Hey, could it just possibly be that the new show is being telecast without interruptions not due to the channel’s artistic altruism, but because it hasn’t attracted any commercial placements just yet?”

To settle the issue, we tuned in to the show the following Wednesday—and found that exceedingly few spots were being aired. Go figure.

About the “Babaeng Hampaslupa” production itself: It has visual scope and dramatic scale, and that’s all to the good. This early, however, its action still doesn’t include the subplots involving the Susan Roces and young lead Alex Gonzaga, and concentrates on the character played by Alice Dixson, who’s making a comeback. She looks good for her age, a decided plus for her just-revived career.

In the show’s unfolding story, she plays a really impoverished woman who’s made to work like a dog by a nasty relative—until she’s rescued by a Chinoy who turns out to be the wayward son of a wealthy taipan (Freddie Webb). After reconciling with his father, he takes his wife to live the life of the rich and superstitious.

Huh? Well, it seems like the taipan is fixated on bringing good luck to his family’s troubled fortunes, and it is “divined” that the child the now pregnant Alice is carrying will be the key to that all-important reversal of bad luck.

Little princess

So, despite all the efforts of rival siblings to put Alice down, her baby is treated like a little princess—until, one terrible day, Alice faints after imbibing a “health” potion provided by an in-law. Horror of horrors, when she regains consciousness, her baby is gone!

In time, we figure, the child could resurface as a dirt-poor character played by Gonzaga, another “babaeng hampaslupa” who will avenge all the horrors and terrors heaped on the head of her poor mother, Alice.

Other initial notes: There are too many mestizo actors in the show who unsuccessfully try to pass themselves off as Chinoy—Freddie Webb, Bing Loyzaga, etc.

Couldn’t production have found more ethnically appropriate and credible actors to cast in key roles?

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.

CANADA-BASED Alice Dixson, who has come out of retirement and signed up for a show on TV5, said relocating to Manila has forced her to keep a “long-distance love affair” with her husband.

The actress and former beauty queen is in the cast of the drama series “Ang Babaeng Hampaslupa” on the Kapatid channel, with actors Susan Roces, Alex Gonzaga, Jay Manalo, among others.

“It’s still early to say how long I’ll stay here,” Dixson said during a media gathering on Thursday. “I signed up for one season but I was told that if everything goes well, there will be another one. I don’t have kids so it’s easier for me to travel. My husband (businessman Ronnie Miranda) can’t be here with me.”

Alice, who was last seen on TV six years ago, said her husband was very supportive of her decision to go back to show biz.

“When I first told him, he asked, ‘Bakit?’ I had to explain to him how I terribly miss acting,” said Alice, now a realtor in Canada. “I also told him that my mom wanted to come home, too. I guess that’s why I married him. He’s not the overly protective type. He lets me grow.”

Alice recalled that she suffered from insecurity while adjusting to life in Canada. Her husband helped her get started: “He told me to go out and send my resume to different companies. He helped me develop myself. He’s very open-minded.”

What do you miss most about show biz?

How about what I don’t miss? I don’t like the intriga, although I know that it’s part of work. I miss being in front of the camera and acting. I always think about what Julia Roberts said, “I love acting so much that I’d do it for free.”

What made you say yes to relocating here?

At first, I was offered to appear on a different show, “Inday Wanda.” I also planned to come home for the Christmas holidays, so I told them I was interested. They didn’t call back for a month, and when they did, they already had a big project for me. I didn’t say yes immediately. I agreed only when I got more information about the project. I learned that this is the first ever TV drama show of Channel 5.

Tell us about your role.

The show is about my character’s search for a missing child, as well as the trials she goes through as a Filipina marrying into a Chinese family. I’ve never played a role like this before. Jay plays my husband.

How was your first day at work?

We already worked on the hardest scenes on the first day! My character loses her mind when she can’t find her daughter. She is accused of neglecting her child when in fact, there’s a conspiracy within the family to drive her out. Because of this, she was confined in a mental institution for five years. I think I did well naman.

How do you describe working here now compared to six years ago?

It’s hard to compare. My director on this show, Eric Quizon, used to be my on-screen partner. I’ve worked with Joyce Bernal, Eric’s co-director, in my last two soap series,"Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw” and “Hanggang Kailangan.” It’s easy to jump in if you already know your co-workers.

Do you still have dream projects?

One of my dreams is to work on a film by Lupita Kashiwahara. I’ve worked with her for a TV show. I would really like to work with her again. I admire her a lot. I also requested to work with Eric onscreen.

How’s your life in Canada as Mrs. Ronnie Miranda?

I wake up at 8 a.m., do my morning rituals and then go to the office. I prepare dinner when I come home. If there’s time, I go to the gym at night. My husband and I only get to spend time in the evening and on weekends. We both like to explore different places. I have very few good friends. I think it’s because you develop friendship over a long period of time, not instantly. I grew up in Manila so my deep friendships were formed here.

Who are your show biz best friends?

I keep in touch with Amy Austria, Isabel Rivas, Lorna Tolentino and Maricel Laxa. Ruffa (Gutierrez) is my friend, but it’s hard to keep in touch with her. She changes her cell phone number often. She also has no time to answer e-mails.

Do you watch Filipino shows in Canada?

We don’t subscribe to Filipino channels there. I was only able to watch “Inday Wanda” after I downloaded it from the web. When I came home, I noticed that nothing has changed, although I haven’t seen a lot of shows yet. I only got to watch the news and “Willing Willie.”

Vancouver-based Alice Dixson returns to acting anew via TV5’s soap, “Babaeng Hampaslupa,” which she says has so many “firsts” that she just couldn’t refuse doing it.

MANILA, Philippines – Vancouver-based Alice Dixson returns to acting anew via TV5’s soap, “Babaeng Hampaslupa,” which she says has so many “firsts” that she just couldn’t refuse doing it.

“It’s the first original drama soap ng TV5 and  the first time for a local soap na Chinese-themed ang takbo ng story. Then of course, andyan ulit yung chance na maktrabaho ko ulit si Direk Eric Quizon, who used to be my leading man, at si Direk Joyce [Bernal],” she said in an interview with Bulletin Entertainment and select members of the press on Jan 13.

The last time Alice was seen at work as actress was on a teleserye for another network some six years ago.

Though some might confuse Alice’s soap as a remake of the Nida Blanca-starrer of the same title, it isn’t. TV5’s “Babaeng Hampaslupa” has an original story which revolves around a woman who has to endure a lot of trials after having been integrated into a pure Chinese family.

Alice admits missing acting so much that she would risk the intrigues that go with being part of showbiz if it means being able to indulge in her passion.

“I can relate to what Julia Roberts said that she’d do this [acting] even if she’s not paid for it. Ang nagpapamahal lang naman talaga sa fee ng artista ay yung lifestyle nila. You have to spend a lot on yourself kapag artista ka.

“Yung intriga, naiintindihan ko. Alam ko that it’s part of showbiz and that hindi na talaga maaalis yon,” she said.

She and her husband, Ronnie, would have to conduct a “long-distance love affair” while “Babaeng Hampaslupa” is ongoing. Alice said it’s not a problem since he is very understanding and supportive of her career.

“It’s one of the reasons I married him,” she quipped.

Asked about her life in Canada, Alice said that she works in real estate. During the weekends, she and Ronnie usually hit the road to travel to other parts of the city instead of watching Filipino shows on cable or online as many Pinoy migrants or OFWs are wont to do.

She wouldn’t say how many projects she has lined up for TV5 but judging by the anecdote that TV5 bigwig Perci Intalan shared, the network has had Alice in mind for projects even before they even began tracking her down.

“It just so happened that a week later after we got to talking about her, I learned that we have a common friends from whom I got her number. It’s serendipity that she’s here with us now,” said Perci.

Premiering in February, “Babaeng Hampaslupa” also stars Alex Gonzaga, Jay Manalo, Freddie Webb, Bing Loyzaga, Celso Ad Castillo, Karel Marquez, Diane Medina, Susan Africa, Vandolph, Jenny Quizon, Alwyn Uytingco and Martin Escudero.