CinemaBravo

What started as a casual visit to the Maddox Jewelry showroom along JP Rizal Street in Concepcion Uno, Marikina City turned into a heartfelt and meaningful conversation between actress-host Pokwang and Charo Cordial.

The two sat down for a podcast where they talked about life struggles, success, family, and the realities of working in the entertainment industry.

Having spent 22 years in showbiz, Pokwang was asked by Ms. Charo which she finds more difficult — making people laugh or making them cry.

“Para sa akin, mas mahirap ang comedy. Minsan wala ka sa mood pero kailangan mong humarap sa tao na masaya ka. Minsan naman, kailangan mong tantyahin ang crowd.”

(For me, comedy is harder. Sometimes you’re not in the mood, but you still have to face people and make them feel happy. There are also times when you have to read the crowd carefully.)

The comedienne also admitted that comedy has become more challenging today because audiences are now more sensitive compared to before.

“Parang lumiliit na ang mundo ng comedy.”

(It feels like the world of comedy is becoming smaller.)

Pokwang also opened up about the hardships she experienced growing up. She recalled living in poverty and not even having a television at home, prompting them to watch from neighbors’ houses or peek through windows just to catch TV shows.

According to her, those experiences strengthened her faith and belief in prayer. Before entering showbiz, Pokwang first worked as an overseas Filipino worker in hopes of changing her life.

She admitted that she never imagined becoming part of the entertainment industry.

“Hindi talaga! Kasi kapag sinabi mong artista, dapat mestiza, maganda. Buti na lang talaga at nagbukas ang pinto para sa mga katulad namin.”

(Not at all. Back then, when you said “actress,” people expected someone mestiza and beautiful. Thankfully, doors eventually opened for people like us.)

Ms. Charo said she could relate to Pokwang’s story, recalling how she also experienced borrowing Betamax tapes and watching from neighbors’ homes during her younger years.

While Pokwang came from a family of 12 siblings, Ms. Charo shared that they were eight in their household. She also revealed that one habit she still cannot break is constantly checking on her parents in Bicol.

The conversation later turned emotional when Pokwang asked Ms. Charo what she remains most thankful for when it comes to her parents.

“Ngayong nandito na tayo sa totoong buhay, may mga anak at sariling pamilya, doon mo mare-realize lahat. Masasabi mo na lang talaga, ‘Ma, thank you. Pa, thank you.’”

(Now that we’re living real life, raising children and building our own families, that’s when you truly realize everything. You just end up saying, “Mom, thank you. Dad, thank you.”)

Pokwang, meanwhile, shared that she gained a deeper appreciation for her own mother after giving birth to her eldest son.

The two also reflected on how similar their life missions became — giving their parents the kind of life they once only dreamed of.

As mothers, they agreed that parents today need to pay closer attention to their children, especially with the growing influence of social media.

They also shared the professions they once dreamed of pursuing before eventually becoming successful actresses and businesswomen.

The full podcast featuring Pokwang and Ms. Charo is available on the Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok pages of Maddox Jewelry.