Even as she already found her niche in late night talk radio, Francine Prieto is not about to give up on her TV and film career, which recently took off anew with not just one but two new shows on different networks.
“I have a new travel show on PTV 4 called ‘Biyahero’ which we are currently taping and I’m also in the cast of the new ABS-CBN teleserye, ‘Ina, Kapatid, Anak’ where I play Martina, Xian Lim’s mother”, the former sexy star told InterAksyon during a recent interview at the studios of 103.5 WOW FM where she goes on the air for “Xtra Xervice”, the nightly talk show she co-hosts with DJs Dehins Trillo and Boy Dale.
Francine said people have been asking her why she took on the role of Xian’s mom in when at only 30, the towering half-Norwegian actress and one-time Binibining Pilipinas finalist still looks young, attractive and more than talented enough to give today’s leading ladies a good run for their money.
“Eh kasi wala naman akong pinipiling role, sa ‘Imortal’, vampire ako dun, sa ‘Encantadia’ naman at ‘Kamandag’, mga kontrabida ang papel ko. Kahit ano, okay lang naman sa akin”, she stressed.
But with the impending return of sexy films brought about by Erik Matti’s “Rigodon”, the upcoming launching film of recent FHM Philippines cover girl Yam Concepcion, Francine says she has no problem returning to the genre that made her one of the country’s most desirable sex sirens back in the early 2000s.
“Oo, okay lang, never naman akong nagka-issue with appearing in sexy films. Kung may mag-offer ulit, why not?” she said.
Why not indeed? It can be recalled that back in 2003, the former child actress and “That’s Entertainment” alumna then known as Anna Marie Falcon (her real name is Anna Marie Sio Jensen, Falcon is actually her late mother’s maiden name) was relaunched by Robbie Tan’s Seiko Films as a sexy star and starred in such box-office hits as Jeffrey Jeturian’s “Bikini Open” and “Bridal Shower” and her signature Mac Alejandre-directed classics with close friend, Diana Zubiri, “Liberated” and its sequel, “Liberated 2”, both of which are still being shown on cable TV.
“Pag may nakakapanood ng ‘Liberated’ sa cable at natutuwa, nagtu-tweet sila sa kin. Sabi nga namin ni Diana kay Robbie, gawa kami ng ‘Liberated 3’ since close pa rin naman kaming lahat sa cast at nandiyan pa si Christian (Vasquez) although si Rodel (Velayo) based na sa Australia. Ayaw na ni Robbie na mag-produce eh pero natuwa naman ako nang natawa siya at sinabing pag-iisipan niya. So hindi naman niya outright na ni-reject ‘yung idea” she shared.
Yes, Francine has remained in touch with the former producer and controversial Cinemalaya figure even after Seiko Films has stopped producing films. In fact, it was Robbie who helped her bounced back when she hit rock-bottom after her mother was diagnosed with, and eventually succumbed to, cancer of the uterus.
“Si Robbie ang nag-recommend sa akin sa 103.5 WOW FM for ‘Xtra Xervice’ kasi nagkaroon ako ng love advice show nung 2010 sa DZMM, yung ‘Ka-Date’ with Bobby Yan that was on the air for a year and a half. Eh naging kami ni Bobby, pagkatapos nung nag-break na kami, naging mahirap na para sa amin ‘yung mag-work together until the management of the radio station decided to just end the show”, she revealed.
Even with rival love advice shows hosted by the likes of Papa Jack and Brother Love that also aired on the same time slot, “Xtra Xervice” is more than holding its own, thanks in large part to the often witty, sometimes naughty but ultimately sensible personal advice of the three hosts on relationship matters.
“Ang pagkakaiba namin sa ibang show, eh bukod sa tatlo kami dito, nasasabi namin ‘yung hindi kayang sabihin ng ibang DJs, yung medyo bastos pero nakakatuwa naman. Alam naman namin where to draw the line”, she pointed out.
“On my part, marami na kasing nangyari sa buhay ko na pwede kong i-share. Bata pa kasi ako, exposed na ako sa maraming bagay so lahat ng mga lessons sa buhay na natutunan ko gusto ko ding matutunan ng tao. ‘Kala kasi nila tatanga-tanga talaga ako sa totoong buhay. Ang pangarap ko kasi maalala ng tao bilang woman of substance, ‘yung maging inspirasyon sa mga tao at may purpose sa buhay”.
One purpose in life that Francine wants to finally address successfully is the weight problem that she has struggled with in recent years. Thanks to a new program that is more effective than the other ones she tried in the past, the two-time FHM cover girl actually looks fit these days and very close to the whistle-bait figure that also made her one of FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women for seven years between 2003 to 2010.
Francine, however, admits that getting back to her ideal weight is no walk in the park.
“Lahat na yata ng diet programs, na-try ko na. Dito sa current program ko, I started last June at 180 lbs. but so far unti-unti na syang nabawasan and I’m now down to 135 lbs. Konti pa siguro at mare-reach ko na ‘yung target weight ko,” she confessed.
This is the same reason why her dream is to land on the cover of “Women’s Health” as she also wants her effective weight program to inspire others who are having similar weight issues.
With what seems to be a new lease on life—almost all of her financial troubles behind her, her now multimedia career back on track and flourishing anew and a new tattoo on her left that says, “Saved By Earth Angels” to show for it, Francine Prieto is certainly a happier camper nowadays. Even ex-flame Bobby Yan, who was the surprise guest of her birthday celebration last September at “Xtra Xervice”, is now a good friend.
“Okay na kami ni Bob ngayon. Natutuwa nga ako at friends na kami ulit ngayon,” she admitted. “Yes, friends na lang kami talaga”.
No lovelife these days?
“Alam mo sa sobrang saya ko ngayon, pag may nagtatanong sa akin about my lovelife, dun ko lang naiisip na wala nga pala akong lovelife ngayon. It’s not that I’m in a hurry to have one but what I’m looking for now is companionship more than anything. Gusto ko lang ‘yung may lagi lang akong nakakausap. Dun pa lang happy na ako”.
source: interaksyon.com
