00:00Maria, it's nice to see you again.
00:09I didn't know you're based here.
00:10So you said you're based here already.
00:12Yes.
00:13Well, after during the pandemic, I had to go back to Japan, but now recently I'm back
00:18here again in the Philippines.
00:20So we'll be seeing more of you because you're part of Pulang Araw.
00:24Yes, this is amazing.
00:28And now I'm wearing a kimono in the Philippines, and this is like a very nice thing.
00:34How do you feel about being part of this really big project of GMA?
00:38I think, I mean, I feel very special.
00:43And knowing the story of this project, it's really, I have this pressure that in me because
00:51of course I'm playing a Japanese character in this drama, but it's just like the whole
00:59scenario is like very authentic Japanese era and everything has to be nice, polite.
01:07And I have to remember how it was like in Japan when it was all polite.
01:12Your grandmother.
01:13Yeah, my grandmother.
01:14Yeah.
01:15So I was like remembering how she was like to me, so very tender, not much to speak,
01:22but then she would give like small gestures and all that stuff.
01:25So it's like pressure, but then I'm having fun in a way that I'm remembering my, in a
01:31way like a heritage, like my grandparents and my mom and the other Japanese side of
01:36my family.
01:37What was your initial reaction when they offered you the project?
01:41I was like, really, me?
01:43Because I mean.
01:44Why not?
01:45No, I mean, I am half Japanese, but visually, and then since it's like right now, I didn't
01:53know if I would fit the right Japanese image, like black hair and wear a kimono every day,
02:00be like very, you know, quiet and polite.
02:03And I was like, can I do such a role like that?
02:06I mean, it's such a beautiful role.
02:08I really thought it through.
02:10I thought maybe for like maybe a month or two, really thinking about it.
02:14If I say yes, it's going to be a big opportunity for me, but I have to really concentrate every
02:21second because people will be watching.
02:24I saw you, you weren't talking to anyone.
02:27You were just focused.
02:28I was like, OMG, but now today's my first day of shoot.
02:35I am very happy that I said yes to this project and I am very looking forward.
02:40Were you nervous when you were shooting?
02:42Yes, I was nervous.
02:43Why?
02:44Because it's all that emotional and for example, there's a culture different in the Philippines
02:50and in Japan.
02:51Philippines, they're more warm hearted.
02:54They give you a hug, they cry together, they laugh together.
02:58But in Japan, well, not really right now, but then it's been changing.
03:03Back in those days, and especially the era that we're playing right now, is the part
03:08when Japanese people don't show emotions and people don't say, I love you every day, especially
03:15the parents that I'm playing the role and you can't hug, you can't cry.
03:20And I was doing my line earlier and I was like, I just wanted to hug that little boy.
03:25I'm like, don't go.
03:26But then me and direct was like talking about like, oh, no, this emotions and the more like
03:32on the face, like crying.
03:33Really serious.
03:34Really serious.
03:35I was like...
03:36Very far from who you really are.
03:38Yes, I just want to hug him and be like, don't go.
03:42But I had to hold that emotions and act cool in a way.
03:48So that was challenging.
03:50And a lot of people here love you.
03:52And actually, you met a fan earlier, it's David, one of your co-stars.
03:56I saw the trend.
03:59You saw the family feud?
04:00Yes, yes.
04:01What was your reaction after you saw that?
04:04First, people were saying like, you're trending in Twitter, in the Philippines, I'm like,
04:10Twitter, Philippines?
04:11Why?
04:12Right?
04:13Like, what did I do now?
04:14What did I do now?
04:15Like, what?
04:16Again?
04:17And then, but then this time, for the first time, it was like in a good trend.
04:23And then I saw the clip of TikTok they were sending to me and I was like, oh, my God,
04:30that's so sweet.
04:31Thank you for mentioning my name.
04:32Now it's going viral.
04:33You're the first name that came to his mind.
04:37My pleasure, my pleasure.
04:40And you met him earlier.
04:41Yes, yes.
04:42Very sweet guy.
04:43A really sweet guy, really cute, really nice guy.
04:47And we're looking forward to a lot of your scenes here in Pulang Araw.
04:53Will you be doing a lot of other projects in the Philippines aside from this one?
04:58As of now, I have a few lounges here in the Philippines, so that's where I'm concentrating
05:04right now.
05:05And aside from the night lounge business, sometimes I do acting, modeling, and I go
05:12out of the country to, I have another lounges in different countries, so I'm just keeping
05:17myself busy.
05:18What about your personal life?
05:20Sorry, I'm asking your personal life.
05:23Very good.
05:24It's good.
05:25I think it's going good.
05:26Finally.
05:27I know probably in Japan, they don't normally ask personal life, but in the Philippines,
05:32showbiz Philippines.
05:33I know they do.
05:34Straight to the point.
05:35Yeah.
05:36So how's your love life?
05:37Love life?
05:38Well, it's doing good, I guess, yes.
05:39I'm sorry to interrupt.
05:40I made you blush.
05:41I know.
05:42I was like, oh no.
05:43But yeah, I'm happy.
05:44I'm happy.
05:45That's good.
05:46That's good.
05:47I was about to ask you because you, sorry if I, I don't mean to offend you, but the
05:57Oh, yes.
05:58Chef.
05:59Yes.
06:00Yes.
06:01Yes.
06:02How are you and Jose?
06:03Are you friends after?
06:04Yes, we're still friends.
06:05We contact each other sometimes.
06:06I mean, he's the one who took care of my dog when I have to go back to Japan during pandemic.
06:11So I'm always forever grateful for him and his family.
06:15So he will be, yeah, somebody special.
06:18Yeah.
06:19We're not in bad terms or anything.
06:21That's good.
06:22That's really good.
06:23Maria, thank you very much for your time.
06:24Thank you so much.
06:25Arigatou gozaimasu.
06:26Arigatou gozaimasu.
06:27Thank you so much.
