There's no stopping award-winning actress Tessie Tomas, who will soon be seen in the movie "Senior Moments" under A&S Film Productions. Joining her are the equally talented stars Nova Villa and Noel Trinidad.

At the recent story conference for the film in Quezon City, Tessie couldn't contain her joy at the prospect of a movie about seniors. This exciting project also marks a reunion with Neal 'Buboy' Tan, the director who helmed her in the film "Ikalawang Ina."

"I'm so happy at nagkaroon ng ganitong pelikula. May nagtanong kung bakit ko ito tinanggap, I love the material and I love to work again with Director Buboy Tan. It gives importance to senior citizens. Apart from the senior citizen's card, maraming issue ang mga senior like kulang ng respect for us at consideration sa physical weaknesses namin," she said.

Tessie revealed she's been living a comfortable life in the Isle of Man, United Kingdom, for six years. She has a son, Robin Tomas, a fashion designer based in New York. But before she transferred to the UK, her last project was for the ABS-CBN television series "Blood Sisters." Then, in 2023, she returned for the series, "Dirty Linen." Now, Tessie is seen regularly in another Kapamilya primetime show, "FPJ's Batang Quiapo."

"We've been living there since 2018. Gusto niya doon naman kami manirahan. I'm happy with my senior citizen's card. Ang laki-laki ng discount. 

"Age is just a number. As long as you don't have any fatal illness. Syempre, I also think of my mortality. What's happening is mas madalas talaga ako magpatingin sa doctor para lang malaman ko na okay ako. Preventive maintenance ako. Konting sakit lang punta na agad ako sa doctor na magaling," said Tessie.

In a testament to her love, Tessie, married to a noted marine biologist, Roger Pullin, admitted she sacrificed for love when she decided to migrate abroad. They now live in a house fronting the beach.

"He's very well respected, but he's retired. His advocacies in the UK, like the Manx Wildlife Trust, a nature conservation charity, keep him busy.

"My husband is based in the UK but he was in Manila in November and December. Sa mag-asawa dapat bigayan. Alam naman niya na sikat pa ang asawa niya kaya pinagbigyan naman niya ako. Nag-alsa balutan naman ako papunta roon. Ang laking decision yun. We sold everything here and bear with him. Napakalaking sacrifice rin," she said. 

In the UK, Tessie revealed she tested positive for COVID twice, but both cases were mild. "Nagka-Covid ako twice pero hindi rito sa UK. First in 2022 and mid-year 2023. Sa Isle of Man kasi hindi sila nag ma-mask. Pero hindi naman serious."

Tessie, 73, reminds her fellow actors on the set of her hip replacements, making her more cautious while walking.

"During the shoot of 'Blood Sisters,' I told my fellow actors I had left and right hip replacements. So please, I walk with a limp. Hindi ko kinakaila yun. Sinabi ko agad yan sa start ng shoot. So, my acting is from the waist up. But I'm a good actress. Totoo naman na ginagalingan ko yung acting ko. 

"Despite that, binigyan pa rin ako ng baston, may mga eksena pa rin na hinuhulog ako sa hagdanan. But I don't care. For as long as it's part of the role, I don't care. Sa 'Dirty Linen' same thing. Now I can walk better but still I cannot be pretending. Maski si Judy Dench, walks with a limp or Helen Mirren. Iko-close-up mo ba ang paa ko? Iko-close-up mo ang mukha. Thank you," she said.

Even though she is in her 70s, Tessie expressed her desire to pursue her dream projects.

"Marami pa akong dreams kasi malikot pa ang isip ko. I'm an actress and a writer. So, while I'm in the Isle of Man (United Kingdom), I write a lot...kung ano ang lumabas sa utak ko. I also dream of producing. Maski indie film sa Isle of Man. It's such a beautiful place. 

"I'm a blogger. I'm also into blogging. Hangga't kaya ko ginagawa kong sumunod sa mga millennial. I don't want to be a dinosaur. I go with the times hanggang kaya ko. I'm so happy I can still write because it keeps my mind active," the veteran actress said.

Tessie started her career as a voice talent at the young age of 10. After working for various advertising firms, she became the creative head of McCann-Erickson following her training in London and New York.

In 1981, Tessie debuted on television in the popular comedy show Champoy, which continued until 1984. Her fame came from her portrayal of Amanda Pineda, a humorous character based on the late weather forecaster Amado Pineda. She also hosted her morning talk show Teysi ng Tahanan. 

Tessie portrayed the rich and bizarre character of Barbara Tengco in the weekly satire Abangan Ang Susunod Na Kabanata. And the rest is history.

Advice for the young stars

Tessie also shared advice to the young stars. She always reminds them to be conscious of their looks during shoots, and she believes it's important for movie stars to look their best.

"Importante ang discipline: come to the set on time, memorize your lines, and prepare your costumes. Lagi kong sinasabi sa young stars, know what your talent really is. Is it singing, acting, or dancing? Huwag mong ipilit kung hindi ka nakaka-arte. Doon ka na lang sa dancing. Mahirap na aralin pag matagal. Kailangan meron kang innate na talent pinu-pullout. I thought I could act, that's why I concentrated on acting. 

"Even now, my son would say, "Mom, you could direct your own movie." Sabi ko naman, 'Bakit pa ako makikipag compete sa director, ang dami ng director? Gusto ko na lang na maging magaling na magaling na actress and keep honing my craft because nakakuwadro na ako roon.

"So commitment talaga. Sabi nga ni Noel (Trinidad), love ko ang industry na ito, hindi ako magbabago ng career or something.

"One more, sana yung mga young stars, huwag kayong haharap sa camera ng walang makeup. Lalo na sa kababaihan, hindi talaga maganda. Minsan magiging kulay-nana (gangrene) kayo kung wala kayong ka-makeup, makeup.

"It's really a crime to face the camera (without makeup). Ako nga, lalabas lang ako ng condo, sasabihin ko sa sarili ko, 'Naku teka nga. Si Tessie Tomas pala ako. Sandali. Ay mali, si Donya Cielo pala ako. Teka nga at makapaglagay ako ng powder or blush on. O kaya bright lipstick or something. I am an actress. We are not ordinary people. We are actors and actresses. So therefore we have to look good. That's my personal opinion," Tessie added.