Acclaimed actress Gladys Reyes expressed her overwhelming joy, describing it as a dream come true to finally take center stage in a musical film entitled "The Heart of Music."

The experience fulfilled a lifelong aspiration, allowing her to showcase her talent in a stunning new way. This was the first time Gladys would be singing on screen since she entered the entertainment industry in 1984.

During a media conference for the film, Gladys revealed that she took voice lessons at the University of the Philippines to prepare for her role. 

"Noong first day ko, tinanong ako kung may background na raw ba ako sa music. Sabi ko, 'Wala po talaga.' Then pinakita ko na sa teacher ko yung piyesa na gagamitin. (On my first day, I was asked if I had any background in music. I said, 'I don't really.' Then I showed my teacher the piece that I would be using.)

"Dahil limited lang yung time namin, sabi ko ku ng pwedeng derecho na kami sa piyesa. Sa na kuha ko naman yung first few lines ng notes. Pero mahirap pala lalo na kung ngayon pa lang ako mag-uumpisa. (Since our time was limited, I said we could get straight to the piece. I took the first few lines of notes. But it was difficult, especially when I was just starting out.)

"So habang nag-piano siya, ako naman ang kumakanta. Tapos tinitignan niya yung weakness and strength mo. Minsan yun ang sakit ko. Medyo throaty ako kaya medyo napapagod agad ang boses ko. (So while the teacher plays the piano, I sing. Then my teacher looks at my weaknesses and strengths. I'm a bit throaty so my voice gets a bit tired.)"

"Nag-aral din ako mag-piano kasi ayokong ipa-double yung kamay ko. Gusto ko ako talaga ang nagpi-piano. Tuwang-tuwa ang family ko and they are very supportive. Sabi ng anak ko si Kristoff, 'What, in one day? How did you do that?' Mahirap pero kung gusto mo talagang matuto may paraan. (I also learned to play the piano because I didn't want my hands to have a double during the shoot. I really wanted to be the one playing the piano. My family was very happy and they were very supportive. My son Kristoff said, 'What, in one day? How did you do that?' It's hard but if you really want to learn there's a way)," she said.

Gladys mentioned that she prepared for the film after learning that Robert Sena and Gladys Reyes, both talented singers in real life, were part of the cast.

"Naniniwala naman ako sa kakayahan ni Gladys and I know gagawin naman niya ang lahat. She's an intelligent performer. It will take time talaga (na matuto sa singing). (I believe in Gladys's ability and I know she will do everything. She's an intelligent performer. It will really take time (to learn singing)," Robert said.

Isay added: "Masipag si Gladys. Alam naman niya yung ginagawa niya. Gagawin niya talaga ang lahat kahit ano pa. (Gladys is hardworking. She knows what she's doing. She will do anything, no matter what.)

During the same press conference, Robert and Isay discussed how they prepare their voices for special performances and gigs.

"Nag-cross na talaga kami ni Isay sa mainstream so naging active din kami sa puyatan. Umalis muna kami sa theater so naging active kami sa movies, television, and corporate events. (Isay and I have crossed over to the mainstream, so we have also become active in the nightlife. We left the theater first, so we have become active in movies, television, and corporate events," said Robert.

He added: "You always have to go back sa roots na dapat talaga may voice training. Iba kasi ang singing namin, especially kung ang crowd ay mga dignitaries or sa other countries. So most of the time yun ang hinahanap nila sa amin na parang musical or theater type of singing. (You always have to go back to the roots, where there really should be voice training. Our type of singing is different, especially if the crowd is dignitaries or from other countries. So, most of the time, that's what they're looking for in us, like a musical or theater type of singing).

"Binibigyan talaga namin yung sarili namin na mag-aral uli or mag voice lessons. Minsan maganda na rin may nagche-check sa voice mo kung may problem. Training pa rin talaga. (We really give ourselves the opportunity to study again or take voice lessons. It's good to have someone check your voice if there's a problem. It's still training)," Robert added.

Isay agreed that voice lessons are key to developing a good voice during performances."As you age nagbabago talaga ang voice mo. Nahihirapan ka pero usual yun. Nagbabago ang boses mo as a singer. Since napunta na kami sa mainstream, sa show business, I make it a point to vocalize. (As you age, your voice changes. You struggle, but that's normal. Your voice changes as a singer. Since we've gone mainstream, into show business, I make it a point to vocalize.)

"Like one time, may gig dapat kami ni Robert. Sabi ko kung pwede hindi muna ako mag-join kasi I need to vocalize. Kung hindi naman gagawin yun (mag vocalize), we will have a hard time (singing). (Like one time, Robert and I were supposed to have a gig. I begged off. I wouldn't join because I needed to vocalize. If we don't do that (vocalize), we will have a hard time (singing)," Isay said.

"The Heart of Music" is inspired by the Oscar-winning musical film "The Sound of Music." Written by Gat Alaman, the movie will be directed by Paolo Bertola under Utmost Creatives Motion Pictures.