Veteran actress Snooky Serna reflected on her breakout role in "Blusang Itim," recalling her surprise at its success, especially since it premiered during the historic Edsa People Power Revolution in 1986.

Snooky Serna (GMA Network)

"Hindi ko talaga makalimutan ang 'Blusang Itim' kasi naging launching pad ko yun for people to know me better. (I will never forget 'Blusang Itim' because it introduced me to a wider audience)," said Snooky when asked about "Blusang Itim" during a recent media conference in Quezon City.

Snooky added, "I don't know, guys, if you still remember pero pinalabas ang 'Blusang Itim' at the height of people power. (Blusang Itim was screened right at the peak of the People Power Revolution)."

"Honestly, hindi ko na siya inisip na kikita pa because we had chaos on the streets. Paano pa nanonood sila ng movie? But I was surprised may nanonood pa rin ng sine kahit na may people power tayo. (I didn't expect the film to earn anything because the streets were in chaos. How could people go to the movies? But to my surprise, people still managed to watch films even during the People Power)," she said.

As the fantasy film marked its 40th anniversary in February, Snooky reminisced about the most challenging scene she had to film.

"Ang hindi ko talaga makalimutan noon ay yung nanganganak ako kunwari. May kinuha kaming baby. Hindi sya props kasi totoong baby sya. Naawa ako sa bata kasi muntik ng mamatay. Ilang oras na siyang nababad sa araw. (What I will never forget is pretending to give birth. We used a real baby, not a prop. I felt sorry for the child because he nearly fainted after being under the sun for so long.)"

"But here's the catch: after many years, may ginagawa akong show 'Marina' with Claudine Barretto. Then lumapit siya sa amin sa Calatagan Batangas. Sabi niya, Tita Snooky ako po yung baby na ipinanganak ninyo sa Blusang Itim. Alam mo naiyak talaga ako. Lalaki siya ang gwapo. I forgot his name. (I was doing a show called 'Marina' with Claudine Barretto. Then he came to us in Calatagan, Batangas. He said, "Aunt Snooky, I was the baby you gave birth to in 'Blusang Itim.' You know, I really cried. He's a handsome man. I forgot his name)," the actress also said.

Snooky said that "Blusang Itim" was first offered to Alma Moreno, but she wasn't available. "So napunta sa akin. But first choice talaga si Alma. (That's how the project landed with me, though Alma was the original choice.)"

On her gift to herself for the success of the film, Snooky said, "I went to Hong Kong with Mother Lily. Nakakatawa nga na si Robbie Tan ang producer ko pero si Mother Lily ang nagbigay ng bonus ko. Sabi noon ni Mother, 'Naku, baby hindi kikita yan. Kasi itim eh. Eh kumita. Then she was inspired to do my follow-up movies. (It’s amusing — Robbie Tan was my producer, but it was Mother Lily who gave me a bonus. She used to say, 'Baby, your movie won’t do well because it’s about the color black.' But it turned out to be a hit, and she was motivated to produce my next films.)"

Snooky Serna poses during a media conference in Quezon City (Robert Requintina)

Since then, Snooky appeared in other fantasy films such as "Rosa Mystica" and Madonna: Ang Babaeng Ahas." She said, "Naging fascination ko na noon gumawa ng fantasy films. Kumbaga, why change the shoe if it fits? So I made Rosa Mystica and Madonna: Ang Babaeng Ahas. (I became fascinated with fantasy films. As they say, why change something that already works? So I did Rosa Mystica and Madonna: The Snake Woman.)"

At 59, Snooky has spent over five decades in the entertainment industry. She made her first on-screen appearance at just three years old in the film "Wanted: Perfect Mother" in 1970.

Throughout her long career, Snooky has expressed that she has no regrets about entering show business. She continues to appear on screen, most recently in the Kapuso series "The House of Lies."

"No regrets in joining showbiz. But my greatest disappointment was that I couldn't play much as a child. Hindi ko na experience makipaglaro sa mga kababata ko sa kalye. Hindi ko na na-experience yan. Yung mga larong outdoor tulad ng Chinese garter and tumbang-preso, hindi ko na-experience. (I missed out on playing with my childhood friends in the streets and never got to try outdoor games like Chinese garter and tumbang preso)," he said.

But Snooky said that she got excited when she introduced street games to her two children, Sam and Sachi. They are her children with former husband Ricardo Cepeda. "Mas excited pa ako sa kanila. (I was actually more excited than they were),"

Having spent more than 50 years in showbiz, Snooky has seen the industry evolve through countless changes and trials. Her experiences have inspired her to remind young stars that respect is essential—both for their predecessors and for everyone they meet along their path.

"My hope is that the youth of today will embrace the true value of respect. Honor those who came before you—there is wisdom in listening to your elders, and strength in showing kindness. In my journey, I’ve met many young people who treat me as a peer, and while friendship is beautiful, remembering to honor those who helped pave the way is even more important."

"But in a scheme of things, sa dami ng mga gulo sa mundo, parang ang liit na bagay na lang yan. I don't want to sweat the small stuff. It's a small thing. (But in the bigger picture, with so many problems in the world, it feels like such a minor thing. I choose not to let the small stuff bother me.)

"Ako rin pag iniisip ko, noong kabataan ko naman siguro, baka may mga nagawa rin naman ako na hindi tama. So I just let it pass. I never confronted them. Ako rin naman ang mapapagod. Masisira lang ang araw ko. (I also reflect that when I was younger, I may have made mistakes too. So I let things go. I never confronted anyone because it would only exhaust me and ruin my day)," Snooky added.