Gracing the show in her fresh-faced look, Yam Concepcion kept it natural and honest as she answered Toni Gonzaga’s questions about love, family, and showbiz.
Yam did not forget to thank everyone first for the good viewership of Init sa Magdamagsince its premiere last week. The netizens are all-praise for her enthralling performance in the series. For Yam, who waited ten years to get a lead role, the positive feedback makes the waiting and effort all worth it. The series has been a challenge but she wouldn’t complain because it marks a dream come true for her.
“Pinahalagahan ko talaga kasi I waited ten years to get a lead role. Ito ‘yung pinakauna ko. So, nandun ‘yung satisfaction professionally, parang, wow! Ang sarap sa pakiramdam kasi lahat ng hardwork mo lahat ng pinagdaanan mong struggles bago mo nakuha itong project na ‘to, talagang worth it lahat,” she enthused.
More than the career feat, Yam is proud to give life to an exceptional character and material. She got so used to playing kontrabida that she unconsciously carried traces of her past characters’ nuances. Of course, Jade (from Halik) and Dana (from Love Thy Woman)’s villainy is a stark contrast to her current character, Rita’s softheartedness. Sometimes she’d get corrected by her directors. Instead of getting offended, she welcomes constructive criticisms, paving the way for creative collaboration. She’s glad that her directors are there to help and guide her.
Yam doesn’t take all the credits, lauding her co-stars especially her leading men Gerald Anderson and JM De Guzman. She said there’s something so moving in JM’s eyes that it’s easy to get so real and emotional just by looking him in the eye.
“Si JM, one hundred percent binibigay niya, puso at kaluluwa. May isang eksena kami, tiningnan niya lang ako sa mata plus ‘yung delivery niya ng dialogue, at saka ‘yung truth na binibigay niya sa character niya, grabe! ‘Yung soul ko na-touch, umiyak ako kahit hindi ko kailangan umiyak and kahit after the scene, umiiyak pa rin ako. Ganu’n kalakas ‘yung impact ng acting ni JM,” shared Yam.
While JM is the deep, intense actor, Gerald, on the other hand, is the romantic one. “Magaling siya magpakilig.” These men’s passion motivates Yam to give her all in every scene.
With a brighter career and a rosy romantic life, Yam gets the best of both worlds. From her life as an actress, she went on to talk about her long distance relationship with Miguel Cuunjieng. The quarantine is no longer an issue to this couple, having stood the biggest challenges brought about by distance. Although, they were lucky enough to have spent the holidays in December 2020 as Miguel went to the Philippines. It wasn’t an easy travel, considering the series of tests and isolation period he had to go through. They were together for just two weeks. Yam is set to travel to New York this coming May and she plans to stay in there with Miguel for around three months.
They have been a couple for six years but they have known each other for already a decade. Looking back, Yam thinks it probably was a case of love at first sight. They just met at the wrong time because Miguel was then finishing his Master’s Degree in the States while she’s building her showbiz career. Although, they were both single at that time. “What are the chances na magkakilala kami and you meet somebody na masasabi mo na ‘Oh, my God! Parang siya na!’”
She went on to talk about their first date. As she went home that night, her sibling asked the reason behind her ‘kilig’ as if she was certain she’s found the right guy. And her response was, “Oo! He’s the one.” The beauty of Yam and Miguel’s love story is that they have seen each other grow while waiting for the right time to start a relationship.
The Kapamilya star would rather call her man “protective” than “jealous.” It is also worth noting that both Yam and Miguel are secured individuals, and this lessens doubt in the relationship. “Hindi siya selfish. Ina-allow niya ako to grow and he respects what I do.”