Those who have been watching local TV shows and movies since the late ‘90s would arguably know that Mylene Dizon was one of the most popular young stars of her generation. And as her showbiz career continues to flourish over the years, she has gone on to become one of the biggest and most seasoned actresses in the country at present, astounding us with her portrayal of Mercedes Ramos-Sagrado in the ongoing primetime series Pamilya Sagrado.

She may be a household name, but not much is known about her, either she’s on-cam or behind the scenes. Thus, ABS-CBN news reporter Job Manahan recently caught up with her as he swung by their lock-in taping in Baguio City for the latest episode of the news and current affairs program “Tao Po.”

Their conversation began with Mylene taking the “Tao Po” team around one of their shooting locations and talking about her character, whom she described as “somewhat a trophy wife.” According to her, she’s a former beauty queen whose ambition of becoming part of the affluent family came true when she got married to one of its scions, Gov. Rafael Sagrado, played by Piolo Pascual. As we can see in their every scene together, their marriage is obviously not born out of love but rather a mere hunger for power, fame, and fortune.

“Look at the cast naman. Who can say no to that? If ABS is going to produce something with this strong statement, I’d like to be part of it,” she conveyed when quizzed what made her immediately say yes to this project that’s definitely one for the books.

They then looked back on her beginnings in showbiz by sharing little backstories about the images that “Tao Po” showed her. While her contemporaries started their careers when they were either kids or teenagers, Mylene began when she was already 20 years old. Her first-ever acting stint was the weekly youth-oriented series “Gimik,” which ran from 1996 to 1999. She played the role of the timid and intelligent working student Melanie Suntay and was paired with actor Bojo Molina.

She was part of the Batch 2 of Star Circle (now Star Magic) and was just launched as an artista when the project was bestowed on her. Portraying the role might look easy, but Mylene confessed that it was actually one of the most challenging she has ever done since, aside from having to be in the shoes of a graduating high school student, she also had to pretend that she’s graceful.

Within her one year in the entertainment scene, she’s already showcased her dramatic prowess when she won the “Best New Movie Actress of the Year” trophy from the 1998 PMPC Star Awards for Movies for her performance in “Calvento Files: The Movie.” She further proved her caliber and versatility as an actress in her next projects, including her daring portrayal in the 2001 film “Gatas…Sa Dibdib ng Kaaway,” where she had to expose her breasts as her character, Pilar, worked as a wet nurse or a woman who breastfeeds orphaned babies.

And just like some of the characters that she portrayed over the years, which is being an onscreen mom, Mylene is also a mother to two awesome boys in real life. When asked how she would describe herself as a mom to her two sons, Thomas (19) and Lucas (15), she admitted that she’s “a very, very strict mother.”

“May curfew sila, may oras lang ng gamit sana ng kanilang gadget. As much as possible, I want them to always do good and to try their best. Hangga’t minor sila or nakatira sila sa poder ko, rules ko ang masusunod. Pero hindi ibig sabihin no’n na hindi ko pinapakinggan ang mga anak ko kung gusto nilang kalabanin ang rules ko. Pinapakinggan ko rin ‘yon and I also encourage it,” she explained, adding that it’s only her teachings and discipline that she could only relay to them.

Since she has to singlehandedly raise her children, Mylene has learned to become a strict and fun mom for them. As she’s able to prove that she could support them and stand on her own, the Pamilya Sagrado actress has realized that, unlike others, getting married is not one of her priorities and she doesn’t even want to have a husband anymore since she doesn’t want to be dependent on anybody.

Being a full-time mom and a careerwoman can be really difficult and exhausting, so she’s able to manage it by being choosy when it comes to the projects that she accepts. She told “Tao Po,” “I choose na lang the projects that I like to be part of. Hindi ako tumanggap ng trabaho nitong nakaraang [taon]. More than a year, actually. Kasi, ‘yon na nga, malapit na silang mawala sa akin (referring to her children).”

Her firstborn, Thomas, just graduated from senior high school recently. Thus, she wanted to be present in the last leg of his high school life before he’s about to move out and live life on his own. When asked if either of her sons would follow in her footsteps in showbiz, Mylene expressed a sigh of relief, jesting that although she loves her job, she knows that neither of them is fit for it.

She further revealed that her initial plan was to do showbiz for just a year until she’s able to earn money. But the universe apparently has better plans for her, as she’s been here for 28 years already, without realizing that she’s been here for that long as she just keeps on working and working. According to her, she owes this industry for making it possible for her to raise two boys and give them the best education that she can afford, as well as for everything that she possesses and has learned through the years.

“Respect your job more than anything. Huwag mo nang tingnan kung ilan ang nag-“like” doon sa pinost mo. Mas ‘yong respeto na ibibigay mo sa trabaho kasi rerespetuhin mo ‘yong linya mo, rerespetuhin mo ‘yong character mo, rerespetuhin mo ‘yong co-actors mo, you also have to respect and should respect the people working behind the scenes. Kapag natuto ka ng respeto, ‘yong trabaho mismo ang magbabalik sa’yo ng magagandang bagay, magagandang roles, magagandang feedback, better talent fee in the future, and longevity,” Mylene advises young stars who aspire to also stay in the industry for a long time, just like she does.

Catch her on Pamilya Sagrado, weeknights on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z, and TV5.