Prior to agitating us through her character in the highly anticipated ABS-CBN teleserye The Broken Marriage Vow, lead star Sue Ramirez enthusiastically responded to the questions of the press during a virtual media conference held on Wednesday, January 12.

Facilitated by Gretchen Fullido and Justin Irons of ABS-CBN Corporate Communications, it commenced with the introduction of her exciting character Lexy Lucero, a young woman who’s going to be the third party and the reason why the marriage vow of couple David (Zanjoe Marudo) and Jill (Jodi Sta. Maria) will be broken.

Since this is the sixth international adaptation of the hit British series “Doctor Foster” – next to France, Russia, India, South Korea, and Turkey – she imparted feeling excited, nervous, pressured, and frightened towards the reactions of the viewers at the same time.

“More than anything, I’m very, very excited. Itong project na ‘to, pinaghirapan po talaga naming gawin. I’m sure na makikita nila ‘yon kapag napanood na nila ‘yong [The] Broken Marriage Vow. I’m very proud of this project and I’m very, very excited po,” she said.

Since she’s never been nor imagined herself being in the same situation as her character, the 25-year-old actress revealed that it didn’t only require her to rigorously prepare for her most challenging portrayal to date yet, but to be open-minded as well.

“Hindi talaga pwedeng i-judge ko ‘yong character ko. I really had to embrace Lexy and all of her emotions and everything that she felt. Parang I really had to open my mind. Of course, personally, I’m not gonna do it, but I cannot deny the fact that it is happening in real life. Hindi ko siguro pwedeng sisihin at i-judge ‘yong mga tao base sa mga desisyon nila dahil ‘di ko alam ang kuwento nila, ‘di ko alam kung saan pa nila gusto pumunta o kung saan sila nanggaling. So, I really had to open my mind to do this character,” she explained.

With regards to her preparations, she disclosed that she had to really prepare for it and do a lot of adjustments in order to exceptionally give life to her character since their personalities are extremely different – from the way they walk, think, and speak, up to their family backgrounds and lives as a whole. Since Lexy is a yoga instructor, she had to watch yoga videos and learn how to properly do it. At the same time, being in character most of the time during their two-month lock-in taping in Baguio City helped her to correct her posture, too, as she needs to move with finesse on the set.

Besides, she also watched other movies with that concept and the Korean remake The World of the Married Couple that was broadcast on Kapamilya Channel in 2020. Being Lexy is difficult, so she really had to research and study about it and intensively read the script in order to get the full grasp of it.

Of course, it would be impossible for her to make it if not for their top-caliber directors Connie Macatuno and Andoy Ranay who helped mold her character and guided her all the way. In fact, they didn’t have any peg in her characterization of Lexy as they wanted her take on the “kabit” role to be different from those we’d already seen.

When asked what made her accept this project, Sue told the press that she’s very grateful for this opportunity to do something that she’d never done and been yearning to do from before.

“There was no doubt in my mind, actually, when they offered this to me. More than doubting, I was very grateful. I know my job as an actor and I know my limitations as a person. So, that’s a very good balance to be working on a set like this, na ganitong very sensitive ang mga pinag-uusapan,” she stated.

Then she added, “Sobrang grateful talaga ako na in-offer sa akin ‘to at naisip nila ako na bigyang katauhan si Lexy. ‘Yon nga e, sakto na may alam akong tao na may experience na ganito, so I can apply it kay Lexy. And natutuwa lang po ako talaga na binigyan niya ako ng chance. Iba-iba ‘yong role na gusto kong ginagawa and I think this is something na I’ve really wanted to do from before.”

Since her role is absolutely going to infuriate Kapamilya viewers, the young seasoned actress revealed that she’s actually not afraid to be bashed as long as it’s because of her portrayal for this will gauge how her performance would be. However, she jestingly begged the public not to get extremely annoyed and simply translate their gigil and overwhelming emotions into tweets instead, once The Broken Marriage Vow airs.

Even though she’s able to fully embrace and understand her character, that didn’t change her perception towards infidelity and paramours. However, she wanted the viewers to realize that Lexy is also just “a victim of flowery words, of broken promises,” as well as a person who did ‘stupid’ decisions and actions because of love.

“I couldn’t judge my character, pero ako ah, personally, as myself, ang mali ay mali at alam natin ‘yon. And I really can’t say so much because I really don’t have the experience for it ah. Pero, I think, bilang sarili ko, alam ko ‘yong tama sa mali. And when it’s time to turn your back on something that is wrong, then you have to do it because that’s the right thing. There’s no right way to do something wrong,” she stated.

With regards to the controversial dinner scene wherein she spanked Jodi on the head, Sue recounted that she was actually hesitant to do it and suggested if they could simply jerk or fake it. But Jodi insisted for her to really do it because their directors surely wanted them to do so and it’s one of the most significant scenes in the series. The award-winning seasoned actress also even instructed her how to do safely execute it since hitting the head was certainly risky. In the end, they were able to impressively accomplish it in one take.

And speaking of Jodi, she has nothing but gratitude and praises for her as an actress and a colleague, who did not only help her get the job done, but also provided the comfort they need whenever they feel sad, tired, or not okay while in their bubble. Besides, she’s also thankful for the inspiration that she and their other co-actors had given her that further motivated her to do well.

She also confessed having a huge crush on Zanjoe Marudo, which made it easier for her to do her scenes with him, especially those that required her to seduce him or have a love scene with her. At the same time, she praised Zaijian as well for his compelling portrayal of Gio and being ahead of his age when it comes to the way he thinks and acts.

The mediacon wrapped up with Sue inviting everyone to watch The Broken Marriage Vow, which, despite being a remake, she promised has “pusong Pinoy” that will make it relatable to a lot of viewers. She also expressed how proud she is of this wonderful project that they all worked hard for, as well as her gratitude for everyone who consistently supported her throughout her acting career in the past 12 years.

The Broken Marriage Vow will premiere on January 24 and will be aired on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, A2Z Channel 11, and TV5. iWantTFC subscribers also have the chance to see first its pilot episode on January 22.