Tessie Tomas Draws on Personal Heartbreak to Deliver Raw Emotion in ‘Dirty Linen’ Scene
Filipino actress Tessie Tomas has revealed that she drew from her own past heartbreak to deliver an emotionally charged scene in the TV series Dirty Linen. The veteran actress, who portrays the character Doña Cielo, had to confront her rapist from her younger years, played by actor Soliman Cruz. The scene required Tomas to convey a multitude of emotions, including pain and anger towards the character who had betrayed her.
During the finale mediacon for Dirty Linen, Tomas shared her unease when director Onat Diaz instructed her to prepare for the intense scene. She recalled Diaz telling her, Tita, I just want you to feel… You were raped here. The director wanted to capture the rawness and complexity of the character’s emotions, demanding that Tomas express a range of feelings simultaneously.
This request presented a challenge for Tomas, as she had to tap into an experience that was foreign to her. She only had 10 minutes to prepare for the scene, which added further pressure. She remarked that distractions on set, such as crew members moving and chatting, made it even more difficult to focus.
To find the necessary emotions, Tomas drew from a painful personal experience with a former boyfriend. She recounted that he had once told her he was leaving her for someone else but assured her that he would eventually return. Feeling betrayed and angered by his words, Tomas vividly remembered attempting to push him down a flight of stairs in frustration. Although he managed to evade her, the memory of that incident fueled her portrayal of the scene in Dirty Linen.
Tomas chose to disclose her technique in the hope that other actors could learn from it. This candid revelation emphasizes the depth of her commitment to her craft and the lengths she goes to in order to deliver a powerful performance. By drawing on her personal heartbreak, she was able to bring raw authenticity to her character in Dirty Linen.
Dirty Linen also features a stellar cast, including Janine Gutierrez, Zanjoe Marudo, Dolly de Leon, John Arcilla, Epy Quizon, Angel Aquino, Francine Diaz, and Seth Fedelin. The series explores intense themes and showcases the talent and dedication of its actors.
Tessie Tomas’ ability to channel her past heartbreak and deliver a truly emotional performance in the scene is a testament to her skill as an actress. It serves as a reminder of the powerful impact that personal experiences can have on an artist’s portrayal of complex emotions.
