Marriage is something Jasmine Curtis-Smith and her boyfriend, Jeff Ortega, discuss every so often. They’re no strangers to the subject. But it’s something one can’t ever be really prepared for.
“We talk about marriage; it’s not foreign or awkward for us. We have become very involved with each other’s families … We’re like a married couple in a way, I guess. I will never know when I will be really ready but time will tell,” Jasmine told reporters at a recent press conference for her new primetime series, “Asawa ng Asawa Ko.”
The couple has been dating for eight years now. And the way Jasmine sees things, Jeff is the “ready-when-you-are” type. She, on the other hand, feels like she still has to check a few more boxes on her to-do list before she makes the big decision.
“I think guys become ready earlier. I know for a fact that he’s the kind of guy who’s ready to go anytime. But he’s very patient with me. He knows I still hope to do a lot of things or projects as a single person. That way, when the time comes, I can fully commit myself—hindi na hati ang ‘yeses’ and ‘nos’ ko sa buhay,” she said.
Not to say that Jeff would want her to stop acting should they finally tie the knot. “We will continue on with our careers. Marriage will not be a hindrance or stop us from working. We will keep going,” she said of Jeff, who serves as the Ilocos director of the Department of Tourism.
Jasmine enjoys being an aunt to her niece, Dahlia, so much so that it makes her think about what it might be like having her own kid. But then reality kicks in. “When it’s time for her bath or whatever, I would be like, ‘Uwi na kami, Ate (Anne Curtis)!’” she said, laughing.
Turning serious, she added, “[Being with my niece] is a learning experience. It makes you discover your capacity for patience if you were to be a parent.”
‘So much learning’
“Asawa ng Asawa Ko,” which airs Monday to Thursday on GMA 7, has Jasmine working with Rayver Cruz for the first time. “He’s fun to work with. He has a light and bubbly personality.
He’s fun to chat with and can easily make friends with everyone on the set. He makes it easier for the rest of us to interact with each other if the others are feeling shy … He’s a gentleman to all the women on the set,” she said.
“And I must say, he’s really good in this series. I have never seen him do a drama as intense as this one,” she added.
It’s also the 29-year-old actress’ first time to be directed by award-winning actor-filmmaker Laurice Guillen. Working with her, Jasmine said, made her feel like a student all over again.
“There’s so much learning. I feel like I’m a student with a teacher who just wants me to understand the lesson and give the correct answer. That’s how I approach things when I get directions from Direk Laurice.
She has worked with a lot of great people both as an actor and director. And so, the knowledge you get from her, you won’t find anywhere else. She’s of a different caliber,” she said.
Challenging role
Jasmine’s role as a woman who loses her husband after being abducted and tortured by a rebel group is a challenging one. But Laurice was patient enough to walk her through the process.
“Working with Direk Laurice, you get an actor’s and a director’s insight. She helps you see things that you don’t see and make you go, ‘Bakit nga ba ‘di ko ‘yun naisip?’” Jasmine related.
“Not everyone is patient enough to guide you that way. I feel really blessed. I have a challenging role and I need to take care of it.”
Laurice is known to be strict, but for good reason, Jasmine said. “And I get it. If everyone’s friends are enjoying themselves on the set, it’s easy to get carried away. Sometimes, people enjoy themselves a little too much that they lose focus.
