Dominic Ochoa feels young on ‘Mommy Guard’ set

MANILA, Philippines — Dominic Ochoa was among the hopefuls who ventured into the entertainment biz in the ‘90s. He eventually has made a name for himself as a reliable actor and enjoyed screen visibility.

Like today’s aspiring stars, he became part of a talent center, testing the waters by doing a youth-oriented show, working with fellow stars and being tapped as the third party in a popular love team like that of Marvin Agustin and Jolina Magdangal.

The latter have been reunited in the now-airing TV5 series, “Mommy Guard.” Marvin and Jolina portrayed young lovers in movies such as “Hey, Babe” and “Kung Ayaw Mo, Huwag Mo.” The ‘90s boy-next-door, Dominic, played love interests or suitors of Jolina’s characters in these projects and a brother in the TV series, “Labs Ko si Babe.”

He also acts alongside them in “Mommy Guard,” airing after “Eat, Bulaga.”

“I’ve been in the business for 30 years,” said he about projects that evoke nostalgia in a recent virtual interview with this paper. “After promoting the show, bumabalik sa akin yung pagkabata (memories of younger years came back). I’ve been promoting and talking about the ‘90s, its vibe, (the love team of) Marvin and Jolina. It seemed like it brought (me) back to 30 years ago when I was just starting out because they were the first ones I was with.”

“So, it (being with them) brings back a lot of memories,” added he. “And at the end of the day, you feel young, and you go back to that 20-year-old-plus self (of yours). But we’re doing it in a mature way now.”

Dominic was referring to their characters in “Mommy Guard.” This time, the days of puppy love are long gone and life realities are in focus.

There’s still the fun atmosphere while taping the show, but their goal is not just to entertain viewers but also to engage them about topics close to the latter’s plight.

Dominic shared that the show is “like a mix of everything,” genre-wise, encompassing comedy and drama.

The approach is to entertain and make people smile, given the present local landscape.

“To make them forget the things that are happening around them,” said he, adding that it is also teeming with good values.

According to Dominic, Jolina’s character named Christina has decided to become a mommy guard in the school where her child studies. His character, Luis, on the other hand, is a person deprived of liberty and wants to have another work to augment the salary and settle debts. He is a former lover of Jolina’s character. Marvin plays the school principal Pio, who has a former wife.

Their characters represent certain struggles and triumphs in life. Luis will enter the picture later.

“Huwag natin kakalimutan na magdasal din (we should never forget to pray),” said Dominic about lessons viewers will learn from the show. “Sometimes, we tend to forget that there’s Someone up there who listens.”

Prior to “Mommy Guard,” Dominic was part of the drama-mystery series, “The Secrets of Hotel 88,” and the drama-action program, “Taskforce Firewall.”

By listening to him, one could say that staying in showbiz is not just about looks and talent, it’s also about pakikisama or getting along with others.

Dominic recalled that a former location manager-turned production boss helped him to work in an afternoon drama series. So, it matters that one establishes a good name, craft-wise.

“You will reap what you sow,” said he, “Yan yung parati kong pinababahagi at shi-ni-share sa mga bata (it’s something I always share with the young stars). Na yung mga nakakasalamuha nyong PA ngayon, mag-iingat kayo at baka yung i-na-attitude-attitude nyo (you have to be careful and nice to people whom you are dealing with, like the production assistants) in a few years’ time, they will be your bosses.”

Artists should know how to get along with people, and that should come from the heart, shared he. They have to be easy to work with.

Those are some tips and reminders on longevity that aspiring and even working actors should take to heart.

(Please watch “Mommy Guard” weekdays at 2:30 p.m. on TV5 and stream it on Netflix as well.)

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