Playing Donny Pangilinan’s estranged mother Annie Mariano in the popular drama series Can’t Buy Me Love, actress Ina Raymundo said she is enjoying her second wave in showbiz, three decades after her iconic Sabado Nights commercial debut which made her a certified crush ng bayan during the '90s.

As the April 2024 cover girl of Cosmopolitan Philippines magazine, Ina said she is grateful to get the chance to go back to acting again in her late 40s.

“I feel grateful, blessed that this happened to me. Now that I have kids, I appreciate work more, I appreciate acting more. Because I feel that I have worked harder this time than before, na parang pinagdaanan ko uli yung pagiging from the bottom,” she told Cosmopolitan. 

READ: Ina Raymundo expresses gratitude to honest taxi driver who returned her son’s phone

Working closely with series star Donny Pangilinan was also easy for Ina because of his similarities to her son Jakob.

“Doing scenes with Donny was so amazing because he’s a good actor. Nananalaytay talaga sa dugo niya yung pagiging actor. It was easier for me to do scenes with him because he kind of reminded me of Jakob, my only son. They have exactly the same height, same built, same pagka-gwapo. Maiisip ko pa lang si Jakob na ganun yung treatment niya na ayaw niya sa'kin, that’s so heartbreaking,” she admitted.

Happily married with five kids, Ina said that she is still very much a hands on mom despite having her own busy work schedule in showbiz. Two of her older children Jakob and Erika have been receiving attention online from fans who hope they follow in their mom’s footsteps in the industry but are both are also currently based abroad.

“They have a lot of fans, but they have their own plans for themselves. As for me, I’m just going to support them,” she said.

READ: Ina Raymundo shares secret to her lasting marriage with Brian Poturnak

In her interview, Ina also gave some insight on her experience with past relationships before marrying her Canadian businessman-husband Brian Poturnak 24 years ago. The Can’t Buy Me Love actress revealed the benefit of marrying someone from a different culture.

“I think if you know that you are a strong-willed person, you have to date a foreigner because they're more liberated. Never ever date an insecure man. That's a red flag. A giant red flag. [I] had a jealous boyfriend. I was traumatized and I promised myself I would never ever date a jealous person. I'd be miserable. I'd be unhappy. I knew it wouldn't last. So, if you know your worth and you are an empowered woman, the last thing that you need is an insecure man,” she explained.

When it comes to her own marriage, Ina revealed why she is very happy. “We're so chill. To be honest, a relationship that works is a relationship where you're just chill. As a body of water, you're like a lake. Just calm. Not a raging river.”

Career-wise, Ina said she looks forward to doing more projects because she is definitely back and ready to work.

“I want the producers to know that I am more committed to work. I hope that they will invest in a middle-ager. I know [a] love team is their favorite thing and I'm happy for those love teams because they really work hard. But I think you should also invest in middle-aged actors. Make a movie for us to showcase our experience and talent,” she shared in her interview.