For veteran actress Gina Pareño, acting isn't just a profession—it’s the very heartbeat of her existence. At 77, the beloved luminary may no longer be as active on screen, but her love for the craft hasn’t waned a bit.

In a short interview on "On Cue," Gina cheerfully greeted, "I'm still alive and kicking!" in her signature happy tone. The TV and cinema icon may be older, but she certainly feels younger than her years.

Life is good, but she really misses acting now that she's no longer as busy making teleseryes and movies. "Naghahanap ako ng ilaw, ng camera... Nalulungkot ako 'pag hindi ako umaarte." She turned to TikTok to keep herself occupied. And while she enjoys creating content there—“Masaya... Para pa rin akong umaarte”—she admits that nothing compares to the rush and excitement of being on an actual set.

Looking back on her illustrious career, Gina recalls the many memorable projects she’s been a part of, including the award-winning “Kubrador,” which garnered a string of local and global recognition. For her role in the film, she won Best Actress awards from prestigious international bodies such as the Brussels International Independent Film Festival, the Osian-Cine Film Festival in New Delhi, India, and the Amiens International Film Festival in France—all in 2006. Yet, true to her humble nature, she would laugh off the accolades, saying, "Tsamba lang."

Also among her standout projects is “Serbis,” where she starred alongside Coco Martin. And, to this day, she remains widely recognized by the public as Lola Gets, her unforgettable character in the Kapamilya series “Tayong Dalawa,” topbilled by Gerald Anderson, Kim Chiu, and Jake Cuenca.

The beauty of acting is that it allows an artist to leave a legacy. A project or performance can become so remarkable that it continues to be remembered for years, even by new generations. Gina is a great example of this, as some of her past roles have captured the attention of younger audiences today, thanks to social media.

You've probably encountered memes featuring her 'hysterical' breakdown from “Maalaala Mo Kaya” “Rehas” episode, a scene now humorously used by netizens to express their own frustrations and exhaustion with life.

She could hardly believe that her scene had become such a hit online. “Nakakatuwa naman!” Gina said, learning about her viral memes for the first time.

But despite the trending moments and her enduring fame, Gina finds true fulfillment only when she’s in front of the camera. "’Pag wala akong labas [sa TV o pelikula], para bang wala nang nagmamahal," she said, turning emotional.

When asked if she can still handle the pressure of filming, Gina laughed in between tears, "Oo naman! Kaya! Gustong-gusto ko."

She has never been picky when it comes to co-actors or the material she's given, whether it's a heavy drama or a comedic piece. For Gina, it’s the craft itself that keeps her going. Being on screen is not just a job but her life’s true passion.