How does one navigate the ever-changing tides of showbiz? Few can answer this better than seasoned stars Angel Aquino, Christian Vasquez, Mylene Dizon, and Benjie Paras, who, through the decades, have mastered the art of staying relevant and effective, of creating on-screen magic that lingers after the credits roll.

In an episode of Kapamilya Chat, they reflect on the stark contrasts in movie and teleserye-making then and now, and share the secrets to longevity.

Angel, Christian, Mylene, and Benjie, who star in the DonBelle series "How To Spot A Red Flag," highlight how today’s generation of artists enjoy the perks of advanced technology, which they didn't have in their earlier years.

Back in the day, filming meant working with complex cameras that used negatives, hence there was no room for error. Lines had to be memorized perfectly, and every take had to count because film negatives were expensive, and wasting them wasn’t an option. On the bright side, this required actors to be at their absolute best, tested their endurance and abilities, and shaped them into the professionals they are today.

Mylene shares an example of the pressure they faced in the pre-digital days, "So, buong spool ‘yan, tapos meron silang tinatawag na remnants o mga negatibo na hindi pa nagagamit. Tatanungin, halimbawa, 'Ilang segundo 'yan?' Sasabihin, 'Twenty seconds.' 'Gaano kahaba 'yung eksena?' 'Eighteen seconds po.' Ikaw, bilang artista, kailangan maipasok mo 'yung buong eksena sa eighteen seconds kung hindi maririning mo 'yung camera na nag-run out."

Another experience that stood out for Benjie was the painstaking process of dubbing, which was done manually back then. Mylene adds they often used small screens to view scenes while recording.

And with the tedious process of the past, there were no fixed timelines or work hours. Taping could start in the morning and stretch all the way to the next day. Fortunately, the landscape has changed significantly with the implementation of the Eddie Garcia Law, which mandates more organized work hours and ensures enough rest periods between shifts for the artists and crew.

Asked if they had ever witnessed fights on set, they candidly admitted that such incidents were inevitable. Tempers would occasionally flare, leading to walkouts, particularly when shoots stretched into the early hours of the morning.

They went  on to share their own experiences of being yelled at by directors during takes. "Sigaw? Nabato ng script? Monoblock na nag-overhead sa'yo? Oo naman!" Mylene reveals with a laugh. "Dati, uso ang sigaw." But thankfully, sets today are much calmer, with people recognizing that high tension isn't healthy for anyone involved.

The group also recalled witnessing other actors being scolded in front of the entire crew and being called hurtful names. In moments like these, they would remain quiet during the incident but would later console and check in with their co-actor to see which part of the script they were struggling with. After all, co-actors must look out for each other.

For these seasoned thespians, the most important thing is respect. As Mylene explains, "’Pag may respeto ka sa lahat ng aspeto, sa lahat ng tao sa produksyon, people would want to work with you again, you’re going to be more effective as an actor, so on and so forth."

Benjie agrees, adding that respect goes hand in hand with commitment, which he defines as giving your best in everything you do.

And for them, that commitment, paired with mutual respect, is the secret to longevity.