Alma Moreno speaks up on viral 2015 interview with Karen Davila: 'Umiyak ako... Okay na'
Actress turned politician Alma Moreno, who went viral a decade ago for her interview with Karen Davila, finally commented on the incident, revealing that she cried about it for three days in a hotel room.
At the time, Moreno was a senatoriable in the 2016 midterm elections and was asked about her reasons for running, her platforms, and her stance on issues.
On many occasions, she was chuckling and wasn't able to answer Davila's questions confidently. Social media users poked fun at her responses, especially the "Dasal lang talaga" one when asked why she ran for senator, and became a subject of memes.
In an interview with director Ronald Carballo, Moreno was asked about the experience and the embarrassment she felt afterward.
“Umiyak ako noon," she said, then Carballo asked whether she got angry.
"Hindi galit na galit. Umiyak ko. As in iniyak ko. Pero tapos na rin. Kami ni Karen, wala na ‘yun," she said.
Looking back, Moreno said she was able to answer, but felt pressured.
"Nasagot ko na, pero inikot-ikot ako so narattle ako. Lalo akong ninerbiyos," she said. "Pero naintindihan ko pa rin 'yung [mga tanong], nasagot ko e."
Moreno said she checked into a hotel for three days with her children after the interview.
"Iniyak ko lang. Tapos after noon," she said, shrugging her shoulders.
Moreno reiterated that she felt just a bit of anger and not a deep-seated one.
"Konti, pero para maging personal na galit," she said, shaking her head.
Asked if she had "forgiven" Davila, Moreno laughed and said, "Oo naman. Diyos ko naman."
"Wala na sa akin," she said, adding that she hasn't met Davila since the interview.
"Umiyak ako," she said. "Nasaktan ako, pero wala, nandoon na. Okay na."
Earlier in the interview, Moreno was also asked about her take on celebrities entering politics, especially those who are "washed up."
"Nablangko ako sa tanong mo... Sa akin lang, isipin din muna," she said, adding that there was no "stigma" on her part when she entered politics.
Moreno said fame doesn't automatically mean running for public office, but at the same time, she noted that those who pursue politics don't indicate being "washed up."
"Ako, nagsasalita ako para sa sarili ko. Ang pag-serve ay galing sa puso," she said.
Before entering politics, Moreno rose to fame as an actress in the '70s, often in provocative titles, which earned her the moniker "Sex Goddess of Philippine Movies."
Moreno became the first lady of Parañaque from 1995 to 2004 when her husband, Joey Marquez, served as mayor.
She ran as mayor after Marquez's term but lost.
In 2007, Moreno became a city councilor in Parañaque and was reelected in 2010.
Since 2023, she has been a tanod in Barangay Tambo.