Gladys Reyes finds her heart in a musical

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You know her face. You've heard her voice — usually sharp, commanding, and ready to deliver a cutting line in one of those heart-wrenching afternoon dramas. But what if Gladys Reyes, arguably one of the Philippines' most iconic contravidas, began to sing? Not in jest, not for videoke, but in a full-length movie musical?

A self-confessed lover of theater, the warm and ever-friendly actress — a complete opposite of her usually intimidating characters in real life — shared that the role was something she'd dreamed about for a long time. And after recently watching musicals like Jonathan Manalo's "Delia D" at Newport World Resorts, Gladys found herself wishing she could be part of one again.

"Even a bit part would have made me happy," she said, her eyes gleaming. "But I never imagined I'd end up in a full-length movie musical!"

For Gladys, the project's timing felt serendipitous, even after decades in the industry.

Dramatic actress Gladys Reyes has always dreamed of being part of a stage production, but never imagined she would star in a full-length movie musical like ‘The Heart of Music.’ TMT PHOTOS

"On my 40th birthday," she recalled. "There were so many things I wanted to do. I wanted to learn how to drive, bike, play a musical instrument — but all of it didn't happen because I got pregnant," she added with a laugh. "But this time, with this movie, I told myself, there's no backing out."

The arrival of "The Heart of Music" certainly gave the former teen star the perfect push. After years of putting things off, she finally had the reason and the motivation to make good on some of her long-held goals.

"I'm 47 now, but I still want to learn something new," she said. "I believe it's never too late to do that, especially if you know it will help you grow as a person."

So to prepare for her role as Yaya Madonna — the spirited nanny who revives music and life in the grief-stricken household of a widowed ex-military father — Gladys enlisted the help of her Star Music recording artist son Christophe Sommereux's vocal coach at the UP Conservatory of Music, no less.

She knew she had serious company after all since cast alongside Gladys are theater royalty Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez, who play General Frank and his late wife Diana. The real-life couple, of course, are West End alumni, having starred in "Miss Saigon" and other prestigious productions. Naturally, the thought of performing alongside such accomplished artists gave her all the motivation she needed to step up her game.

Determined to deliver more than just a passable performance, then, Gladys approached the role with the same intensity she's known for — but this time, with plenty of heart, humility, and humor.

"I struggle with the tremolo," she admitted, referring to the wavering technique singers use to add emotion to long notes. "I sound like I'm singing in an electric bathroom," she said, laughing at herself without hesitation.

Still, despite her self-deprecating jabs, Gladys is taking the opportunity seriously. She's all in — studying, rehearsing, and pushing through every challenge the part demands.

A mix of theater heavyweights like Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez, veteran actors like Rey PJ Abellana, and young singers as well as new discoveries play supporting roles to Reyes’ nanny character, Madonna.

"The truth is, I just really love to sing. When I have nothing to do at home, you'll find me on YouTube doing videoke," she shared. "It's so easy now to find any song you want to sing, right? And honestly, singing just makes me happy, even if I know my voice isn't exactly singer-level."

For the movie, though, she wants to make sure she can hold her own. "That's why I've been taking voice and piano lessons too. I want to be able to play a few notes when the camera zooms in on my hands. Even my posture needs to look believable — and of course, I want my singing to improve."

That kind of dedication isn't just personal — it mirrors the heart of the project Gladys has poured herself into.

"The Heart of Music" is a rare local production that puts traditional and original Filipino music front and center. With over nine original songs and a few nostalgic Tagalog and Kapampangan nursery rhymes and lullabies, Utmost Creatives Motion Pictures' Gat Alaman wrote both the script and soundtrack to reflect each character's emotional journey.

The material is rich, grounded and thoughtfully designed — much like the way Gladys herself approached the role. Her performance, like the film, is rooted in connection and authenticity.

Her character Madonna is especially pivotal, both in story and spirit. "She is the heart of music," said Alaman. "She brings color, joy, and music back into the lives of the children and the father."

The family-friendly narrative — loosely inspired by "The Sound of Music"—is deeply grounded in Filipino values and family dynamics. In fact, it's already being positioned for educational screenings in schools.

And who better to lead that message than someone who's spent over three decades being feared on screen? Gladys Reyes may have made her name with perfectly timed slaps and icy stares, but in "The Heart of Music," she steps into something softer — and no less powerful. This time, she just might move audiences to tears — and maybe even get them to sing along.