Jo Berry says she makes sure her roles are not degrading for people with dwarfism

Jo Berry is set to lead a series once again with her new project, “Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law.”

In her guest appearance on Wednesday’s “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda,” the Kapuso actress shared why she’s always careful in accepting her roles and why she takes good care of them.

“Kada role, iniingatan ko and sini-see to it ko na magagampanan ko nang maayos and na mapapangalagaan ko,” Jo said. “Especially po may–’yung mga tao na may dwarfism is parang kine-claim ko na po na ako ‘yung representation ngayon.”

[With every role, I see to it that I get to play it well, especially characters with drawfism. I claim that I represent them.]

“Isa po ‘yun sa iniingatan ko lagi na ‘yung mga roles, when it comes sa pagtanggap ko ng iba’t-ibang klase ng character, is hindi magiging masama or magiging degrading for me and for [people with dwarfism] siyempre,” she said.

[One of the things I make sure when accepting roles is that it won’t be degrading for me and for people like me.]

When asked how important is reputation for her, Jo said, “Sobra po.”

Jo acknowledged that being an actress, she is in the public eye.

“Kailangan ‘yung reputation namin is always pinapangalagaan in a way na makikita nila na–siyempre, hindi naman tayo perfect, pero hangga’t maaari eh sana ‘yung makikita is magandang impluwensya for us,” she said.

[We have to take care of our reputation. We are not perfect but we also need to make sure the public sees us as a good influence.]

She continued, “Since nasa media nga po and malaki ‘yung impluwensya, hangga’t kaya po pangangalagaan at ipapakita na mabuti ‘yung mga ginagawa.”

[Because I am in the media, and media has a big influence, I try to show what is good.]

Jo previously starred in “Onanay,” “The Gift,” and “Little Princess.”

In “Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law,” she will be joined by Jason Abalos, Nora Aunor, and more.

The series will follow the title character who fights for justice despite people’s doubts against her.

“Lilet Matias: Attorney-at-Law” will begin airing on March 4 at GMA Afternoon Prime.

— Carby Basina/LA, GMA Integrated News