With her schedule full of activities like tapings for a soap, film shoots, personal appearances, promo blitzes, recordings, family reunions, et cetera, versatile actress Cherie Gil said she doesn't even have “time for sex.”

Straightforward as she has always been, Gil said doing stage plays is tying her down again, this time with a new load, to another medium very different from other tried and tested media she has been exposed to like the cinema and the tube.

For Gil, performing again onstage, on some extended note, is entering another phase of her life since she broke off with husband Roni Rogoff, an internationally acclaimed violinist.

“Many things have changed since then. I am not secretive and I think people know about it, anyway,” she mused without mouthing details.

“Those experiences in the past always make me a better actress,” she claimed.

In movies and television, these fresh insights are used by her when she gives life to every character assigned to her.

Gil's first Philippine drama production, said PR man Toots Tolentino, is a Lino Brocka stage project with her mom Rosemarie Gil at the Fort Santiago, most likely with the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) some years back.

Unfortunately, “I forgot the title,” she apologized.

Later on, she was featured in “Doubt” staged in Cebu which gave Gil her worst onstage mishap--her lapel microphone lost sound for half of the first act. But as pros, Gil and the rest of the cast went on despite audio glitches.

Gil also had a wonderful time in theater when she did “Barefoot in the Park” with Bernardo C. Bernardo where she had, according to her, her first memorable kiss onstage.

As Maria Callas

It was the Philippine Opera Company (POC) which gave her the chance to shine again in theater when she took on the role of world renowned opera singer Maria Callas in the Philippine version of playwright's Terrence McNally's “Master Class” a couple of years ago.

Indeed she shone well then as noted by veteran and well-meaning critic Rosalinda Orosa.

For the second time, Gil is doing an interpretation of the life and art of the famous American-born Greek soprano. "Master Class" will be held on July 28 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium of the RCBC Plaza on Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

It wasn't an easy task convincing Gil to reprise the role, to begin with, but her closeness to director Michael Williams made it easier.

“I love him so much,” she declared publicly, referring to seasoned artist Williams, also a noted actor with the Repertory Philippines and other theater companies. Obviously, the actress believes enormously in his talent.

“Maybe after the production, it [will be] consummated,” Gil teased, a remark which Williams took very gentlemanly.

It is also POC's tenth anniversary so the production is a fitting tribute to the performing arts.

Gil said she has so many things in common with Callas.

“We gave up a lot of ourselves totally for love and along the way ruined our voices,” she quipped with laughter.

Callas had a colorful love affair with shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis, who later on became the husband of Jacqueline Onassis, widow of the slain American president John F. Kennedy. Gil, on the other hand, had an unforgettable union with Rogoff.

Both ladies showed the true essence of discipline and professionalism in their craft.

According to written accounts, Callas fiercely hated her rivals and had a bad press.

Can these be said of Gil too in real life? Gil is best known for her bitchy role in the mushy “Bituing Walang Ningning” where she threw venom and a glass of wine at Sharon Cuneta, who played pretender to her throne.

“No, I am not the bitchy type. I just want to instill discipline and professionalism. I am bitchy but pinipili ko lang. If I am right, I say my piece,” she said with a smile.