MANILA, Philippines - Nothing could be more exciting for actress Gina Pareño than appearing onstage for the very first time in a span of her more than four-decade stay in the biz.

When Tanghalang Pilipino Artistic Director Fernando Josef, also known as Nanding Josef, called her through her daughter Racquel Tajonera, for a meeting regarding a theater acting offer, she directed the latter to immediately schedule the talk.

The moment Josef opened up the topic, Pareño was flattered and happy. She couldn't wait to read the script and forgot to ask Josef about the other details of the assignment.

The play, “American Hwangap,” written by Lloyd Sun, is a new challenge to the thespic mettle of Pareño.

“I'm really honored but nervous,” confessed Pareño at the press launch of the stage play held at Casa Español on Wednesday afternoon.

She said she doesn't stop exploring more avenues in her career, like theater. “Dapat talaga, alam lahat ng isang artista ang mga medium na puwede niyang gawin sa acting,” she enthused.

This was also an encouragement, she added, to all actors and actresses, young and old alike.

“Kaya nga sinasabihan ko silang lahat, lalo na 'yong mga young stars, na they should try all possible media of acting para rewarding. Nakaranas na ako sa pelikula, sa TV. Ngayon naman, sa stage,” she smiled.

Her pursuit of inspiring other people, mostly her colleagues, to do various activities in the arts should make her life more meaningful, the awarded actress mused.

“Lahat talaga dapat ay sinusubukan sa showbiz lalo na 'yong magagandang bagay na mag-tsa-channel ng inspirasyon sa ibang tao like acting,” she opined.

“American Hwangap” is about a family reunion wherein the man of the house celebrates his “hwangap,” a Korean term which means the 60th birthday ritual observing the completion of the Easter zodiac.

The drama has two versions which will run on separate playdates.

In the Filipino version of the play translated from the English version by feminist playwright Joi Barrios-La Blanc, Pareño will play Mary, the ex-wife of Min Suk Chun, who returns to her in West Texas after leaving his family almost fifteen years ago.

Meanwhile, singer-actress Celeste Legaspi will take on the same role in the English version.

Most of the members of the cast are aged 60 and above.

Young actors Liesl Batucan, Jeremy Domingo and Nicco Manalo will portray the couple's children.

Bembol Roco will tackle the role of Min in the English version while actor-director Mario O'Hara will role play the character in Filipino.

Turning sixty plus, according to Pareño, is a gift from God. “I am already satisfied with my life. I am contented but I would want to share my blessings with the people,” she revealed.

Next year, she and her kids will put up a foundation, whose name she hasn't thought of yet, to help the indigents.

Pareño's participation in the play will commence on September 10, 2010 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

She is also currently working on two projects for ABS-CBN: “I Do,” a film for Star Cinema with Erich Gonzales, and the remake of the soap “Mara Clara” with a new set of child stars to be launched.