MANILA, Philippines -- FOR HER new Regal movie, ?Mamarazzi,? the country?s hottest comedian Eugene Domingo gladly learned to ice-skate.

?Wow! It was not easy. But it?s always exciting to learn something new,? said Eugene, more popularly known as Uge. What she would do to be a bona fide Regal baby!

?I?ve been a fan of Pinoy movies ever since I can remember,? she said. Regal?s 1980s movies were part of her growing-up years.

?I loved the movies of Dina Bonnevie, Snooky and Maricel Soriano. I have a long way to go before I can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with these Regal babies, but to be part of Regal?s anniversary is a dream-come-true,? said Uge.

She has lost count of the number of Regal movies she has done?at least two ?Shake, Rattle & Roll? trilogies (8 and 9), ?Bahay Kubo,? ?My Monster Mom??but ?Mamarazzi? is her first lead role.

The big break almost didn?t happen because she had a slight misunderstanding with producer Lily Monteverde over her nonparticipation in ?Desperadas 2? in 2008.

?Mother Lily was kind enough to ? not give up on me,? she said. ?I believe ?Mamarazzi? is the right project at the right time, so it?s better to not dwell on the past.?

She?s on a roll. The sleeper hit ?Kimmy Dora? was followed by a double whammy, ?Working Girls 2? and ?Here Comes the Bride.?

How does she keep her comedy fresh? ?I always experiment. I collaborate with various writers and directors. In this movie, I?m very fortunate to work with Ricky Lee, Chris Violago, Manny Valera and Direk Joel Lamangan,? she said.

One of a few

Her role (a meddling mom to triplets) is a departure from her usual portrayals, she said, and she made it a point to sport an unusual look as well. ?I?m wearing a l-o-n-g wig,? she said.

Uge is among the rare few who can work with all three networks. She has two shows on GMA 7 (?Wachamakulit? and ?Comedy Bar?), a sitcom on TV5 (?Inday Wanda?) and two Metro Manila Film Fest movies with ABS-CBN?s film arm Star Cinema (the animated fantasy ?RPG? and the franchise ?Tanging Ina 3: Last Na ?To?).

?I?m naturally independent,? she pointed out. ?I?ve been living on my own since college. I value my freedom. At work, I find fulfillment when I can work with all kinds of people. That works for me, but I can?t speak for all other artists.?

These days, her priority is to act with the best, regardless of network affiliation. She has worked with some of the industry?s brightest stars, but Uge dreams of sparring with the ?greatest? like Nora Aunor, Vilma Santos and, not surprisingly, Dolphy.

She accepted a cameo in last year?s ?Nobody, Nobody But Juan? just to act with the country?s King of Comedy. (She recently celebrated her birthday with Dolphy and his family in Hong Kong.)

?I have no qualms about the size of roles, big or small,? she said. ?An actor should always be open and cooperative.?

E-mail bayanisandiego@hotmail.com.