MANILA - A box of tissue in hand, actress Angel Locsin, who was suffering from a mild case of flu, apologized to reporters who may catch a cold during a press conference on Friday.

There was concern in the air, especially when Locsin excused herself and went out of the room to sneeze. She returned seconds later and assured everyone that she is ready to answer their questions.

One asked her about the persistent rumors that she will be re-cast as Darna for the upcoming Star Cinema film featuring the superheroine. She admitted that there have been talks but added that her health remains her priority.

It was October last year when Locsin, in tears, revealed that she will no longer be donning the famed costume for the movie adaptation due to a disc bulge in her spine.

She recalled that there were days when she could not stand up and walk. "May isang araw po na gumising na lang ako, hindi na po ako makatayo, ni gapang, ni hatak sa sarili hindi ko magawa," Locsin, at the time, said.

Three months later, facing reporters, Locsin, a smile on her face, shared that she is feeling a lot better after undergoing a medical procedure in Singapore and various therapy sessions.

But despite this, Locsin, who coughed a little and sprayed alcohol on her hands, downplayed calls from hopeful fans for her to once again take flight as Darna, a role she first played back in 2005.

"Ang priority ko po kasi talaga ay magpagaling. May kunting usap-usap pero ang kailangan lang po talagang mangyari ay maging successful po 'yung operation at walang mangyayaring masama after that. So iyon lang po ang iniisip ko," she said.

Her words felt heavy, especially since she admitted that some of her favorite roles have been those she did for action-centric films and TV shows.

"Favorite ko talaga is action. Kahit 6 a.m. mo ako gisingin diyan para sa isang buong araw na taping, okay ako, excited ako gawin iyan," Locsin revealed.

The actress, however, remained optimistic. She said that she wants to work with actor and "Ang Probinsyano" star Coco Martin next and that she is willing to wait for a good project to take on.

"Kung bigyan tayo eh malaking bagay pero dapat matuto din kasi tayo na magantay lang at magpasalamat na lang tayo sa mga blessings natin," she explained.

"Kung mayroon, mayroon, kung wala, wala. Basta ako I'm happy, nasa point na ako ng buhay ko na kumportable na tayo mamuhay, kumportable na rin ang pamilya ko. Iyon ang mahalaga sa akin. I'm just hungry na gumawa ng magagandang projects," she added.