Shaina Magdayao on the ‘Emmans’ in her life: ‘I’ve always been saved’

MANILA, Philippines — Shaina Magdayao believes that in life, people are never truly alone.

There are family members, friends, mentors, spiritual guides and even co-workers who arrive at the right time, carrying the wisdom, protection or comfort one needs to keep going.

These are the “Emmans” in her life, the actress reflected while talking exclusively to The Philippine STAR recently about her ongoing TV5 primetime series “My Bespren Emman.”

The inspirational family drama, where she plays Ruth, a mother and wife who continues to fight despite life’s many hardships, airs every Monday to Friday at 8:45 p.m. on the Kapatid network.

In the series, Shaina said her character finds strength in the people around her. There is Mateo (played by JM de Guzman), her husband; Priscilla (Yasmyne Jill), her best friend; Lola Marida (Mitch Valdez), who stood as a mother figure to Ruth; and Ruth’s daughter, Miriam (Ryrie Sophia), who gives her a reason to keep fighting.

With her older sisters (including fellow actress Vina Morales)whom she describes as ‘super women.’

Photo from Shaina’s Instagram

That, for her, is also what makes the show — also starring rock star Ely Buendia as the titular character Emman — relatable. It is not just about one person’s journey, but also about the people who become instruments of grace in someone’s life.

And in Shaina’s own life, especially her three decades in showbiz, there have been many. She said she has been fortunate to be surrounded by good people.

“I’m lucky kasi I’m blessed with good people around me — pamilya ko, but also mga tumatayong parang Emman din,” she said.

Some of these people were family friends who gave guidance and even spiritual advice.

“We have family friends din na mga nuns, priests, pastors. Marami kaming mga kaibigan na they know better, they have more wisdom when it comes to life,” she added.

Looking back, Shaina recognizes how important those people were, especially because she entered showbiz at a very young age and was exposed early to many things.

“At a very young age, I already had money. I already had access to anything and everything I wanted to buy,” the former child star said.

“If I wanted to buy drugs when I was younger, pwede kong magawa sana yun. But bakit hindi? Bakit ako parang laging nase-save?”

“It’s because of the people around me. It’s because of the Emmans in my life,” she added.

Shaina also credited the entertainment industry for giving her role models who helped shape her both as an actress and as a person.

She recalled working with respected actors in the blockbuster movie “Tanging Yaman,” describing them as some of the greatest actors in the industry.

When she moved to ABS-CBN, Shaina said she also found a father figure in Johnny Manahan, more popularly known as Mr. M, the former Star Magic boss who is now with TV5’s StarWorx.

“When I transferred to ABS pa, it was Mr. M who became my father and who really guided me,” she said.

According to Shaina, these people helped keep her grounded during the vulnerable years of growing up in the public eye.

“Pwede akong mapariwara. Pwede akong mapa-barkada sa maling barkada. Pwede akong magkamali in ways na parang very life-altering,” she said. “Pero hindi. I’ve always been saved.”

Her own sisters have also been part of the inspiration she brings to Ruth.

As the youngest of four girls, Shaina grew up watching what her older sisters went through. She calls them her “super women.”

“Lumaki ako na ako baby sa family. Apat kami (siblings), I have three (older) sisters, so we’re four girls. So alam ko yung mga pinagdaanan ng mga ate ko na matuturing kong inspiration din because I call them my super women,” she said.

Growing up in showbiz also opened Shaina’s eyes to different kinds of people and struggles.

“I was a very sheltered little girl kung tutuusin when I was growing up, but because of my exposure sa industry and sa iba’t ibang klaseng tao, parang namulat yung mata ko sa totoong mundo, sa totoong buhay,” she said.

Because of that, Shaina feels she can relate more easily to the people she works with, both on screen and behind the camera.

“It wasn’t a filtered childhood,” she said.

This is also why the message of “My Bespren Emman” hits close to home for her.

At the heart of the story, Shaina added, is a reminder that people are often carried through life by those who show up for them.

“It makes you question: Who is the Emman in your life? Or sino-sino ang mga tao na parang Emman sa buhay mo?” she said.

That question, she further said, is one of the reasons she wanted to be part of the series, especially at a time when many people are looking for something — or someone — to hold on to.

“To be able to do a material that reminds not just our viewers, but also kami rin behind the camera… na hindi tayo nag-iisa during these challenging times is actually very important,” Shaina said.

“Hindi tayo nag-iisa,” she further said, “meron Siyang mga mabubuting tao na ipinadadala sa atin.”