Glaiza on being villain, heroine

CEBU, Philippines – Glaiza de Castro claims that she never put pressure on herself to become the lead star-or in Filipino showbiz parlance, the bida-in television and movies. The 22-year-old Kapuso actress, who made a mark by essaying one contrabida character to another, explained that her roles, despite being antagonistic and supporting in nature, were not to be taken lightly due to the acting intensity required.

She said that she was surprised when she finally earned lead star status in the GMA 7 primetime fantasy-romance series "Grazilda" after being cast as the villain in the TV remakes of "Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin" and "Stairway To Heaven", and on the musical series "Diva".

She told The FREEMAN on the sidelines of the recent Masskara Festival in Bacolod that the disadvantage of being bida is that the "spotlight is now on you and that everything that you do is magnified."

And the do's and don'ts are more pronounced, she shared. "When you're contrabida, it seems there are no limitations especially on the image you want to create to fit the acting expected from you. You know, you can cut your hair at any way you like it, or dress whatever you want."

"But if you're bida, kailangan ganito ka, or ganito itsura mo, kailangan di makikita yan, parang sabi ko, ganito pala? Everyday I adjust to being the lead character. Hindi kasi ako sanay na araw-araw ang taping at kung saan-saan, from Pampanga, Manila, Batangas to Baguio, at halos lahat ng eksena kasama ka."

She added, "To be the lead does bring huge pressure because in a way you feel that you have to carry the show. But the good thing is I belong to a team that doesn't make you feel that way. They tell me okay, you're the lead character, but we all make the show."

While Glaiza had her share of loveteams when she was starting out, as in the conventional way of pushing stars into public consciousness, she actually started getting notice without the benefit of having one.

"Oo, ngayon lang ako nagkaroon ng loveteam ulit in 'Grazilda' (with Geoff Eigenmann)," she said, adding that if this means anything, it is that going against stereotype is actually possible for an artista to further his or her career.

Glaiza finished highschool from a Catholic private institution in Valenzuela City, then pursued University of the Philippines - Open University studies, but she has not finished this yet.

She was discovered while a shoot was taking place in Valenzuela. "Nag- church ako, nakiki-usyoso ganun, tapos nakita ako at tinanong ako, may Ate ka ba? Tapos takbo naman ako sa bahay, pero ayaw ng kapatid ko, so takbo naman ako pabalik at sabi ko, ayaw ng Ate ko eh. So yun, ako nakuha."

Nevertheless, her interest in the performing arts is hereditary. "My family and relatives are entertainers who worked abroad. My Tatay plays different instruments, so ang first love ko talaga is music," said Glaiza, who is the fourth child in a brood of five.

She gets to show off her first love as a regular on the Sunday variety show "Party Pilipinas". She also played singing roles on TV, the latest of which was "Diva", wherein she figured in several sing-offs with its lead, Regine Velasquez, no less.

Glaiza has so far released two albums: Magbalik Ka, released in 2001, and the self-titled Glaiza, released in 2006. When she gets to unwind, she also tinkers with her laptop and composes songs.

But a new album will have to wait for now, since it appears that acting remains her main focus. Sister tabloid Pilipino Star Ngayon recently reported that Glaiza will be launched as a film lead star in the 2011 remake of the 1992 Alma Moreno starrer "Aswang", produced by Regal Films.

Asked why she thinks her acting is getting recognized, she said: "As much as possible you have to really feel your character, because if you do, people will acknowledge it. I remember when the opportunity to be contrabida was offered to me, I really felt uncertain at that time, but I'm glad I accepted it because it worked. I guess you just don't have to back down from any challenge."