Louise Delos reyeTween actress talks about biggest break, student life

CEBU, Philippines - There’s a new star in GMA 7’s afternoon block, a soft-spoken 17-year-old who’s had numerous TV commercials, print ads, beauty titles and support acting roles to her credit. Louise delos Reyes, who began acting at age 8, finally gets her turn as a full-fledged lead this year via the network’s latest fantasy-drama “Alakdana.”

But that’s getting ahead of her story. Louise is not a newcomer in the biz, but she’s far from being a household name so a little background is in order.

The tween actress told The FREEMAN that at 8 years old, she was in ABS-CBN’s “Ang TV” using her real name Mary Grace Perido. Then Star Cinema got her for the movie “9 Mornings” with Piolo Pascual and Donita Rose. Later, she appeared in a GMA 7 soap “Ang Iibigin Ay Ikaw” starring Alice Dixson and Christopher de Leon where she played a young antagonist.

At 12, Louise had to stop as she was entering the awkward teen phase. When her dental braces were taken off at age 15, she made a comeback via TV 5’s youth-oriented shows “Lip Gloss” and “BFGF”. She also showed her dancing chops in the same channel’s Sunday variety show “PO5”. In 2009, her performance in the indie film “Agaton and Mindy” earned her a Best New Movie Actress nomination in the 26th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) awards night.

The pretty young thing (a toss-up between Rhian Ramos and Anne Curtis, observed her make-up artist) has also won beauty contests such as Ms. Lyceum of the Philippines University-Cavite 2010, Ms. Teen Philippines International-Luzon 2007, Ms. Jag Teen 2007 and Ms. Teen Super Ferry 2007.

Louise said her Kapuso transfer was all sudden. One moment a talent coordinator told her that GMA bosses wanted to look her over, the next meeting she was handed a script and was told that taping for a new show would start the very next day.

“Papunta ako sa rehearsal ng PO5. May lumapit sa akin from channel 7, sabi gusto daw ako makita ng executive producer ng isang show. Sabi ko sige, titignan lang naman, wala namang sinabi na mag-audition. Pumunta ako, sabi nila pwede daw ako. Binigyan nila ako ng script. Pinakita nila ako nila Ms. Wilma Galvante and Ms. Lilybeth Rasonable. Tapos taping na daw kinabukasan. Ang bilis ng mga pangyayari,” she said.

She was given the shows “Pilyang Kerubin”, then “Reel Love presents: Tween Hearts.” On Sundays, fans await her appearance in the “Party Pilipinas” segment, Sayaw Kabataan Crew.

Now, she’s been promoted to lead status in “Alakdana” which premiered last Monday after “Eat Bulaga.” Louise is Adana, a compassionate girl born with a scorpion tail on her body. “Adana is a simple girl na maraming pangarap. Pero lahat ng yun hindi niya natutupad kasi meron siyang sumpa na isang buntot ng Alakdana. Dun iikot yung buong istorya. Kapag nagagalit siya, lalo na kung inaapi yung mga mahal niya, dun lumalabas yung buntot na hindi niya ma-control,” said Louise of her character.

She is joined by three love interests: StarStruck IV heartthrob Paulo Avelino as Billy, rapper-turned-actor Ritchie Paul Gutierrez as Gab and newcomer Alden Richards as Joma.

So far, she’s happy with the production team’s feedback. “Meron kasi akong expectations sa sarili ko and I felt hindi ko sila na-meet during our first taping day. But when I learned that I met what they expected in a particular scene, natuwa ako. Kaya lalo kong gagalingan at seseryusuhin ang trabaho,” she shared, adding that among her inspirations are Kapuso actresses Marian Rivera, Rhian Ramos and Glaiza de Castro. 

Louise had to be pulled out of “Tween Hearts” so she could focus her energy on “Alakdana.” With her lucky break come intrigues, such as former Tween Hearts co-stars Barbie Forteza and Bea Binene getting envious of her fortune. But Louise refuted such talk.

“Sa set namin sa Tween Hearts, para kaming barkada. Kapag nagkaroon ng show yung isa, susuportahan namin. Nagbibigay kami ng advice kasi minsan may naninira lalo na sa Twitter. Pero sinasabi namin, huwag na lang pansinin. Nung nagkaroon ako ng sariling show, natuwa sila. Sometimes they text me, ‘Goodnight Alakdana’...”

Outside the limelight, Louise is a full-time second year scholar at the Lyceum of the Philippines University taking up Foreign Service.

Growing up in a family of police officers, she once dreamt of becoming a cop too. Her dad is a retired police officer, while her brothers, uncles, cousins and a sister-in-law are active in the service. Later on, she changed her mind and decided she wanted to be a lawyer so she could help her relatives whose profession made them prone to court cases.

In the end, she chose Foreign Service, which will allow her to become an ambassador, consul or diplomat. “You can also work in the Department of Foreign Affairs or in embassies. We study international laws, protocols and diplomacy. Some people say it’s like Tourism but it’s not. Tourism is more on hospitality but Foreign Service deals with laws of other countries. Tamang-tama kasi mahilig din talaga ako mag-aral ng mga batas.” (FREEMAN)