She’s ready for mature roles, but...

She is one year short of becoming a debutante. However, Shaina Magdayao blooms and glides like one this early. Why? She has a promising young life and showbiz career – a privilege and a blessing many wannabes and young ladies her age envy.

How time flies! Shaina spent 11 fruitful years in showbiz and still counting. She has unmasked only half of what she can offer to tinseltown.

"I’m ready to do mature roles as long as the material is good," quips Shaina when asked if she will kiss teeny bopper roles ABS-CBN has given her goodbye. But being ready is just half the battle. The teener has to win the heart and get the nod of her conservative father. It’s a baptism of fire even older sister Vina Morales went through. So, a possible cover on FHM magazine is a no-no at the moment.

Meantime, Shaina is enjoying wholesome and safe projects like the upcoming Rounin, Star Magic Presents, Love Spell and ASAP ’06, where she performs with onscreen partner Rayver Cruz.

Asked what’s the real score between her and Rayver, Shaina offers, "He is not courting me. We’re not even sweethearts and we’re not MU (mutual understanding)." Shaina adds that she is happy the way their loveteam is going. It’s not everyday young actresses like her get to sing and dance with their partners, says Shaina. What endears Shaina to Rayver is his infectious positive energy.

This energy and their chemistry will be seen more when Star Magic Presents: All About Your Love hits the small screen soon. The show follows the tradition of youth-oriented programs like Gimik and Tabing-Ilog.

The Shaina-Rayver loveteam is just one of the many pairings to be featured on Star Magic Presents. Hopefully, the new Star Magic Presents will get a Saturday timeslot where most young people have the time to tune in. Shaina is also part of Regal Films’ movie Happy Hearts.

Aside from showbiz, Shaina is also busy managing the family-owned business Ystilo salon. She oversees the day-to-day operations of the Berkeley Commonwealth branch. She is also finishing her secondary education at Angelicum and is bound to take up a psychology or a business course in college.

Recently, Shaina turned 17 and celebrated the special day with her family and friends. She wanted the occasion simple and intimate. When she turns 18 next year, Shaina prefers to have another intimate party or to travel to Europe instead of having a grand birthday bash. "A debut is not just for a night," says Shaina. This says a lot about Shaina’s other plans. One of them is to reach out to the less fortunate, particularly cancer patients. She plans to put up a foundation that will provide financial and medical assistance to them.

"I don’t consider everything work," says Shaina of her career. "I just love what I am doing."