Simply overwhelmed

MANILA, Philippines - “It’s overwhelming,” Carla Abellana describes her five-month-old showbiz career. “I’m overwhelmed at how fast everything is going and how big everything is.”

Carla has all the reasons to feel that way. On top of Rosalinda which will end tonight, Carla hosts StarStruck V along with Dennis Trillo and Raymond Gutierrez and stars on GMA 7’s SRO Cinemaserye: Carinderia Queen opposite Geoff Eigenmann on Thursday nights.

“Every day I have work,” says Carla. “And it’s a good thing (that I’m busy). There are opportunities and blessings. It’s interesting and tiring. I have no day-off. Work is my focus.”

If she doesn’t have shoots, Carla is summoned for pictorials and guestings.

SRO Cinemaserye, however, shows what else Carla can offer in the acting department.

“It’s fun,” she says of the latest TV project. “We’re just like playing. At first, I had difficulty getting into my character Juliet who works in her mom’s (Melanie Marquez) carinderia. After a few scenes, I was already okay. (I got the hang of it). I enjoy portraying her.”

Carla deglamorizes herself to look the part.

“It’s different from what I do in Rosalinda which is drama,” shares Carla. “It’s comedy. Juliet is jologs and tomboyish. Yes, it’s challenging but exciting. I like playing someone I am not. The character is something I look forward to doing.”

What challenges the performer in Carla is that her Rosalinda schedule overlaps with her shooting days for SRO and StarStruck. Although she has little time to study her Juliet role, Carla has set workshops given to her by creative and production people of Carinderia Queen.

The new series is about childhood sweethearts Juliet and Romeo (Geoff). Their special attention for each other was rudely interrupted when the latter left for the US to meet his dad.

Years passed. A grown-up Romeo returns to Manila. His meeting with Juliet is inevitable. But some things have changed. Romeo is Westernized while Juliet remains the girl who needs to work hard to live. Making the story more interesting is their respective moms’ wish to pair them together.

Carinderia Queen is like a family affair. Gina Alajar plays mom to real-life son Geoff. Rey “PJ” Abellana is also father to daughter Carla.

Having a primetime soap, and two new TV assignments, Carla’s hands are full. She still remains the Carla Abellana who took her chance at show business early this year.

“My grandmother reminds me to be humble and nice to all,” says Carla. “I don’t let it (fame) get into my head.”

How does she give herself a reality check to remind her that showbiz is temporary and there are new, talented actors who will crop up next year?

“I constantly spend time with my family outside work to humble myself and to know where I came from,” replies Carla.