Denise: A matter of right timing

MANILA, Philippines - Denise Laurel is getting her fair share of the showbiz spotlight these days. After Midnight Phantom had its curtain call last Friday, Kapamilya viewers will see her anew with Rafael Rosell in Precious Hearts Romances Presents Martha Cecilia’s Kristine beginning today on ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida. The TV series also stars Cristine Reyes and Zanjoe Marudo.

“I think this is the right time. I’ve been in showbiz for 13 years. People saw me grow up from my ugly years as an awkward teenager to what I am now. I am never in a hurry and whatever they give I always say yes. Now that I’m turning 23 (on Sept. 30), I know this is the right time,” Denise says. “God’s time eh. I don’t know, it just all fell into place.”

Hence, Denise always reminds those who are just starting to make a niche in the acting biz not to fret but to work hard and focus on what they do. Denise humbly admits that she herself still has so much to learn. She’s been polishing her Tagalog more to better deliver her dialogues scene after scene.

Acting-wise, Denise takes great effort in affecting the audience. “Anybody can cry but it’s about having an appropriate ‘cry’ that makes it (drama acting) effective,” she explains. “Basically, I’ve never tried doing a serious movie yet so there are still lots to learn.”

Does she feel that a bigger break won’t be far behind now that TV projects come one after the other?

“Hopefully soon, but I don’t think about those things at the moment. I’m more concerned on how I am going to play my role well and how I can make my director’s vision come to life.”

While acting gives her a different high, Denise makes it a point that her role jives with her morals. She even consults her family before playing a character.

“I come from a strict family, very religious and I’m very family-oriented. I think about their well-being above everything else even above my own so they’re my priority. Work is secondary to God and family.”

Besides, direk Rory (Quintos) guarantees the soap will appeal to all viewers as the story revolves around family and love. Denise was only 11 when she first worked with direk Rory in Pangako Sa’Yo.

And when it comes to affairs of the heart, Denise finds her character Emerald Fortalejo in Kristine her total opposite. Emerald is madly in love with Marco de Silva (Rafael) who belongs to a clan the Fortalejos hate most. 

“My family knows everything about me. When I get home, I sit beside my mom and tell her how my day went or kung may cute guy but that’s about it. My parents brought me up right so I know what type of guy na pasado. Kung hindi, I will not be happy.”