Eula Caballero's 'S' factor

MANILA, Philippines - Winning Star Factor was Eula Caballero’s ticket to local tinseltown. She has transformed from a talent search wannabe into an aspiring young star in the past 10 months. Eula has shown her comedic and dramatic potential in such shows as Bagets Nation, Luv Crazy and Sa Ngalan ng Ina with Nora Aunor and Christopher de Leon. The Kapatid drama princess and Regal baby is also seen singing and dancing in Hey It’s Saberdey.

Each day is an opportunity for the Cebuana beauty to learn the ins and outs of the biz; she is on her way to discover her “S” (star) factor other showbiz neophytes lack.

“Keep your feet on the ground,” recalls Eula of her mom’s pieces of advice now that she is living her dream. “Be humble. Look back to where you came from. I have to be nice and I should know what’s right from wrong.”

Perhaps, this makes Eula aware of the realities of doing show business: An actor is only as good as his last performance and stars just come and go. That’s why the young star always raises the bar in her every TV assignment.

 “I am afraid of watching myself (on TV),” shares Eula. “I know I will see mistakes that I should have not done or things I could have done better. But I still watch (my shows). That’s how I can assess myself and know where I am in acting. I think I have improved in terms of acting. (It has helped) having worked with big stars. If I sounded (awful) in one scene (or I didn’t get it right), I try not to commit the same mistake the next time I work. I also have to avoid mannerisms like blinking of my eyes.”

One can’t blame Eula for becoming a critic of herself as new and better stars join showbiz year after year.She only wants to be on her toes. Besides, not everyone is given the chance to act on TV and to get a full support from one’s home network.

Since Talent 5, TV5’s talent development and management center, wants its homegrown artists to be well-rounded, Eula and fellow artists have attended workshops in jazz, acting and voice. There’s also a well-trained, reliable team that coaches them in their performances and appearances.

“They teach us how to dress up properly and how to deal with people,” shares Eula. “They encourage us to buy makeup and invest in clothes.” Eula shares that to look good is to watch her diet and take care of her skin.

Does Eula have any regrets of pursuing a career in acting that entails long hours of taping and spending little time with family and friends?

“Wala po akong pagsisisi,” answers Eula. “With showbiz, me and my siblings have become closer. I have become closer to my mom, too. We have bonded more. We care more for each other. Like my sisters in Cebu, they try to come to Manila and visit me here during vacation. I also visit them there if I get the chance. Ngayon namin na-realize kung gaano kakulang yung family namin. We try our best to see each other and get together. (Do I get special treatment?). No, I don’t. In fact, I’m the one who pampers them — I baby them. Since I’ve spent more time (working and) I’m always out, I try to make them feel my presence when I’m home. I find time to bond with them.”

Asked if there’s a rivalry between her and another Kapatid talent Ritz Azul, Eula replies, “There’s none. We’re good friends. We recalled (our journey) in Star Factor when we met (today). We cried because we don’t see each other that often.”