Comedienne on the rise

Comedienne Alora Sasam’s star is on the rise. Alora has only been in showbiz for a little over a year, but she has already leapfrogged over other aspirants to become a comedienne to watch out for.

Big words, yes, but when you consider that Alora has been in three movies (one independent film, one Regal Films production and one Star Cinema release) and bagged regular roles in two Kapamilya TV shows, they seem like less of an exaggeration and more like fact. Add to that the short film she starred in that kicked off Star Magic’s 22nd anniversary celebration in ASAP 19 — in which her portrayal of the ultimate Star Magic fangirl earned laughter and praise from fans, showbiz reporters and even her fellow Star Magic artists.

Alora has always wanted to be in showbiz since she was in fifth grade, when she had her first taste of the rush one feels when bringing a character to life. “May class activity kasi kami noon,” she recalls. “Alam mo yung mga roleplay na ginagawa sa classroom? Yung role ko was babae na mananakawan ng bag, and my only line was, ‘Pulis, pulis!’ Tapos nung sinabi ko yung line ko, nagpalakpakan yung classmates ko. But dancing was my first love, pero nung ginawa ko yung activity na yun, naramdaman ko na OK din pala ang acting.”

She honed her skills in class activities until she entered high school and then college, where she joined drama clubs. But all throughout her pursuit of her newfound passion, her parents never let Alora forget the other thing they thought she should pursue.

Alora’s parents are big believers in the value of education so she grew up believing the same. “Pinalaki nila ako na importante ang school. Palagi nila sinasabi sa akin na importanteng makatapos ako ng pag-aaral. Both my parents did not finish school that’s why they raised me with that kind of mindset, which is true, right? Because it’s really different if you have a diploma.”

In her senior year in high school, she applied at the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) to study Digital Filmmaking, thinking she could break into showbiz by starting behind the scenes. However, when her parents found out about her plans, they talked Alora out of going to CSB, saying they couldn’t afford the tuition.

“Naintindihan ko naman kung bakit — kasi nga mahal doon tapos sa Manila pa siya, so sabi ko na lang sa sarili ko, ‘Sige, tapusin ko na lang muna yung pag-aaral ko.’”

She ended up going to nursing school, which she felt good about because some of her relatives are nurses and working as a nurse would put her in a better position to help her family. “Hindi naman kasi kami mayaman so kailangan talaga na matulungan ko sila.”

Before she could further her nursing career, Alora found out that Star Magic Workshops was going to hold a weeklong regional workshop in Davao City — which is a six-to-eight hour bus ride away from her hometown of Iligan City. She took a leave of absence from a six-month training program at a nearby hospital so she could join the workshop. Not only did she brave the long commute every day by herself but she also had to keep being in the workshop a secret from her parents. It was hard, but she kept going, fueled by her dreams of fame and fortune.
After Alora graduated from Star Magic’s regional workshop in May 2011, she moved to Manila in October of the same year to take more acting classes under filmmaker Rahyan Carlos, Star Magic’s artist training head. Again, she kept the truth about her big move from her family. “Feeling ko kasi noon hindi nila ako papayagan pumunta ng Manila kung para sa workshop lang, so sabi ko sa kanila mag-aaral ako ng kidney dialysis,” she laughs.

Eventually her hard work paid off when she was picked to audition for a spot in Star Magic’s stable of talents — but she would have to face its head Johnny Manahan first, a prospect she found exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time.

“Aware ako kung sino si Mr. M. bago pa ako mag-audition kasi dati pa dream ko na talagang maging Star Magic artist. Nag-pray ako na sana good mood siya pagpasok ko. Dahil gusto ko talaga mag-stand out at naisip ko baka hindi ako mapansin kasi magaganda yung mga kasabay ko sa audition noon, nagsuot ako ng umiilaw na earrings para mapansin ako.”

Those earrings did the trick because she was signed to Star Magic shortly thereafter. And when Alora had another audition for the teen sitcom LUV U, she wore those earrings again and was cast as Alexa Ilacad’s Yaya Judilyn. More projects followed, capped by her role in the primetime teleserye MiraBella as Julia Barretto’s best friend Marigold.

These days, Alora no longer just watches her favorite stars do their thing. Now, she’s one of them and she even gets to work with some of her idols. Her acting has even taken her to foreign lands (she recently flew to Malaysia with the LUV U cast, marking her first trip abroad). What’s more, her parents and younger brother are now fully supportive of her.

Alora is living the dream, and she couldn’t be happier.