Sharlene: All is fair in LUV U

MANILA, Philippines - Do not expect Sharlene San Pedro to feel blue whenever her character Shirley Bernardo on ABS-CBN’s LUV U has to stay on the sidelines in some of the show’s episodes.  

“It’s definitely fine with me,” said Sharlene about her character making limited appearances at certain times. “There is really nothing to worry about.”

Sharlene, who started her acting career in Goin’ Bulilit and eventually became popular through her rags-to-riches role in Sarah Ang Munting Prinsesa, knows that “the scriptwriters make sure that everyone becomes the lead in the story.” And “everyone” pertains to her contemporaries — Alexa Ilacad, Sophia Baars, Nash Aguas and Jairus Aquino — who also play vital roles in the Kapamilya youth-oriented show. The five teen stars were Goin’ Bulilit graduates who joined LUV U a year ago.

According to Sharlene, it never crossed her mind that her role is of lesser importance “because even from the start, we knew that the story wanted to initially establish the connection between Nash and Alexa. And then, there were episodes that centered on me and Jairus. Remember those episodes where Jairus became a superhero and where he played F4 member Dao and me as San Chai? So for me, fair naman ‘yung nangyayari.”

Even Kobi and Sophia have their fair share of the spotlight. It was in one episode where Kobi’s character Archie had to deal with his stage fright through the help of his friends. Sophia’s Patricia, on the other hand, got to shine in another story when Archie expressed his admiration for her beauty.

“Sobrang saya lagi kami sa taping,” Sharlene shared. “No pressure at all for us to work with one another because it’s like we’re just playing; parang nasa Goin’ (Bulilit set) lang. We get along well.” 

Sharlene further said that their friendship goes beyond the set of LUV U. They hang out together during free time. Just recently Sharlene, CJ Navato, Jairus and Miles Ocampo had a fun time watching a volleyball game at the Mall of Asia Arena.

That’s why, the 15-year-old Kapamilya talent was quick to dispel any rivalry issue hurled against them. But in the coming weeks, their friendship is about to be put to a test with the Mr. & Miss LUV U Pageant. The popularity of the five teen stars will be determined via text and online voting. The voting mechanics will be announced on the show tomorrow, Nov. 16.

“I thought the competition will just be one of the show’s episodes, ‘yun pala talagang may voting na mangyayari and the televiewers will decide who are going to win in the pageant,” Sharlene related.

Her only worry is the possibility of their respective fans to “start fighting or bashing kasi syempre gusto nilang manalo ang idolo nila.”

Truth is, Sharlene had already been bashed online. But never did she take negative comments on social media seriously. “There were some who accused me of being a flirt. Why get hurt when I know I am not?”

Asked if her career has turned rosier since she became a regular in LUV U, Sharlene smiled and said, “I felt like I have regained my popularity since I joined the show; ‘yung mga fans ko nabuhay kasi na stop yun after Goin’ Bulilit.”

No wonder, Sharlene is happy at the rate things are going on with her career. She is also set to star with Jairus in Nathaniel topbilled by Gerald Anderson and Shaina Magdayao.

(LUV U airs Sundays after ASAP 19. It is directed by brothers Frasco and Badjie Mortiz.)