Ryzza & Aiza together

MANILA, Philippines - Aiza Seguerra has no hard feelings over being asked by ABS-CBN to take a leave of absence from ASAP — the Kapamilya Sunday show where she is an ASAP Sessionista member — while she stars in TAPE, Inc.’s The Ryzza Mae Show Presents…Princess in the Palace topbilled by Ryzza Mae Dizon.

While Aiza admits to feeling bad only “because I will miss the show (ASAP) — that’s very special to me,” she stresses that “I don’t hold any grudges against them (ABS-CBN). I understand, no hard feelings and I respect their decision. It’s just that there are certain things na above sa aming mga artists and you have to understand it.”

Aiza says she had initially thought that it would be okay to accept the project Princess in the Palace because it airs weekdays while ASAP airs Sundays. Both shows are not direct competitors.

“I thought it’s gonna be like that kasi di nga naman direct competition. With what’s happening now, you don’t know how they think. Even up to now, alam naman natin na meron pa ring network thing na nangyayari, especially I think with the AlDub issue, medyo fierce ngayon so yeah, they’re just protecting themselves. They simply said that they don’t want to set a precedent na gawin din ito ng iba pa nilang artists, so that’s fine (with me).”

According to Aiza, being on-leave doesn’t give her the liberty to guest on GMA’s Sunday PINASaya to promote her latest show.

“For now, I couldn’t do that. Kasi kumbaga delicadeza na lang din. ASAP has been part of my life for more than six years and it’s been a habit for me. So, I have to avoid such a thing.”

Princess in the Palace, which premieres today at 11:30 a.m., serves as a reunion of sorts for Eat, Bulaga! babies Aiza and Ryzza. Both are past winners of Little Miss Philippines.

In the series, Aiza plays the presidential guard to President Leona (Eula Valdez) who initially frowns on having Princess (Ryzza) around, but they will eventually form a bond and go against all odds to protect the President.

Aiza feels delighted to be working again with Ryzza. They both starred in the movie My Little Bossings and on Eat, Bulaga!’s Lenten Special last March. The youngest talk show host in the country had Aiza as guest several times on The Ryzza Mae Show. 

“Mahilig kaming dalawa kumain,” says Aiza on the similarities she shares with Ryzza, adding in jest, “well, mas cute na siya sa akin ngayon although cute pa rin naman ako.”

Aiza further adds, “I always tell this to Ryzza na ‘always aim to get better all the time.’ Only your talent can bring you to your dreams and not with our looks because looks fade, diba? Pero ang talento, ang tamang pakikisama at respeto sa mga taong nasa paligid mo, and that’s the secret to success.

“So far, si Ryzza hindi ko yan nakitang nag-tantrums, hindi umabot sa ganun dahil mabilis siyang natatapos sa eksena, so by nine or 10 p.m. she’s already done and by that time cool pa rin sya.” 

Ryzza, meanwhile, bids hosting goodbye as she braces herself for heavy acting scenes in her first full-length drama series. She admits that the role is challenging but she doesn’t mind at all because it’s been her longtime dream to do a teleserye.

“Challenging po kasi hindi pa naman ako sanay sa drama-drama kasi di ba po pag (talk) show, comedy lang. Dito aktingan talaga, may iyakan at dapat memorize ang sasabihin. Mahirap po kasi first time kong mag-teleserye. Lagi po akong pinapaiyak ni direk (Mike Tuviera) e, hehehe!” says the 10-year-old Aleng Maliit.

“Mami-miss ko po yung talk show pero gusto ko pong mag-teleserye para maiba naman at first time ko po talaga ito,” she adds.

Ryzza finds it breezy and fun to work with her co-stars, especially with her Ate Aiza.

“Chill lang,” as Ryzza puts it. “Okey po ako sa kanya at ang galing po niyang artista. Lagi niya rin po akong inaalalayan sa mga eksena namin.”

(Directed by Mike Tuviera, The Ryzza Mae Show Presents…Princess in the Palace also stars Boots Anoson Roa-Rodrigo, Dante Rivero, Ciara Sotto, Neil Perez, Ces Quesada, Marc Abaya, Lianne Valentin, Miggy Jimenez, Vince de Jesus and Rocky Salumbides.)