Conceited Claire

She is a beautiful lady with an undesirable personality. She is a mean girl whose conceitedness is concealed by an angelic mask. Thankfully, she's not a real person! Fresh from her portrayal of the haughty Pamela on Princess Charming, StarStruck 3 Avenger Arci Muñoz is back in Pati ba Pintig ng Puso? as another antagonist. Text by Jessa Ericka C. Bien. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio and the GMA Network. Arci plays Claire, the proud and ambitious sister of Jenna (Yasmien Kurdi). Claire only wants the best things for herself, even at the expense of her own family. Despite her Nanay Rosa’s (Jennifer Sevilla) constant reminders to treat Jenna nicely, Claire lives her life according to her greedy principles. She even allies herself with the scheming Agatha (Karel Marquez) to make sure Jenna does not get her moment with the handsome Aldrin (JC de Vera ). “As usual” she says, grinning. “I’m the evil sister of Yasmien. Ako ‘yung mapang-api sa kanya, kasi dito maid lang siya. (Kasi) kahit kapatid niya ako, ako ‘yung pinag-aaral, parang senyorita sa bahay. Ambisyosa ako, feeling ko mayaman talaga ako.” Be it due to her strong features or her intimidating looks, Arci has been a resident antagonist from way back during her StarStruck days. But just how different is this character from all the others she has portrayed? “Ibang attack naman ito sa pagiging kontabida ko” she shares. “Hindi tulad sa Princess Charming na pa-silent ang ginagawa kong scheming, dito, lantaran kong ginagawa kung ano ang gusto kong gawin sa kanila. Gusto ko (kasi) maging paborito ako ni Don Griego (Eddie Gutierrez)”. Although Arci’s character was not originally part of the 1985 film, she asserts that she still plays a vital role in the show especially when it comes to Jenna and the Griegos. This is the reason why she is motivated to do well in every take. “Medyo mahirap gawin ‘yung facial expression na hindi nakikita ‘yung guilt (kahit guilyty ka na)” she discloses. “(Kaya) sa bahay kinakausap ko na ‘yung sarili ko, nag-iinternalize na ako sa (harap ng) salamin o kaya sa sister ko. Nagpa-practice talaga ako beforehand.” Really Good Unlike the characters she plays, Arci says she is naturally kind-hearted and nice. And though she is slowly becoming stereotyped as an antagonist, she takes pleasure in knowing that she can portray her character very well because people are affected by her acting. “Hindi naman po ako namimili ng role na ibibigay sa’kin, (at) nag-eenjoy po ako sa pagiging kontrabida” she says. “Pero minsan meron na pong nang-aaway sa’kin eh, akala nila masama talaga ako. (Ginagawa ko), kinakausap ko sila na script lang ‘yun” she narrates. She opts to look at the bright side instead. “Nakakatuwa rin, kasi kapag naiinis sila sa’yo ‘di ba, ibig sabihin okay ka? Ibig sabihin effective akong kontrabida” she ends, satisfied. Catch more of Arci in her latest afternoon drama, Pati ba Pintig ng Puso? . Share your thoughts about her in the forums !