From sweet to suplada

Sweet, petite, shy, cute, and friendly are typical adjectives that come to mind when describing twenty-year old Sheena Halili. But in Marimar, she will attempt to banish all these as she emerges as mean Monica. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Perfect opposites Monica’s role is to make Marimar’s life even harder than it already is, especially with Angelika (Katrina Halili around. As Angelika’s loyal sidekick, Monica supports her schemes and relishes in being condescending towards others. Sheena says that portraying this role is a real challenge for her, because she finds it difficult to unleash her inner kontrabida! “Ni-research ko nga e! Tapos noong nakita ko 'yung picture (sa Internet), ‘Hala! Ito pala 'yung gagawin ko! Iyakin ako sa totoong buhay, napaka-sensitive kong tao, hindi ko kayang lumaban -- tapos ito! Hindi ko man lang kayang manlait, tapos ganoon gagawin ko dito -- puro lait, puro sungit! Puro pangaapi!” Nevertheless, Sheena took the role to heart and even went as far as dyeing her hair a lighter shade for her features to appear more mature. “Pina-bleach ko, pinakulay talaga nila ‘yan! Para mature (ang dating). Sabi nga nila mommy, ‘Wow, nag-mature na itsura mo, anak! First time ko lang mag-ganito, nagandahan naman ako, kaya lang parang hindi ko siya kaya pag pumasok ako sa school!” Sheena is a Tourism student at Angeles University (Pampanga), and she says that her parents will be extremely understanding of her plans to stay in showbiz as long as she continues to pursue her studies. “Dati kasi, ayaw talaga nila akong mag-artista. Ngayon, nakikita na naman nila sa akin na gusto ko, at nage-enjoy ako, kaya supportive na talaga sila. Sabi nila, ‘Basta mag-school ka lang.’” Being paired with her StarStruck 1 batchmate Katrina made things a bit easier for Sheena, since they’ve already known each other from back then. “Kaya lang, si Katrina kasama kong kontrabida, (kaya) sana mabigyan ko ng justice ‘yung role ko, di ba? Na makita nila na ‘Ay, pwede pala si Sheena maging kontrabida!’” The two directors who will be leading the series, Joyce Bernal and Mac Alejandre, have already worked with Sheena before. “Si direk Mac, nag-umpisa pa lang kami sa Joyride (2004), (siya) na kasama namin. Pero si direk Joyce, nakasama ko siya sa StarStruck 1 -- siya 'yung judge. Ngayon, siya na 'yung director, (kaya) kailangan, kasi isa siya sa mga pumili sa amin sa Top 14, matuwa naman siya sa amin!” “Sabi ko nga sa mommy ko, umpisa pa lang ito, sana (tuluy-tuloy) na. Baka hanggang umpisa na naman ito! Pero sinabi naman ng (parents) ko, ‘Okay lang anak kung hindi mo kaya, pero sa ngayon na kaya mo, mas magandang maraming dumating sa’yo na work.’” Sheena happily shared that the role was offered to her and that she did not have to audition to be part of the much-awaited series. 46th Sexiest! Last year, her ranking in FHM’s Sexiest Women was in the 70s, but this year, she moved up to the 46th spot! “Last year, aaminin ko, sinabi ko sa mga fans ko, ‘Uy, iboto niyo naman ako sa FHM! Pero this year, sabi ko, ‘Hayaan mo na, kahit hindi na ako makasali.’ Tapos sabi ng kaklase ko, ‘Hoy, bakla, kasama ka pala sa ganyan!’ ‘Ha? Talaga? Hindi naman ako nagpa-vote!’” "Pag-uwi ko sa bahay, tiningnan ko, tapos ‘yun nga, 46. Masaya, syempre, (kasi) pag hindi man ako maging artista sa pagtanda ko, kahit papaano, naging isa ako sa sexiest sa atin sa Pilipinas!” Sheena admits that she felt really nervous during the FHM Night where all the Sexiest Pinays had to sashay down the ramp. “Kinakabahan ako! Sexy rock 'yung (theme) namin. Hindi ko alam kung ano dapat kong isuot -- kinakabahan ako doon mag-skirt kasi puro guys nga, tapos 'yung stage, mataas! E 'yung dress ko pa naman na suot, (medyo maiksi). (Tapos) lahat nang (ra-rampa), sexy talaga. Sabi ko, ‘Hala, parang wala naman akong K!’” “Pero ang saya-saya ko, kasi hindi ko in-expect na noong lumakad ako, kahit papaano, may mga guys na ‘Uy, si Sheena, nandito pala!’ Kasi kinakabahan ako, baka sabihin, ‘Bakit nandiyan ‘yan, e hindi naman ‘yan sexy?’ Kaya noong paglakad ko, na-feel ko na rumampa!” What does she think of aesthetic enhancements that so many of her peers have been resorting to for that perfect body? “Ako siguro, kung magkakaroon ng height, magpapadagdag ako!” replies Sheena, who stands at five feet and 2 inches. “Pero sa iba, wag na lang! Hinihintay ko na lang magkaroon si Calayan o Belo ng (height enhancement)! Kasi bone structure ko, petite, kaya lalo akong nagmumukhang mas maliit! Ayan, di ba, 20 na ako, (pero) role ko palagi, 15, 16, (or) 17 (years old)!” Is Sheena willing to go sexy any time soon? She is of age, after all! “Hindi ko pa kaya! Kailangan nga sa pictorial, naka-swimsuit, e! Nag-cycling shorts talaga ako! Hindi pa ako ready talaga. Sa ngayon, hindi ko pa nakikita sarili ko (na magpa-sexy). Pero sabi nga ni mommy, ‘Wag kang magsalita ng patapos, mamaya, bigla ka na lang pumayag!’ Kaya ko siguro basta shorts, boyleg, etc. Tago naman (kasi), tapos baby bra siguro, or super backless, basta covered naman (sa harap). Balanced (dapat). Hindi bastusin tingnan!” Don’t miss Sheena as a kontrabida in Marimar, starting on August 13 only on GMA! Related articles: Why Sheena is Shy The iGMA Shopping Challenge