Caprice Cayetano

Playful, Confident, Gen Z coded

Now that she has bloomed into a fine young lady, Caprice Cayetano is set to captivate everyone with her undeniable charm, bubbly personality, and noteworthy talent as an actress. The 'Cruz vs Cruz' star and Pinoy Big Brother housemate is young, fierce, and ready to take on the world.

Text by Dianne Mariano
Photos by Gerlyn Mae Mariano
Art Direction by Faye Balicas Ochoa
Shot on location: Lyf Malate Manila

Sparkle teen star Caprice Cayetano still can’t believe the admiration and positive reception she has been receiving from Kapuso viewers for her remarkable acting skills as Jessica in the hit GMA Afternoon Prime family drama series, ‘Cruz vs. Cruz.’

“Hindi pa rin po ako makapaniwala kasi akala ko hindi po ma-a-appreciate ng tao ’yung acting ko ngayong teenager na ako. Akala ko mas ma-appreciate lang nila noong bata ako, pero hindi pala. Medyo na-o-overwhelm po ako sa mga comment na napapanood po nila ’yung Cruz vs. Cruz habang nagwu-work sila, kahit busy sila, o kaya after ng school, o kaya kapag suspended, pinapanood po nila ‘yung Cruz vs. Cruz,” Caprice said in her one-on-one interview with GMANetwork.com.

The young actress’ incredible acting prowess should come as no surprise as she has been in the industry ever since she was a little girl. She was part of several hit Kapuso drama series as a child star and was commended by viewers for her exceptional talent.

Now that she’s in her teenage years, Caprice is determined to show more of what she can do as an artist, making her a star that everyone should watch for.

Starting Young

For those who don’t know, Caprice entered the world of show business at a young age. In her interview, she recalled starting her journey in the industry by attending acting workshops to hone her talents.

“Nag-start po ’yung journey ko sa pagwu-workshops. Tapos nung una, medyo nahihiya po ako sa mga ka-workshop ko, pero ginagaya ko na pala siya nung after nung workshops, sa salamin, ginagaya ko na kung paano umiyak ’yung classmates ko sa workshop. Tapos nag-try po akong mag-commercials at mga mag-extra, ’yung mga wala pong lines sa show, mga buhat-buhat lang, ayun po, na-try ko po 'yon,” she said.

The Sparkle star admitted that at first, it didn’t cross her mind to become an actress, but simply wanted to play cashier, a type of pretend play where kids act as cashiers. However, once she got a taste of how showbiz worked, she loved every bit of the process.

“Hindi ko po siya naisip na mag-artista, ang nasa isip ko po na mag-cashier, maglaro lang ng mga cashier-cashier. Pero nung na-try ko po ’yon, ’yung pag-a-acting, pagko-commercials, parang nag-enjoy po ako kasi hindi po nila ako tinatratong bata, parang nagwu-work talaga ako, parang matanda ako, parang tinatrato nila akong gano’n sa taping, professional talaga,” she shared.

In 2014, Caprice landed her first television role through the Kapuso drama series ‘Strawberry Lane,’ which starred Joanna Marie Tan, Joyce Ching, Kim Rodriguez, and Bea Binene, where she played Kachuchay.

“’Yung role po na ’yon, parang tugma siya sa personality ko kasi tahimik lang din siya. Hindi siya masyadong nagsasalita. ’Yung role ko nga doon parang medyo nakakatakot siya kasi tahimik na bata tapos biglang nawawala sa paligid,” she looked back.

Aside from ‘Strawberry Lane,’ the 16-year-old star became part of the well-loved Kapuso drama series like ‘Kambal, Karibal’ (2017), where she portrayed the role of young Criselda; ‘Hindi Ko Kayang Iwan Ka’ (2018), where she played Angela Angeles; ‘Asawa Ko, Karibal Ko’ (2019), where she got the role of Belle, and ‘Prima Donnas’ (2019), where she portrayed the young Donna Belle.

Being in the industry at a young age, Caprice had a great experience working as a child actor because she enjoyed the process and learned a lot from her co-actors and directors.

“Actually masaya po siya, siguro dahil bata po ako no’n, iniisip ko lang po na parang naglalaro lang ako, hindi yun work. Hindi naman po ako natakot. Actually, nag-enjoy po ako kasi marami po akong natutunan sa paligid ko–kung paano po mag-work ’yung directors and ’yung mga co-actor ko po,” she said.

Among all of her television projects as a child actress, it was the drama comedy series ‘Poor Senorita,’ starring Regine Velasquez, that became the most memorable for Caprice. “Grabe nag-enjoy po ako doon kasi puro mga bata po ’yung mga kasama ko. So parang naglalaro lang po talaga ako no’n. At saka, pipi po ’yung role ko doon tapos biglang nakakapagsalita na,” she shared.

When it comes to her acting inspiration, the young stunner cites none other than acclaimed actress, Judy Ann Santos who is also a former child star herself. “Marami rin pong nagsasabi sa comments na parang gano’n din daw po ‘yung acting ko, na natatandaan po nila si Ms. Judy [Ann] tapos si Ms. Gladys [Reyes] din po ’yung umaapi sa kanya,” Caprice said as she referred to the two seasoned stars iconic project, Mara Clara.

Caprice also got candid on the adjustments she had to make from being a child actress to now a rising teen star. Like most artists, the Sparkle actress is determined to learn more and improve on her craft as an artist. “Siguro po ’yung sa pag-explore ng iba’t ibang character. Siyempre kapag bata po parang magagalingan pa sila kasi bata tapos kayang gawin ’yon. Ngayong teenager po ako, mas gusto ko pa pong matuto ng iba’t ibang character work. Kung paano ’yung ganitong emotion, ganyan. ’Yun po, hanggang ngayon, tinatrabaho ko pa rin po ’yun, kung paano ako mas mag-i-improve,” she said with utter enthusiasm.

“Siguro po ’yung sa pag-explore ng iba’t ibang character. Siyempre kapag bata po parang magagalingan pa sila kasi bata tapos kayang gawin ’yon. Ngayong teenager po ako, mas gusto ko pa pong matuto ng iba’t ibang character work. Kung paano ’yung ganitong emotion, ganyan. ’Yun po, hanggang ngayon, tinatrabaho ko pa rin po ’yun, kung paano ako mas mag-i-improve.”

Behind the Limelight

Outside her promising career in the local showbiz industry, Caprice revealed that she’s a certified foodie and loves watching films off-camera.

“Mahilig po akong manood ng movie at kumain po talaga. So kung titingnan n’yo po ’yung Instagram, ’yung mga social media [accounts] ko po, puro food po talaga makikita n’yo doon, lalo na po sa mga photo dump, so mahilig akong kumain,” she shared.

Naturally, the Chinita beauty has a love for food; she is, after all, the daughter of talented chef Jorge Mendez, who owns several restaurants around the metro, among them, Mōdan (Japanese fine dining), Ohayo (sushi and ramen bar), Some Thai, Mugen, and Tadeo. With her father’s vast experience in the culinary industry, it was only natural for Caprice to be fascinated with different cuisines. “Hindi po ako masyado nagluluto e. Siguro na-influence po niya ako na mas mag-explore ng mga iba’t ibang pagkain. Dati po hindi po ako kumakain ng mga truffle, hindi ko po gusto ’yung amoy. Tapos nung na-try ko po ’yung isang pasta sa isang restaurant, ’yun po, nag-enjoy naman po ako,” the teen star said.

Out of all of their family’s restaurants, her most favorite is the Japanese joint, Ohayo, and there’s a heartfelt reason why. “’Yung Ohayo po, ’yung first-ever restaurant po ng daddy ko. ’Yun po ’yung pinipili ko kasi parang baby po ’yun ng daddy ko talaga, doon po nag-start lahat. At saka kung wala po ’yung Ohayo, wala rin po ’yung ibang restaurants like ’yung Some Thai, Mōdan, and Mugen,” she mused.

Asked how she might have turned out if she hadn’t entered the showbiz industry, the ‘Cruz vs. Cruz’ actress imagined she’d be a reserved teen with the ambition of becoming a class president. “Ngayong age ko po, siguro student na mahiyain pa rin. Tapos mahilig mag-food trip at saka nanonood po ako ng mga K-drama palagi kapag walang ginagawa sa school. At saka, dream ko rin po maging Class President. Hindi po ako nagkaroon ng chance maging class president. Siguro po, ipu-pursue ko po iyon,” she shared.

“Hindi po ako nag-audition para sa ‘Cruz vs. Cruz,’ kaya nabigla po ako. Bigla nalang akong may nakuhang schedule, ’yung taping days ko, tapos nakita ko ‘Cruz vs. Cruz.’ Tapos sabi ko, ‘My God, kailangan kong mas aralin ’yung script.’ kasi siyempre ’yung expectation po ng tao, first show ko ’to ngayong teenager na ako. So, medyo kinabahan po ako no’n at saka excited din po.”

The Comeback

Now all grown up, Caprice still has that fire inside of her. In fact, the fire is now burning brighter than ever.

She is currently portraying the role of Jessica in the hit family drama series ‘Cruz vs, Cruz,’ starring Vina Morales, Neil Ryan Sese, and Gladys Reyes. For Caprice, the said Kapuso afternoon drama series is one for the books as it marks her first television show as a teenager.

“Hindi po ako nag-audition para sa ‘Cruz vs. Cruz,’ kaya nabigla po ako. Bigla na lang akong may nakuhang schedule, ’yung taping days ko, tapos nakita ko ‘Cruz vs. Cruz.’ Tapos sabi ko, ‘My God, kailangan kong mas aralin ’yung script.’ kasi siyempre ’yung expectation po ng tao, first show ko ’to ngayong teenager na ako. So, medyo kinabahan po ako no’n at saka excited din po kasi nung nalaman ko na si Ms. Gladys [Reyes], tapos si Sir Neil Ryan Sese, tapos si Ms. Vina Morales, pinapanood ko po sila. At saka, ‘yung lola ko rin po pinapanood sila kaya excited din po sila para sa akin.”

According to Caprice, one of her scenes with her onscreen mother, Gladys, was a challenging yet memorable moment for her as she got to experience getting slapped by the one and only Primera Kontrabida. “Most memorable at medyo challenging po ’yung unang scene po namin ni Ms. Gladys na sampalan po agad. Hindi ko po alam ’yung i-e-expect ko sa pagsampal ni Ms. Gladys kasi hindi ko po alam kung gaano kabigat ’yung kamay niya. Ngayon ko lang po nalaman ’yun sa scene na ’yon. Kaya ’yun po ’yung pinaka-memorable,” she said.

In a separate interview with GMANetwork.com, Caprice went into detail on how she prepared for her role as Jessica. “Pinaghandaan ko po siya, ’yung emotional obligation ko po kung ano ’yung mafi-feel ko kapag ginanto ako ng Daddy ko or ng Mommy ko. Then iisipin ko po siya, paano kung mangyayari sa akin ’to sa totoong buhay? Ano ’yung mafi-feel ko?” she said.

Caprice has earned praises from Kapuso viewers for her compelling performance as Jessica–proving that her passion still burns brightly and she has evolved into a well-rounded artist.

If she were given a chance, Caprice dreams of playing a challenging role in the future–a character that pushes her limits and allows her to grow further in her craft. “‘Miracle In Cell No.7’ po, ’yung batang nagtago doon sa cell ng father niya tapos ’yung father niya may special needs. ’Yun po talaga pinapanood po namin ’yun nina Mommy. At saka ’yung Magnifico, ’yung may kapatid naman siyang may special needs tapos pinapainom niya ng tubig gamit ng water gun. Mga challenging [roles], gusto ko pong ma-challenge rin ’yung sarili ko,” she said with enthusiasm.

Asked what her ultimate goal in career and life is, the young actress has a ready answer. Caprice dreams big and she doesn’t hold back. “Na magkaroon po ako ng billboard, ’yung siguro nasa mga NLEX, SLEX, ’yun po ’yung isa sa dream ko. At saka, maging endorser ng isang skin care brand talaga.”

Caprice always carries with her an important piece of advice that she got from her mother–one that continues to guide her in her showbiz journey.

“Lagi po niyang sinasabi, always be humble at saka mabait,” she said.

As she embraces the new, high-stakes chapter that is Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition 2.0, it will only be a matter of time until the Sparkle actress earns the recognition she is clearly destined for.

It's not a question of if, but when.

Shoot producer: Gabby Reyes Libarios | Makeup artist: Emmanuel Magpantay | Hairstylist: Brent Sales | Stylist: Studio 24c