CARLA ABELLANA:

Captivating as Ever

Carla Abellana opens up about her challenging start in showbiz, the expectations and pressures that came with being the ‘bida,’ and the many great reasons why she doesn’t want to leave the business just yet.

TEXT BY MAINE C. AQUINO
PHOTOS COURTESY OF STOLEN LIFE

Carla Abellana has become a well-known figure as a charming and charismatic leading lady who has won the hearts of many. After working in the entertainment industry for 15 years, Carla is now walking in uncharted territories. She’s keen on taking on roles that will constantly test her limits as an actress.

Carla became a prominent figure in the entertainment industry because of her good acting skills and her captivating beauty. Recently, she played a bida and kontrabida in GMA Afternoon Prime's Stolen Life as Lucy and Farrah. Her switching of roles due to Lucy and Farrah’s switching of souls solidified that Carla is a versatile actress who could make her audience love and hate her for her character. After getting her taste of an out-of-the-box persona for Stolen Life, Carla has become more eager than ever to portray off-beat roles in her future projects.

GMANetwork.com was able to speak with Carla Abellana, where she shared some insights about her journey in the showbiz industry and her road to self-discovery. During the conversation, Carla revealed how she developed as an actress over time, and also spoke about her future plans following the renewal of her contract with GMA Network.

Carla admitted that several days before the contract renewal, she experienced some sort of anxiousness over the future of her career. Her unease ended when she finally signed her contract with the network in the presence of GMA Network Chairman Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, GMA Network President and Chief Executive Officer Gilberto R. Duavit Jr., GMA Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Felipe S. Yalong, GMA Network Senior Vice President for Entertainment Group Lilybeth G. Rasonable, and APT Entertainment CEO and President Director Michael Tuviera, the man managing Carla’s showbiz career.

She revealed, “Makakahinga na po ako nang maluluwag. Makakatulog na po ako nang mahimbing kasi at least hindi na po ako kailangang mag-isip or mag-worry para sa kumbaga sa next steps or next chapter ng aking career. So, of course, to say that I am grateful is an understatement. Aaminin ko na kinabahan din po ako and napaisip talaga nang mabuti. But at least, ito na nga, wala na pong mas assuring pa than today na renewal.”

Aside from the special event that was prepared for her contract renewal. Carla was also officially named the “Primetime Goddess” of GMA Network.

Carla seemed happy, but also reserved as she had no idea where the moniker came from. It is undeniable that Carla’s title is well suited for she is a celebrated actress in the primetime block and blessed with the features of a TV goddess.

“Parang hanggang ngayon po ay nakakapanibago pa rin siya sa akin. Parang I still question kung saan po nanggaling, paano na-determine, sino po ba ang nag-decide noon or nakaisip noon? Kasi, ang laki nung title, Kapuso Primetime Goddess. Bakit goddess? Parang I never saw myself as a goddess or what, but of course, with that big title comes a ganoong image, 'di ba?”

Carla openly acknowledged that the title she holds will be accompanied by the weight of maintaining a certain image. The Primetime Goddess also needs to face the high expectations associated with her upcoming projects.

“Ang laking responsibility at image na kailangan Kapuso Primetime Goddess ka. There's a bit of pressure, but of course, it's very flattering to be given or to be called a Kapuso Primetime Goddess.”

"’Yung unang project ko as a Kapuso, that was in 2009 when I did Rosalinda. Wala naman akong background sa pag-arte sa isang TV network. Napakabigat po 'yung role kaagad as Rosalinda. Para talaga siyang baptism of fire..."

Before she earned her current status in the industry, Carla experienced her fair share of struggles while navigating show business. Despite not having a background in acting, she was offered the lead role in the Philippine adaptation of the Mexican telenovela, Rosalinda, in 2009.

Carla reminisced about her first performance and described it as the most challenging part of her acting career. As a newly launched star who landed a leading role, she had no choice but to immediately prove her acting abilities to her peers, to the network bosses, and to the viewers.

“’Yung unang project ko as a Kapuso, that was in 2009 when I did Rosalinda. Wala naman akong background sa pag-arte sa isang TV network. Napakabigat po 'yung role kaagad as Rosalinda. Para talaga siyang baptism of fire. First time kong umarte, puro luha, talagang heavy drama. Working in such a setting na maraming nakapaligid, nanonood sa’yo, you follow scripts, mataas ang expectations sa’yo ng mga kasama mo. Writers, directors, at buong network and even the viewers. Lahat talaga, first time ko natutunan.”

Working as a rookie on a big TV network, Carla found the experience the “most difficult” part of her journey. “Lahat para sa akin firsts, firsts lahat ’yun. And talagang testing the waters. Definitely the most difficult and most challenging because nga dahil ‘yun nga ang first project.”

Over time, Carla learned many things, including the value of hard work and humility. With her talent and passion, Carla landed roles in remarkable Kapuso series like My Husband’s Lover, Because of You, Love of My Life, and To Have and to Hold.

Carla recalled, “I would say I've lived the most difficult, the most challenging, most fun, and most life-changing doon sa 15 years ko not just as a Kapuso but as an actress. Parang I only remember so much of my life bago mag-show-business. Talagang the bulk of my life ay talagang dito na sa industriyang ito, sa trabahong ito, sa career na ito. Lahat ng paghihirap, lahat ng sakripisyo, lahat ng pagtitiis, test of patience, natuto ng marami, nag-grow, and naging mas humble at parang living the best life.”

After all the hard work and sacrifices, there came contentment. Earning the recognition and approval from those who have faith in her talent was a good enough reason for Carla to keep on going.

“Fulfilling kapag nagampanan nang mabuti ’yung role mo. ’Pag natuwa ’yung direktor, ’yung writers, and of course, ’yung management sa’yo kasi ’yun ’yung pinaka-fulfilling for every actor. ’Pag alam mong hindi sila nabigo, hindi sila na-disappoint sa’yo and they made the right decision in considering you, in choosing you for that role or for that project. Sa bawat project na dumaan, bawat role na nagampanan, ’pag napanindigan mo ’yun, ’yun na ’yung parang final grade mo na hindi ka lang pumasa, but you have high grades and everybody is happy.”

Now that Carla has established herself as a bankable actress, she is immensely grateful for the continuous outpouring of projects coming her way. Her recent pursuits included Voltes V: Legacy as Dr. Mary Ann Armstrong, followed by Stolen Life where Carla played dual challenging roles of Lucy and Farrah in GMA Afternoon Prime block. Carla will soon be portraying a new role in GMA Network in the show Widows War, opposite another acting powerhouse: Bea Alonzo.

Carla has nothing but gratitude for all the people who continuously put their faith in her acting abilities. Amid the pressure she faces, Carla acknowledges that it’s a blessing to be entrusted with one project after another, especially in an often fickle industry where there’s always a fresh face being launched.

“Parang kilig kasi siyempre sa mga artista naman po talagang dumadating ’yung time na naghihintay po kami kung ano ang next projects, ano ang next role. So ito at least wow ito dikit na dikit. Habang nag-i-air pa ’yung isa, may next in line na so nakaka-pressure but then it’s in a way reassuring na okay I am doing the right thing, I am doing a good job naman na naisip nila ako agad na maging parte ng panibagong project right away.”

"Napakahirap naman talaga maging kontrabida. It takes a lot of energy, a lot of effort talaga. Minsan kahit 'yung 100 percent mo na ay kulang pa rin kasi ang lambing mo pa rin, parang ganoon. But then, learning experience siya."

The recent good reviews about Carla’s performance as Lucy and Farrah in Stolen Life completely reaffirmed that she is a gem in the industry. Her portrayal of the two characters who exchanged souls due to love and jealousy was praised by many, and it’s a testament to Carla’s acting range. Carla played the roles of both the protagonist and antagonist in the TV series, but it was her portrayal of Farrah - kontrabida - that garnered her the most attention and admiration from viewers worldwide.

Playing such a unique character was a new experience for Carla. In fact, she was in disbelief when she started receiving hate comments from netizens. With a smile, she said, “Positive feedback pala ’yung ’pag naiinis sila sa’yo or napipikon sila sa’yo. I guess para sa akin nakakapanibago po 'yun kasi hindi naman po ako sanay na makatanggap ng ganoong feedback or ganoong comment na, 'Gigil na gigil na kami sa'yo, inis na inis na kami sa’yo.' But then of course, they would always say na that means na tama ’yung ginawa mo. Effective ’yung pag-arte mo. Okay, ’yun are complements para sa amin and definitely ngayon ko masasabi na buti na lang tama naman ’yung ginawa kong trabaho and happy sila in general.”

Carla, who is new to playing an antagonist, admitted that while the role was challenging, it gave her the freedom to work on something that allowed her to come out of her shell.

“Hindi po ako nag-enjoy sa pagganap bilang kontrabida dahil napakahirap po niya. Actually, kahit naman hindi kontrabida mahirap, so I wouldn’t say na na-enjoy ko ’yung pagiging kontrabida pero siguro parang it gave me freedom, parang ganoon. I guess there’s of course, enjoyment na rin doon sa pagkakaroon ng ganoong freedom ’di ba? Kasi new character, new attack, very different from what I am used to or the usual roles that I play. Hindi ko siya na-enjoy dahil napakahirap naman talaga maging kontrabida. It takes a lot of energy, a lot of effort talaga. Minsan kahit 'yung 100 percent mo na ay kulang pa rin kasi ang lambing mo pa rin parang ganoon. But then, learning experience siya, and yung sense of freedom doon ko siya na-feel for the first time.”

After her stellar bida and kontrabida performance in Stolen Life, Carla wants to expand her acting range even further by taking on more complex characters in TV and movies. She is excited to explore new and unique roles, especially in the horror and thriller genres.

“I am a fan of horror films, horror, mga murder-mystery, thrillers, suspense genres, so tamang-tama 'yung pasok ng 'Widows War.' But it would be nice sana, isa sa mga dream roles ko pa, ’yung may pagka-psychological thriller na talagang let's say very dark yung character, wala sa hitsura niya na kaya niyang gumawa ng masasama or capable siyang gumawa ng masasama. Puwedeng serial killer parang ganoon. Something na hindi expected doon sa taong ’yun, pero ’yun ’yung ginagawa niya. May psychological twist na darkness na konti.”

"Sa bawat project na dumaan, bawat role na nagampanan, ’pag napanindigan mo ’yun, ’yun na ’yung parang final grade mo na hindi ka lang pumasa, but you have high grades and everybody is happy."

Asked about the actors she would love to work with in a dream project, she instantly named one of her former leading men and then another actor with whom she has never worked before. “Dennis Trillo! Kahit naka-work ko na si Dennis Trillo many times parang maganda siya sa ganoong klaseng project. Piolo Pascual I would always say gusto ko makatrabaho si Piolo Pascual, and any other artists or celebrities na hindi ko pa nakaka-work.”

After 15 years of working as an actress in the entertainment industry, Carla is setting her sights on new goals — not necessarily bigger, but something enriching and will make her feel more fulfilled.

“Kasi diyan tayo naggo-grow as an artist. Of course, there comes a time sa trabaho at buhay ng isang artista na naghahanap siya ng iba, gusto niyang matuto. Kailangan open-minded ka. Kailangan open ka sa mga panibagong roles or different roles from the ones you portray. Kasi doon mo mas nade-develop pa 'yung mga talents mo, mga skills mo, and parang may nadi-discover ka pa about yourself and your capabilities.”

Carla is grateful for many things. What she yearns to achieve in this industry is longevity. “I feel like I have been given such wonderful opportunities already. I’ve grown so much already in terms of mga plans or what. Mga wishes, wala na gaanong ganon e. Kumbaga, I always say naman na whatever comes, whatever they entrust to me, okay ako doon. Hindi naman ako very picky or what. But more than anything, it is hoping I last in the industry. na mas magtagal pa ang career ko. Madagdagan pa ng another 15 years. So more of that talaga e. Not just staying long in the industry but 'yung pagiging relevant mo pa rin ng ganoon katagal.”

What is she looking forward to as an actress in the next 15 years? Carla kept her answer simple and honest, “By that time, lola roles na po ako nun. Walang problema. Actually, I look forward to exploring ganyang roles. Of course, we will get to that eventually. Excited ako to see the up and coming stars kung sino sila, kung sino ang makakatrabaho ko. Looking forward ako sa bagong artists.”

Carla is not exactly sure what the future holds, but she’s certain that self-growth, happiness, and contentment will be part of it. “Hopefully, more movies in the next 15 years, sana hindi lang sa pag-arte, pero pati na rin sa let's say pag-host, whether game show, variety show, or what. Looking forward din ako to having more of that in the next 15 or 20 years. Who knows, hindi natin alam kung ano ang mangyayari but I leave it all up to God na.”

"Kailangan open ka sa mga panibagong roles or different roles from the ones you portray. Kasi doon mo mas nade-develop pa 'yung mga talents mo, mga skills mo, and parang may nadi-discover ka pa about yourself and your capabilities.”

CARLA ABELLANA:

Captivating as Ever

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Carla Abellana: Captivating As Ever