LIEZEL LOPEZ
Fierce Fearless Female
Liezel Lopez opens up about her humble beginnings, the challenges that come with being a “kontrabida” onscreen, and her drive to continue on with her blooming career.
| Shot on location at Solaire Resort Entertainment City
Liezel Lopez has cemented herself as one of GMA Network’s most promising talents with her acting prowess, especially when it comes to breathing life into kontrabida roles. Through the years, the Sparkle star has portrayed various TV characters and continues to hone her skills to show her versatility as an actress.
JOURNEY TO STARDOM
Liezel Lopez’s career in the Kapuso network began when she joined the sixth season of the reality-based artista search StarStruck in 2015. Prior to entering the said competition, the 26-year-old didn’t have any idea what show business would be all about, but one thing was for sure: she wanted to pursue acting.
“Before ako mag-audition ng StarStruck, wala talaga akong alam sa show business. Basta gusto ko lang talaga umarte. As in ’yun lang talaga ’yung drive ko, ’yung passion ko in acting. Pero noong nakapasok naman na ako sa show business, noong una medyo mahirap mag-adjust pero so far sobrang babait naman po ng lahat ng nakasama ko rito sa GMA, especially po ang Sparkle [GMA Artist Center]. Grabe po sila mag-alaga sa aming mga talent nila and I am lucky na I’m here,” she said.
Looking back on her past, Liezel admitted that she has long been a fan of teleseryes and that she grew up watching various iconic Kapuso programs and idolized the personalities behind the shows.
“’Yung mga classic po talaga na teleseryes before. Marimar, Mulawin, Super Twins ‘yan, kinalakihan ko po ‘yan. Encantadia. Diyos ko, naglalaro pa po kami ng mga kaklase ko before, ‘O, ikaw si Amihan, ako si Alena.’ Mga classic po talaga na teleserye, ’yung mga bida po diyan sobrang idol ko po talaga. So kapag nakikita ko sila ngayon, nasa-starstruck pa rin ako,” she recounted.
According to Liezel, she had also experienced the hardships of life in the province before entering show business. So tough was her life back then that it came to a point where she, her grandmother, and two siblings had no access to basic necessities. Despite these struggles, Liezel was determined to make a better life for herself and for her family.
“Before ako mag-artista, sa Olongapo kami nakatira and sobrang hirap talaga ng buhay namin doon. Lumaki ako kasama ng lola ako and my two brothers at sobrang hirap talaga. To the point na wala kaming ilaw, wala kaming tubig. Tapos wala, as in, wala talaga. Kaya sabi ko, ‘I have to do something with my life. Hindi pwedeng makuntento rito ako sa life na ’to.’ I want to build my future so I can help my brothers also, I can help my family. And then, ayun na, nag-start akong mag-audition sa StarStruck and I was lucky na nakapasok ako sa Top 14. And then after no’n, nagtuloy-tuloy na po ‘yung karera ko sa showbiz. Kaya natulungan ko talaga sila. Ngayon ‘yung brothers ko, sa akin na nakatira and nakabili na rin po ako ng bahay namin, at guminhawa ‘yung life namin. In fairness naman, sobrang thankful ako ro'n.”
Liezel may have fallen short in her bid to win the ultimate prize in StarStruck Season 6, ending her journey in the “StarStruck Battle To Six,” but little did she know that her dream of becoming an actress was far from over.
After joining the reality talent competition, Liezel signed a contract with GMA Artist Center (now called Sparkle) and began to show her acting chops through the various programs of the Kapuso network. Since then, Liezel’s life has never been the same again.
“Noong StarStruck days namin, after ko matanggal, I was really sad kasi akala ko over na ’yung pag-aartista ko. I mean, wala na, tapos na ’yung dream ko, ganyan. Parang I have to go back sa Olongapo and do something else kasi nga natanggal na ako. Pero I was so lucky kasi pinapirma ako ng Sparkle ng contract sa kanila. So ayun, noong nag-start na akong mag-Bubble Gang, binigyan nila ako ng mga roles after hanggang sa nagdire-diretso na. Nabago niya talaga ’yung life ko. Not only me, but also my family. Natulungan ko sila because of that and I am forever grateful doon sa journey na ‘yon,” she said.
Since then, the Sparkle beauty has appeared in numerous GMA programs, including Tsuperhero (2016), My Korean Jagiya (2017), The Stepdaughters (2018), Onanay (2018), Kara Mia (2019), Babawiin Ko Ang Lahat (2021), and Return To Paradise (2022), among others.
It was in 2023 Liezel got her biggest break in showbiz as she became a part of the cast of Voltes V: Legacy, the live-action adaptation of the popular Japanese ’70s anime. In the much talked-about series, the StarStruck alumna played the role of Zandra, one of the main antagonists.
“Grabe hanggang ngayon napapanood pa rin siya and I think hindi lang ngayon baka hanggang tumanda kami mapapanood siya ng mga bata. At hopefully, magustuhan nila ’yung ginawa namin and kung sakaling ipalabas man siya sa ibang bansa, nakaka-excite rin na at least naging part ako non at naging stepping stone siya sa akin sa show business. And also, kaming mga cast, iba talaga ‘yung bond na nabuo namin sa set na ’yon,” she recalled.
For Liezel, portraying a villainous character on television is a challenging task as it requires a lot of internalization. Aside from Zandra in Voltes V: Legacy and Shaira in Asawa Ng Asawa Ko, the morena beauty’s other kontrabida roles on TV include Ellie Garcia in Kara Mia (2019), Trina Espejo in Babawiin Ko Ang Lahat (2021), and Sabina in Return To Paradise (2022).
“Kung makikita n’yo po ‘yung mga gumaganap pong bida, ang hirap pong magalit sa kanila. Lahat sila mababait. Noong unang beses akong binigyan ng kontrabida role, nahirapan talaga ako kasi sabi ko, ‘paano ba ako magagalit sa artista namin na ito? Diyos ko, ang hirap magalit sa kanya.’ Kung papanoorin mo nga kasi ’yung mga roles na gano’n, iisipin mo talaga mali siya pero kung ikaw ’yung actor na gumaganap doon sa role, hindi mo dapat iisipin na mali ako. Kailangan tama ako, tama 'tong character na ’to [at] ’yung pinaglalaban ko, para at least kung mapapanood ng tao, talagang may fire kumbaga doon sa kontrabida na hindi niya rin hahayaan na mananalo ’yung bida kaya maganda siyang panoorin,” she explained.
In contrast to her fierce looks, Liezel also knows how to tickle the funny bones of Kapuso viewers as she was a part of the longest-running comedy gag show in the country, Bubble Gang. Asked which she finds more challenging between playing a kontrabida character or doing comedy, Liezel chose the latter because it entails proper timing and delivery. “Mas mahirap gawin ’yung comedy kasi ‘yung timing, kailangan on-point, and also ‘yung banter ng isa’t isa kailangan mas natural, kailangan madali kang mag-isip ng jokes, and also hindi ka rin dapat mapipikon. Mas mahirap talaga siyang gawin kaysa sa kontrabida kasi ‘yung mga kontrabida parang mang-iinis ka ganyan,” she revealed.
Liezel’s ability to make people both love and hate her onscreen simply shows her versatility as an artist. In fact, being an antagonist with a knack for comedy helps further widen her acting prowess. “Natutulungan niya ako as an actor na lumawak ’yung range ko sa acting. Grateful ako roon sa dalawa and hopefully marami pa po akong mga different role na matanggap soon,” she said.
BEHIND THE CAMERAS
When she’s not plotting an evil scheme or making people laugh with her comedic skills on TV, one would wonder: Who is Liezel Lopez behind the cameras? The 26-year-old stunner gave a candid and straightforward answer: “Kalog,” she replied, breaking into a laugh. “Makulit… I want to believe na I’m a good sister sa mga kapatid ko. Mama ako ng mga fur babies ko. Madami, madami pa, actually. Kaya nga natutuwa ako kapag nami-meet ko ’yung fans kasi natatakot silang lumapit sa akin kasi akala raw nila parang maldita raw ako. Pero kapag nakakuwentuhan ko naman sila, ayun at least nakikilala rin nila ako paunti-unti.”
Just like any artist, Liezel’s line of work requires her to exert a lot of time and effort to get into her characters, execute her scenes, and deliver every emotion seamlessly. But despite her hectic schedule, she knows how to take a pause and make time for herself.
“Kapag rest day po namin, talagang naglalaan ako ng time for myself. Kailangan babawi ako sa sarili ko kasi siyempre ’yung katawan ko ’yung instrument ko sa pagtatrabaho. So kailangan talaga bumawi ka, magpahinga ka. Kumbaga gawin mo ’yung mga gusto mong gawin. And also, sometimes, nag-a-unwind din ako para quiet lang. Kumbaga quiet lang ‘yung little world ko kapag tapos na ang trabaho.”
When it comes to her family, Liezel only wants them to live their best lives. “I want them to have a peace of mind and also sana okay lang sila at sana healthy sila at huwag magkaroon ng kahit ano’ng sakit,” she said.
KEEP ON DREAMING
As an actress, Liezel describes herself as a “sponge” that continues to absorb every learning that she gets from her experiences on set as well as from the people she works with.
“I believe na hindi ka dapat talaga mag-aral dito sa pagiging artista. Kailangan makakakuha ka ng lessons doon sa mga experiences mo, sa taping, sa character, sa mga director, sa mga nakakatrabaho, everything.”
Unbeknown to most people that at one point in Liezel’s life, the thought of leaving the industry crossed her mind, especially because of the abrasive comments she would read online. Good thing she didn’t give in, as she soon realized that what mattered more was what she truly feels about herself.
“Noong mga times na parang sumusobra ’yung bashing sa akin kasi that time I didn’t know myself pa. Kung ano ’yung sinasabi nila sa akin parang naniniwala ako. Pero noong tumatagal tagal na, nare-realize ko na parang, hindi naman totoo ’yung sinasabi nila e, mas kilala ko naman ’yung sarili ko. Ayun, mas nag-improve ’yung mental health ko and also, na-realize ko rin na some people will really judge you kasi hindi ka talaga nila kilala. What matters is kung ano ’yung tingin mo sa sarili mo kasi I believe na mas kilala mo ’yung sarili mo kaysa ibang tao.”
As she continues to navigate the world of show business, Liezel is determined to reach greater heights and explore as many roles and genres as she possibly can. “Mas gusto ko pang mas maraming roles na ma-try and also genres din. Gusto ko rin magka-movie. Isa ’yan sa dream ko ngayon. So hopefully sa future, malay natin,” she said.
In March, Liezel achieved another milestone in her blooming career as she was announced as part of the fierce and fabulous Sparkle 10, alongside Faith Da Silva, Rabiya Mateo, Ashley Ortega, Lianne Valentin, Shuvee Etrata, Lexi Gonzales, Angel Guardian, Kate Valdez, and Elle Villanueva.
Liezel has nothing but gratitude to her home network and Sparkle GMA Artist Center for giving her the opportunity to be part of the group of talented and empowered women. “Happy ako kasi karamihan po sa amin ay mga kaibigan ko na talaga. Happy din ako na nabigyan ako ng privilege ng GMA na makasama sa sobrang gaganda, tatalino, very talented na mga babae dito sa GMA, at grateful po talaga ako sa mga blessings na binibigay nila.”
Now that she’s set to go above and beyond this year, Liezel wishes to go out of her comfort zone and experience new things, both in her personal and professional life. “Sa life ko, I want to travel more. Gusto ko rin matutunan din ’yung ibang culture, maka-try ng ibang food, ang dami mo rin talaga natutunan sa travelling talaga. Sa career ko, I want to do more workshops pa talaga. Gusto kong mas lumawak pa ’yung range ko sa pagiging actress. Gusto ko rin mag-try ng ibang workshops like singing, dancing maybe, or hosting.”
Liezel also expressed her sincerest gratitude for Sparkle Senior Talent Manager Daryl Dan Zamora, for believing in her potential as an artist, and for shaping her into the woman she is today. “Siya talaga nakakita sa akin from the start. As in, pumupunta ako sa office noong StarStruck [days], nakapantalon pa ako, naka-T-shirt, ganyan. Tapos alam niya rin ’yung mga problems ko and everything. But still, nagtiwala pa rin siya sa akin and grabe pa rin sila [Sparkle GMA Artist Center] mag-alaga sa akin. Gusto ko magsabi ng thank you sa kanila kasi minold nila ako kung sino ako ngayon at sila rin talaga yung nag-alaga talaga sa akin.”
Shoot producer: Gabby Reyes Libarios | Art Director: Alvin Lacabra | Stylist: Paris Roxas | Makeup: Angeline Tan | Hairstylist: Dominic Mangat | Shoot assistant: Andrea Gadaza and Aaron Brennt Eusebio | Special thanks to Alexei Vilarraza of Bridges PR and Joy Wassmer of Solaire Resort Entertainment City
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LIEZEL LOPEZ :Fierce Fearless Female
Published :June 10, 2024 04:22 PM PHTLiezel Lopez opens up about her humble beginnings, the challenges that come with being a “kontrabida” onscreen, and her drive to continue on with her blooming career.
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