Elijah Alejo ✦ Lexi Gonzales ✦ Hailey Mendes
Even if it was their first time to work together on a TV project, Sparkle artists Lexi Gonzales, Elijah Alejo, and Hailey Mendes have developed a real sibling bond that helped them breathe life into their TV characters as the Serrano sisters.
What is it like to portray roles as siblings on television?
For Kapuso actresses Lexi Gonzales, Elijah Alejo, and Hailey Mendes, the relationship among them as on-screen sisters is as natural as it gets.
It was during their workshops under Sparkle GMA Artist Center their bond began to bloom into what they now consider “genuine connections.”
In an exclusive interview with GMANetwork.com, Hailey said, “Noong hindi pa po kami nagte-taping, sa workshops po namin agad na-build ’yung relationship namin. Kinausap namin ’yung isa’t isa–hindi ’yung usap na parang showbiz–usap talaga na ganito ’yung problema ko, nagra-rant ako sa kanila. “Si Ate Celine [Lexi Gonzales] parang literal na ate po namin in real life talaga. Si Chynna [Elijah Alejo] naman makulit and masaya kasama and nagbibigay din sila ng [pieces of] advice sa akin. Talagang magkakapatid kami.”
Lexi then turned to her co-stars and with a laugh and asked, “Paano ba natin ginawa? Kasi nangyari na lang siya, it’s not something that we planned. Nagkasama-sama lang kami, we got along, tapos nag-jive at nag-connect kami.”
Elijah, the youngest of the three, chimed in, “May chemistry din kasi talaga tayo, e. Tulad nga ng sinabi ni Hailey ‘yung workshops nakatulong ‘yon sa bond namin and walang pinagkaiba ‘yung roles namin sa mga ugali namin, so talagang naka-help din talaga ‘yon sa pagiging magkakapatid namin.”
Despite working together for less than a year, Lexi, Elijah, and Hailey have already established a close, strong, and genuine bond as sisters that goes beyond their TV show.
Lexi Gonzales’s story is proof that there’s always a right time for everything.
In 2019, the Kapuso star was among the thousands of young hopefuls who tried their luck in becoming an artist by auditioning for a spot in GMA-7’s reality talent competition StarStruck. At the time, Lexi didn’t expect that she would pass the auditions.
“Honestly, second try ko na ng StarStruck ’yon. Unang try ko ’yung kila Klea [Pineda] and Arra [San Agustin] na season, season six. Hindi ako nakuha kasi bata pa raw ako noon. So pumila ako–parang pang-14,000 akong nasa pila–paikot ng GMA hanggang sa umabot sa gate. Pagdating ko sa gate, hindi ako pinapasok. Tapos sabi sa akin ng Mommy ko, ‘Baka hindi mo pa time.’
“So naghintay ako and then noong nagkaroon ulit ng bagong StarStruck, nag-try ulit ko and thank God nakapasok na ako. Natanggap ako [and] doon ko na-realize na maybe timing lang talaga,” she recalled.
- Lexi Gonzales
After going through a series of weekly artista tests, Lexi emerged as the First Princess in the seventh season of StarStruck, with Shayne Sava winning the title of Ultimate Female Survivor.
Despite falling short in the final stretch of the competition, Lexi has nothing but gratitude because her life had never been the same since the reality-based artista search.
She said, “I felt really grateful and thankful na First Princess ako ng StarStruck [Season 7] kasi hindi ko in-e-expect na makakapasok ako. Also, winning the title First Princess, hindi ko talaga inaasahan. When it happened, I was just really thankful and lahat nagbago right after that. Sunod-sunod ’yung guestings, ’yung shows na natatanggap ko, trabaho. Then nag-start na akong magkaroon ng chance na matulungan talaga ’yung family ko and I really felt that I was doing something for myself and for the people I love. I’m also thankful sa GMA kasi I’m here.”
Since then, the Chinita beauty has appeared in various Kapuso programs including Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, Sa Ilalim ng Buwan, Dear Uge: Ateng Kaputera vs. Jowang Huthutera, One of the Baes, Love You Stranger, and All-Out Sundays.
Being a public figure is no walk in the park as Lexi has had her fair share of struggles and challenges in her showbiz career. She’s just thankful that she had the strength and fortitude to handle everything with grace and soldier on.
“Ang daming naging hindrance, but I really worked hard kasi naniniwala ako na walang pangarap na hindi nakukuha sa pagsisikap,” she said with determination in her eyes.
In 2022, Lexi was able to achieve what she considers her greatest accomplishment in showbiz. She was chosen to be part of the multi-talented cast of the biggest reality game show Running Man Philippines.
“To be able to survive the season one of Running Man [Philippines]. Accomplishment na talagang makasama ko sina Glaiza De Castro, Mikael Daez, Ruru Madrid, Buboy Villar, Kokoy De Santos, Angel Guardian. These are all great actors [and] personalities,” she said.
After being in the industry for three years, Lexi has learned that staying true to one’s self is instrumental to a celebrity’s staying power.
“Kung totoong tao ka, wala ka dapat ipag-alala at lagi ka lang magsabi ng totoo. I think that’s the key kasi hindi mo maloloko ’yung sarili mo and ’yung mga taong nanonood sa’yo. Kaya being true to yourself is the biggest lesson I’ve learned. Dapat ipakita mo kung sino ’yung totoong ikaw.”
Starting her career at a young age, Elijah Alejo continues to thrive as one of the most promising stars of her generation with her superb skills in acting.
“As far as I can remember, four years old pa lang ako nandito na ako sa showbiz. Nagso-show na ako, gumagawa na ako ng shows. And six months or one year old pa lang ako, gumagawa na ako ng TVCs [TV commercials] and si Mama talaga ’yung nagdadala sa akin. Ever since noong nagkaisip ako, talagang mahal ko na ’yung trabaho ko,” she said.
In 2010, the 18-year-old actress began her journey in GMA, appearing in the series Kaya ng Powers with Rufa Mae Quinto, Rhian Ramos, Sheena Halili, Elmo Magalona, and veteran actor Joey Marquez.
Since then, Elijah’s promising career has soared to greater heights as she became part of various top-rating Kapuso shows including My Husband’s Lover, Conan, My Beautician, Ika-6 Na Utos, Super Ma’am, Legally Blind, among many others.
It was 2019 when the Sparkle beauty had her breakthrough role after being cast as Brianna in the hit GMA afternoon drama series Prima Donnas. She considers it her most memorable TV project and one of her biggest achievements as an artist.
“’Yun po ’yung first kontrabida role ko and grabe kasi ’yung mga scenes ko rin doon, e. Hindi siya ’yung usual na anak lang, kapatid lang, young lang. Talagang iba po ’yung pinakita kong range ng acting doon,” she said.
As a child star, Elijah found it challenging to act out her characters without showing her true persona. She managed to pull it off with the help of her loved ones and, of course, her determination to improve.
“Kailangan po talaga na hindi makita si Elijah, kundi ’yung role po na pine-play ko. Kahit bata pa po ako, tine-train ko na rin po talaga ang sarili ko. Nagpapatulong po ako sa Mom ko, sa mga directors na ‘Ano po ba ang gagawin dito? Paano po ba ito?’ Para alam ko rin po kung ano ’yung mga atake na gagawin ko,” she explained.
After being in showbiz for 11 years, Elijah has learned the importance of having empathy and emotional depth when breathing life into the characters that she had to play.
She shared, “As an actress, kahit po hindi mo pinagdadaanan ’yung pinagdadaanan ng character mo, especially if totoong tao talaga ’yung pino-portray mo like sa Magpakailanman, kailangan nandoon ka sa shoes niya para maramdaman mo kahit hindi mo pa pinagdaanan ’yon. And you have to be strong dito sa showbiz kasi ang daming tao na magja-judge sa’yo based sa nakikita lang nila sa TV, sa social media, not because they know you.”
- Elijah Alejo
Born to a Filipina mother and a German father, Hailey Mendes lived a simple life in the municipality of Placer in Masbate.
Ever since she was a child, Hailey’s dream was to become an artist. According to the Filipina-German beauty, she would always watch the performances of Sarah Geronimo as she admired her talents as an actress and performer.
Since she didn't have the connections to become a celebrity back then, Hailey thought of posting photos of herself on social media, in the hopes of becoming viral online. The teen star’s dream of becoming a celebrity finally happened when one of her supporters contacted a talent manager and helped her get into showbiz.
“Sabi niya sa manager ko, ‘Baka pwede niyo po i-help si Hailey kasi parang sobrang determined niya po maging [artista]. Ako naman po talaga sobrang natutuwa po akong mag-perform in front of people talaga lalo na acting, dancing, and singing. Iba po ‘yung feeling kapag may nanonood na ibang tao,” she happily recalled.
In 2017, Hailey became an official Kapuso talent under GMA Artist Center–now known as Sparkle GMA Artist Center– after doing a VTR audition with the network’s talent management arm.
Since then, the talented beauty has portrayed minor roles in such GMA shows as Dear Uge, Love You Two, and TODA One I Love. She was also a part of Descendants of the Sun (The Philippine Adaptation), which she regards as her most memorable television project. In the said show, she portrayed the role of Judith, the younger sister of Captain Lucas Manalo, played by Kapuso Primetime King Dingdong Dantes.
Smiling brightly as she recalled the memory, Hailey shared, “Akala ko ’yung role ko roon talaga is support lang po talaga. Tapos noong sinabi po nila sa akin na, ‘Hailey, magiging kapatid ka ni Sir Dingdong Dantes.’ Sabi ko, ‘Po? Nagjo-joke po ba kayo d’yan? Sir Dingdong Dantes?’ Mas mabigat po ’yung roles so kinailangan kong mag-prepare talaga nang maigi. At that time, ginamit ko lang po lahat ng natutunan ko sa workshop. Kailangan ’yung body mo prepared, kailangan in the moment ka, ’yung presence of mind, tapos kailangan on time ka.”
However, when she was starting out as an actress, Hailey struggled with her confidence. She was able to surpass this challenge by joining various workshops under Sparkle to boost her self-esteem.
“I started with Sparkle when I was 12 years old. Looking back, isa ’yon sa mga reason kung bakit hindi ako siguro nakukuha sa mga auditions kasi nagda-doubt ako sa sarili ko. But I kept on joining Sparkle workshops like language, acting, and dancing workshops. Nakatulong po ito to boost my confidence and tiwala sa sarili. Kaya every time may auditions or taping, alam ko sa sarili ko na kaya ko kasi ready ako because of the trainings na binigay sa akin ng Sparkle,” she said.
- Hailey Mendes
Now in her fifth year as a Kapuso, Hailey has learned many valuable lessons in the entertainment industry, among them, loving herself and her craft as an artist.
“Dapat sigurado ka, determined ka, confident ka, and mahal mo ’yung ginagawa mo. Sobrang love ko talagang mag-perform. Sobrang natutuwa po ako na maraming taong nanonood sa akin at naha-hype ko sila. Masaya po ako na napapasaya ko sila kaya sobrang gaan po sa pakiramdam ng trabaho ko kahit mabigat minsan.”
Fast forward to 2022, Hailey’s biggest milestone came as she’s set to appear as one of the leads in the upcoming GMA Afternoon Prime series Underage, in which she takes on the role of Carrie Serrano.
“Sobrang saya lang po sa cast kasi si Elijah naka-work ko na siya before sa Magikland. So nakabuo na kami ng bond. Si Ate Lexi naman, sobrang dali lang din pong pakisamahan. Parang kaming magkakapatid, natural na lang ’yung pagsasama namin kaya ’yung trabaho namin kahit mabigat ay naitawid namin kasi nagtutulungan kami.”
Lexi, Elijah, and Hailey are set to breathe life into their characters as the Serrano sisters namely Celine, Chynna, and Carrie Serrano in the new GMA Afternoon Prime series Underage. For the older audience, the title of the show may ring a bell as it was based on the hit ’80s film that was top-billed by veteran stars Snooky Serna, Dina Bonnevie, and Maricel Soriano.
GMA's modern version of this coming-of-age series tells the story of how the three Serrano siblings are forced to face adulthood too soon by going through various emotional mishaps with their family, after a malicious video involving the three of them went viral online.
When they learned the news about their respective lead roles, Lexi, Elijah, and Hailey felt grateful and blessed to be given such a huge opportunity as the show aims to teach viewers lessons about the power of social media and love for family.
“I’m beyond grateful sa GMA for giving us this huge project kasi ang ganda. Ilang generation na rin yung gumawa ng Underage and this time it’s a different story. Iba lahat and I think mas maraming makaka-relate ngayon. I’m happy na we’re part of it and I’m really thankful na I’m Celine Serrano,” Lexi said.
On the other hand, Elijah, who will portray the role of Chynna Serrano, shared, “Ako naman blessed kasi we’re given the opportunity to play these iconic roles and to give inspiration sa mga viewers. To give them lessons about social media, the pros and cons, ’yung family na laging nandiyan para sa’yo kahit ano pa ’yung pagsubok na haharapin mo, and syempre ’yung magkakapatid na ito.”
To this day, Hailey still couldn’t believe that she’s part of the series. “Overwhelmed pa rin pero happy kasi bida ako. Kaya nagpapasalamat po ako sa lahat ng pumili sa akin.”
In terms of their preparations, the three young actresses had different yet efficient ways to channel their respective characters.
Taking on the role of Carrie seemed like an easy task for Hailey as they happen to share a similar quality. She said, “Kaunting preparation na lang ang ginagawa ko kasi as Carrie palaban [siya], may gano’ng side [rin] po ako na nilalabas ko lang siya kapag kailangan sa eksena. Mino-motivate ko po ang sarili ko.”
As for Lexi, the eldest among the siblings, Sparkle’s workshops and the whole production team were definitely a big help in her portrayal of Celine, which she considers as her heaviest drama role to date.
“Inaral ko nang mabuti ’yung script, sinulat ko ’yung puwedeng makatulong sa'kin. At the same time, malaking tulong na ang gaan ng loob ko sa mga kasama ko. Lahat sa set ang babait, mga boss namin, staff namin, lahat. Ang laking tulong na ako rin nahahawa ako sa kagandahang loob nila,” she said.
Elijah got candid and disclosed that she had a difficult time adjusting to her character as Chynna due to her past kontrabida roles. “Tatlong taon ko pinlease si Brianna na super kontrabida tapos nag-guesting din ako sa Tadhana, na kontrabida din ’yung role ko, so parang ang bilis ng shift ko from kontrabida to mabait na Chynna. Ang ginagawa ko, lagi ko pinag-aaralan [the character] and kinakausap ko si Direk Rechie Del Carmen kung ano ba sa tingin niya si Chynna.”
After their two-month long lock-in taping, the three on-screen siblings were able to pick up various takeaways from the show and their TV roles.
“The importance of having a family anywhere. Not necessarily ’yung pamilya ko talaga pero kahit saan ka pumunta makaka-build ka ng type of family and friendship na sobrang tindi ’yung pagmamahal na para na kayong tunay na pamilya. Gano’n ’yung Underage family kaya doon ko na-realize na ang saya pala na may pamilya ka kahit saan, sa trabaho o bahay man,” Lexi shared.
As for Elijah, one of the lessons she learned is that no man is an island, a common phrase that means no one is truly self-sufficient. The bubbly actress said, “Kailangan may someone ka when you’re going through something kasi mas gagaan ’yun sa pakiramdam. Important din ’yung bond not only with your co-artists, but also with the staff kasi lahat tayo dito may contribution sa show.”
Lastly, Hailey’s conservative yet fearless character taught her to stand up for what she truly desires. “Natutunan ko po kay Carrie na mas ipaglaban ko ’yung gusto ko, ’yung pangarap ko, ’yung kasiyahan ko as long as wala naman akong tinatapakan na ibang tao.”
The on-screen sibling bond of Lexi, Elijah, and Hailey’s has transcended their television roles.
Being the eldest of the bunch–both on the show and in real life– Lexi feels honored to work with Elijah and Hailey. “It was a great two months [of lock-in taping] kasi hindi ko in-expect that it would be that easy. It’s also my first show na I’m part of the main cast. Everything was so smooth. Elijah and Hailey were so easy to work with. We were like really sisters sa set and even without taping,” she said.
Hailey echoed the same sentiments, saying that the three of them have developed a real connection, where genuine love and care can be felt amongst each other.
“Sobrang magaan na po ’yung loob ko kay Elijah at Ate Lexi. Talagang noong una kong na-meet si Ate Lexi sa workshop, parang ‘ate figure’ talaga siya. Bibigyan ka niya ng advice kung ano’ng puwedeng gawin, mas magandang gawin. Kumbaga concerned siya sa growth mo.
“Si Eli naman, baby ko na siya before pa sa Magikland. Pareho kaming makulit sa set. Kapag break namin, wala kaming ibang ginagawa kung hindi nagsa-soundtrip o nagja-jam kami. Normal na lang ‘yung trabaho namin. Kumbaga natural kasi ‘yung nararamdaman namin sa isa’t isa, genuine ‘yung relationship namin.”
After knowing one another on a deeper level, they can now proudly say that they would always have each other’s backs, whatever the circumstances that they would find themselves in.
“‘Kapag may problems kasi sasabihin namin sa isa’t isa and si Lexi talaga ’yung kumbaga ate namin at si Hailey bine-baby ako, talagang bunsong-bunso ako sa aming tatlo, and nagba-bonding kami. Sa set, ’yung bonding namin is pagbabasa ng scripts together, and pagsasabihan namin ’yung isa’t isa kung ano ’yung magandang atake. Parang kaming magkakapatid talagang tatlo kasi nakatulong ’yung lock-in sa bond namin na araw-araw kaming nagkikita at nagku-kuwentuhan. Everyday, we learn something new about each other,” Elijah explained.
Indeed, family isn’t always about flesh and blood, but a matter of care, love, and support. And this is what Lexi, Elijah, and Hailey promise to cherish and protect in the years to come.
- Lexi Gonzales
Managing Editor: Gabby Libarios | Content Producers: Dianne Mariano & Aimee Anoc | Digital Staff Assistant: Andrea Gadaza | Stylists: Dodley Gallardo (Lexi) and Jingx Cruz (for Elijah and Hailey) | Makeup: Alvin Dave Quiambao (Lexi), Manuel N. Alub III (Elijah) and Japeth Purog (Hailey) | Hairstylist: Nelbert T. Seboy (Lexi and Hailey) and Manuel N. Alub III (Elijah) | Special thanks to Euna Lodripas and Ysabela de Claro
