Around GMA

Article Inside Page

Her stint as a fast food commercial model led her straight into primetime television as the love interest of Pinoy superhero Captain Barbell. Soon, she became the new “It” girl. Find out more about one of showbiz’s newest sweethearts as she talks about her family and plans for the future in the concluding part of this exclusive story. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Family, future matters Fashion aside, Rhian puts a lot of importance on her family. In fact, she considers her 18-year-old sis Nadine as one of her closest pals. “(We got over the) whole fighting over the remote stage very quickly…Right now, we click talaga…She’s like my best friend.” However, they don’t have as much bonding time as possible due to their hectic schedules and since Nadine moved out of their house for college. Nadine is currently enrolled at the Center for Culinary Arts (CCA) along Katipunan Avenue in Quezon City and Rhian is often at work, sometimes even on weekends. “I miss her all the time, because I’m always at work, I only see her on weekends, (and) sometimes, I skip pa the weekends because I’m always at work!” Since Rhian’s dad is based in Thailand, she has been staying with her mom. But despite being hundreds of miles away from her dad, she says that they still get to talk a lot. “He calls me up really often, and every break time at work, every lunch time, he turns on his computer and searches for my name! He ‘Googles’ and ‘Yahoo’s’ me! And he ‘Pinoy Exchanges’ me! And he’d like, join the fan clubs! ‘Yung parang he’ll just see what’s going on!” Although it’s quite early for this high school junior to finalize what career path she plans to take, Rhian already has a few ideas up her sleeve. “I really wanna take up photography, because it’s so cool! You have the ability talaga to (experiment) with the angles. You have the ability talaga to make a person look good or bad. And then, to capture the beauty…you know, the moment…I want (that).” She shares that she couldn’t quite picture herself in a desk job because she likes to keep busy and to always be on her feet. “(I want a job where) I’m always buzzing, going somewhere, thinking of new ideas, being creative; any kind of design - production design, (interior design), clothing, whatever!” Rhian is currently home schooled and is set on taking a creative course when she gets into college. “Something that isn’t accounting, something that is not business management,” she stresses with a laugh. Down-to-earth, hyper, goofy, and real – that’s what makes Rhian stand out from the sea of young stars today. She’s someone who knows what she wants and who doesn’t have any qualms about letting her true personality shine. Watch out for Rhian’s next move through Fanatxt! Text RHIAN (your message) and send to 4627.