Heidi, Pirena, Althea, Grazilda, Pirena....
If any of these names rings a bell, chances are, you think about Glaiza De Castro especially if you are a fan of Philippine teleseryes.
From taking minor roles to big roles, the actress has indeed amped up her acting game, leading her to earn her first-ever title role as Grazilda in 2010, the project which she holds dearest to her heart.
Glaiza told GMANetwork.com in an exclusive virtual chat. "Ang galing nga na-mirror niya 'yung journey ko as an actress. No'ng time na 'yun, ang pinanggalingan ay 'Diva,' kasama ko noon si Ate [Regine Velasquez], ako 'yung kalaban niya noong mga panahon na 'yun. I auditioned for 'Grazilda,' 'yung 'Grazilda' kasi story isya ng stepsister ni Cinderella, so parang ang ganda ng timing na pinakita 'yung other side of antagonist kung bakit siya gano'n."
'Grazilda' is a period drama that tells the unheard story of one of Cinderella's evil stepsisters, and how her life changed as she got banished by the Fairy Godmother into the mortal world.
Glaiza went on, "And 'yung first time din na malalim na Tagalog ang ginamit ko for the entire soap. 'Di ba, ang lalalim ng mga salita ni Grazilda? Buong time gano'n siya magsalita, hindi nagbago.
"Tapos no'ng time na 'yun, seven days a week kaming nagtatrabaho kasi may taping, may mga out of town shows, may mga guestings--pero masaya ako dahil do'n ko rin talaga nakita 'yung fruits of my labor."
Prior to 'Grazilda,' Glaiza got her baptism of fire in showbiz when she starred in the 2001 Kapuso drama series 'Ikaw Lamang Ang Mamahalin.'
Fast forward to 2006, Glaiza decided to become a full-fledged Kapuso and her decision has paid off.
She is noted for being an effective kontrabida in such iconic GMA series as 'Stairway To Heaven' (2009), 'Temptation of Wife' (2012) and 'Encantadia' (2016).
While she takes kontrabida roles a notch higher, Glaiza made a buzz for her stellar performance as the main character in the 2015 lesbian-themed series 'The Rich Man's Daughter,' which had been a talk of the town until now; and in the 2018 drama revenge series 'Contessa.'
Right now, Glaiza stars in the TV adaptation of the '80s classic Filipino movie 'Nagbabagang Luha' where she plays Lorna Tolentino's role as Maita.
"Kapuso Network kasi gave me lots of opportunities pagdating sa mga roles at nagpapasalamat ako at hindi ako na-box or na-typecast sa isang role, sa isang image.
“Parang they gave me freedom to express who I really want to be or kung ano 'yung gusto kong gawin pagdating sa mga projects. 'Di nila ko pinipilit, and I think na nag-work na iba-iba 'yung binibigay nila sa 'kin. I think, do'n ako nacha-challenge lagi.”
Take a peek at Glaiza's iconic TV roles that made her a top actress in this gallery:
Glaiza was one of the main characters in the 2003 Philippine adaptation of the South Korean drama 'Stairway To Heaven.' Here, she breathed life into the character of Eunice which launched her as an esteemed character actress. In the series, Eunice made the life of her stepsister, Jodi (Rhian Ramos), miserable as she takes away the latter's childhood friend and love of her life, Cholo (Dingdong Dantes), from her by orchestrating an accident that would separate the two permanently.
'Grazilda' is a 2010 GMA Telebabad series that shows the unheard story of Grazilda (portrayed by Glaiza de Castro), one of Cinderella's evil stepsisters, and how her life changed as she got banished by the Fairy Godmother into the mortal world. According to Glaiza, 'Grazilda' is the kind of story that excites her as it is totally different from hers. "Feeling ko mas na-e-excite ako sa mga gano'ng klaseng story na talagang hindi mo makikita sa normal na araw mo, mas na-e-excite ako sa mga ganong klaseng story [because] this is a different world."
Whether the project is a traditional drama or a period drama, one thing's for sure, Glaiza proved that she is a capable actor. In 2011, she starred in the pioneering historical epic series top billed by Primetime Queen Marian Rivera as the warrior princess Amaya. The story is set in Central Visayas in the 1500s, during the time of Rajah Mangubat's reign. Here, Glaiza played Binayaan, the sister of Amaya and the second daughter of Datu Bugna (Raymond Bagatsing) and Dian Lamitan (Gina Alajar). The name "Binayaan" comes from the word "biya" which means "forsaken" or "abandoned."
From the tragic Binayaan, the actress-singer portrayed a musician who plays for a band in the 2012 drama musical series, 'Biritera.' Glaiza was paired with drama actor Dennis Trillo for the first time for the series that required her musical skills.
When it comes to her kontrabida roles, Glaiza's character in the local adaptation of hit 2008 Koreanovela 'Temptation of Wife' is on top of the list. In the soap opera, Glaiza played Heidi Fernandez, the ruthless best friend of Angeline, played by Marian Rivera. 'Temptation of Wife' follows Angelina who transforms from being the submissive wife to a cunning, feisty, and reformed woman to avenge herself against her husband, Marcel (played by Dennis Trillo), and best friend.
Glaiza took pride in being part of GMA News and Public Affairs's first historical docudrama. 'Katipunan,' that focuses on Andres Bonifacio and his Katipunan, and the conditions then that forced Filipinos to take up arms. In the 10-episode series, the actress played Gregoria de Jesus, opposite Sid Lucero who portrayed Bonifacio.
Who would forget Glaiza's first team-up with her fellow actress, Rhian Ramos, in the first lesbian series in the country, 'The Rich Man's Daughter?' The series remains a classic masterpiece that discusses the intersection of different cultures namely Filipino-Chinese traditions, arranged marriages, coming out in an ultraconservative family deeply embedded in tradition, the search for identity, and the role of women in such familial arrangements. 'The Rich Man's Daughter' follows Jade Tanchingco, played by Rhian, who is the favorite daughter of a wealthy Chinese-Filipino family that owns several businesses. At her brother's wedding, Jade meets the wedding coordinator, Althea Guevarra, played by Glaiza. The two have an immediate attraction and develop a close friendship which turns into a deep relationship. However, this bond threatens Jade's relationship with her traditional, patriarchal family.
Pirena is Glaiza's fiercest character yet. In the world of 'Encantadia,' Pirena is one of the four Sang'gres who guard the gems that hold the power to maintain peace and harmony in the land. As the eldest among the Sang'gres namely Amihan, Alena, and Danaya, Pirena is the keeper of the Gem of Fire. She is passionate and outspoken. The fiery young woman wishes to become the next queen of the diwatas and because of this, the sisters' strong bond is broken when the eldest Sang'gre discovers that she is unlike them. For Glaiza, playing the Pirena paved the way for her to explore and love fantasy more. 'Sobra kong na-enjoy yung 'Encantadia.' Iba 'yung character namin bilang aktor na makita mo 'yung sarili mo na ibang-iba, na masuot 'yung mga costumes na 'yun, na iba 'yung pananalita mo, may mga weapons kang ginamit, tsaka iba ang preparations naming lahat do'n. Sobra akong invested do'n sa character na 'yun," she shared.
'Contessa' tells the story of Bea (Glaiza De Castro), who, after being accused and imprisoned for a crime she did not commit, is determined to seek revenge on those who took everything she loved away from her. Witness her redemption and thirst for justice as she rises from the ground and claims a new identity as Contessa.
Currently, Glaiza graces TV screens via the TV adaptation of 1988 opus, 'Nagbabagang Luha.' Here, she plays the seasoned actress Lorna Tolentino's role as Maita, a loving sister to her own lone sibling Cielo (Claire Castro) who causes her extreme smoldering tears of misery when the latter develops a relationship with Maita's husband, Alex (Rayver Cruz). Remakes, as expected, draw comparisons. When asked if it's a big deal for her to be compared with LT, here's what Glaiza has to say: “I try to see it as a challenge na okay, marami naging followers din 'yung movie but ang message for me is not to be complacent. So, tina-try ko as much as possible na, especially kapag remake, to make my own version of it kasi remake na nga 'yung story, e, so 'di naman necessarily 'yung mga characters, siyempre, nando'n 'yung backbone ng mga characters. Binigay sa 'yo 'yung background ng characters, so siguro bilang actor, ang challenge sa 'kin is to put my own flavor into it.”