Playing Cinderella

Dramarama sa Hapon’s "My Only Love" is the newest addition to GMA’s afternoon family. Rhian Ramos is one of its freshest faces, especially since it's her first time to venture into a new time slot. Is she ready to shed her high society characters on primetime and move into an underdog's role? Text by Alula Love M. Dela Cruz. Photos by Xylen Geecel D. Alamo. Nothing makes the Pinoy T.V. viewer cry like a Cinderella story, where the bad step sisters and mother-in-law consistently inflict pain on our favorite princess. This is what Rhian’s role in My Only Love is all about -- the naïve and tomboyish Cindy Moreno. “My character kasi is very siga then inaapi talaga. In my other characters naman they had their fair shares of trials; hindi yung sadya silang inaapi.” The character Cindy was originally played by the Megastar herself: Sharon Cuneta. My Only Love is the T.V. remake of the movie with the same title which highlighted the Sharon-Gabby (Concepcion) love team during the eighties. Despite the prestige the role encompasses, Rhian admits that she feels pressured rather than flattered, “Surprisingly everyone thinks na it’s flattering [but for me] there’s like pressure coming from all sides of this project! There’s an expectation na you have to do well if you’re gonna be makapal enough to do a revival.” Aside from this adversity, there are two other things that keep Rhian on her toes. First is the ratings. “The show that we’re replacing [had] very high ratings, kaya if we go lower than that parang nakakahiya naman.” The second one is moving on from being Richard Gutierrez’s leading lady. “In this project it’s my first time to be teamed up with another guy so I better do well, because people will think I can’t do better with anyone else.” The underdog Like Cinderella herself, Rhian has a lot of hurdles to overcome, one of which is acting the part of Cindy. Though the character is very boyish, its persona is weak and naïve. This will be Rhian's first time to play a weakling. “With Cindy, parang ‘Ok I’m sorry I’m wrong,’ parang lagi na lang siyang mali. If she feels threatened she will submit.” Rhian even feels sorry for her own character, and at times uses this personal emotion to become Cindy herself. “I’m [naaawa] with myself because of the way she’s allowing people to treat her. That’s where I take it -- I cry from self-pity; parang 'Man! I really am kawawa.'" Aside from realizing her character’s flaw, Rhian also seeks the advice of her director and writers. “I get a lot of help from directors. In the script pa lang, they give you a lot of tips already and very gradually, they put you into that.” Even her cast members provide her with the emotions necessary to portray her character effectively, “I’m very blessed that this cast, they’re such good actors and actresses. Like when they throw you an emotion, you can feel it and it’s like you’re not acting on your own.” This was tested during a scene she had with Mark Herras, who plays Billy, Cindy’s only love. “[During] our first scene together, I felt my character getting ‘kilig;' you know what I mean, its like, 'Hey, I do feel us.'” So is there a possibility that her team-up with Mark will be successful? Rhian is optimistic with the idea. “It’s an interesting chemistry, cause even with our looks, physically pa lang there’s a contrast and our characters are playful with each other so its fun to watch.” Rhian Ramos may be Dramarama’s new Cinderella, and with a new leading man such as Mark Herras as her Prince Charming, My Only Love is a certified hit in the making. So be sure to catch her as the naïve Cindy on My Only Love, daily on GMA’s Dramarama sa Hapon! Read more on Rhian in this special My Only Love related article: My Only Love the Second Time Around View how stylish Rhian is in this special photo gallery all about her! Also, take a peek behind what went on during the show’s press conference! Feel the fun with Rhian! Text RHIAN and send to 4627 for Globe, TM, Sun, Smart and Talk ‘N Text. Each Fanatxt message costs P2.50 for GLOBE, SMART and TALK N TEXT, and P2.00 for SUN subscribers. Talk about Rhian in her official thread!