The other best friend

Chariz Solomon of StarStruck 4 may have had a hard-time during her StarStruck days, but this girl is reaping the rewards of her talent. She stars as the other best friend, in GMA films valentine offering for 2008. Is Chariz ready for the big screen? Chariz plays the other best friend in this year’s hottest valentines’ flick My Best friends Girlfriend which stars the country’s newest love team, Richard Gutierrez and Marian Rivera. “Ako si Chiqui , ako po yung best friend ni Marian, ako yung best friend niya na kikay-kikay, ma-raket parang raketera parati,” Chariz describes her character in the movie. Chiqui’s unique qualities are not far from Chariz’s own personality, “Ganoon talaga ako, hindi pa ako nag showbiz, ma-raket talaga ako. Mga modelling-modelling, print-ads ganoon. Pero hindi naman ako sasayaw sa Stag party, ” jokes Chariz. Starring with the country’s hottest stars is truly flattering and Chariz considers this project as a blessing that she has been waiting for. With that in mind, the young star gives everything she can specially in terms of work ethics. “Sobrang saya [at] flattered kasi kung baga sa batch namin hindi ko in-expect na mangyayaro to’ sa akin nagyon. So siguro sa magandang paki-kisama ko na lang din sa mga katrabaho ko at tsaka good working attitude na din [siguro yung ibibigay ko].” Chariz admits that like any new star, she felt a little intimidated working with such big names as her co-stars in the movie, “Noong una talaga kinakabahan ako [pero] masaya, at tsaka masaya sila ka-trabaho kahit sa una nakaka-kaba.” She shares that during one of their on-location shoots, she really felt tense and intimidated to the point that she was committing mistakes, “[May time na] medyo na tense na ako, iniisip ko na dapat hindi ako ma-intimidate, hindi ako dapat ma tense. Kasi bawat taping ko kina-career ko na eh, make the most out of everything.” Aside from mentally preparing herself every shooting day, she also sought the advice of experts to help her along. One such expert was the director of the movie, Direk Mark Reyes. “Humihingi po ako ng advice, sa mga directors, nagtatanong ako kung ok yung ginawa ako. Kasi yung mga projects na binibigay sa akin minsan ni refer ako. Ayoko naman mapahiya sila dahil sa akin” confesses Chariz. With this harmonious strategy in learning to act professionally, Chariz is one of the country’s rising sexy comediennes. For Chariz, being the comedic relief has its advantages and disadvantages, though she may be a funny person at heart, making people laugh for a living is a little difficult than expected, “Una parang naglalaro lang, pero natutunan ko na mahirap din pala malagay sa linya ng comedy. Kasi may iba’t-ibang klase ng comedy. Like sa Bubble Gang naman realistic na comedy, dito naman medyo kikay. Iba-iba, mahirap din pala maging flexible, pero eventually matutunan mo din siya.” With her perseverance to enhance her craft, My Best friends Girlfriend will be the first of many movies for this hot young comedian. Be sure to watch Chariz as the hilarious Chiqui as My Best friends Girlfriend, hits the big screen this February 13, 2008. -- Text by Alula Love M. Dela Cruz. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio