The Height of Drama

From 'Boys Nxt Door' to 'Kaputol ng Isang Awit', Glaiza de Castro has cast off her teenybopper image for a more mature character. And as the series nears its end, Glaiza shares the lessons she learned being part of a heavy drama, and proving herself to the toughest critic of all: herself. Text by Jason John S. Lim. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Kaputol ng Isang Awit has pushed Glaiza de Castro into the lead role, and the rising young star has done her best to deliver what the role of Sarah Monteza requires. But much more than the screen time and much more than the media exposure, what Glaiza is most thankful for is getting to exercise her acting chops. "Ang daming naituro sa akin [ng show]," the talented actress says that playing the lead in a heavy drama series really helped her focus on her craft as an actress. "Hindi pwedeng pa-banjing-banjing lang, dahil kahit ang mga simpleng eksena, intense pa rin." Glaiza admits that it's not easy playing the protagonist, and crying all the time is not as easy as it looks-especially when it's already the fourth take, and you still have to cry as if there's no tomorrow. "Ayaw na ayaw kong nawawala sa momentum ko," she admits. In a cast that tries to give their best in the first take, take two's are still not rare. There are technical problems, sound problems, things that are out of anyone's control. And when it happens, a scene needs to be retaken. "Ang hirap humugot ulit eh. Kaya may mga eksena na iniisip ko, 'I could've done better'. Pero hindi maiiwasan. Ganoon talaga." Another thing Glaiza has learned is that it's hard to be a perfectionist in the world of showbiz. And while she understands that not everything can be perfected, she says, "iba pa rin 'yung binibigay mo 'yung best mo, 'yung satisfied ka sa ginawa mo." To continue honing her craft, she recently went through an acting workshop with Director Mike Tuviera under Ms. Gina Alajar. Glaiza reveals that she wanted to enroll even before, but she only got the chance now, "finally nandyan na!" She shares that she never thought she'd become close with Direk Mike, "na makaka-kwentuhan ko siya sa pag-arte, sa mga interests namin, parang ang sarap ng feeling." But, she also shares how it feels to be acting alongside someone who's directing you. "At first naiilang ako, nahihiya ako." But, Glaiza continues, she had to overcome it. "Isa sa mga reasons kung bakit ako nandito [ay] dahil I want to break something. I want to discover sa sarili ko na kaya kong gawin ang ganitong bagay. "And nung natapos ko 'yung workshop, isa 'yun sa mga achievements ko this year-other than having this soap. Sobrang-ang sarap ng feeling." But the young actress adds that she would love to have the opportunity to go through another workshop again. "Ongoing 'yun, 'yung pag-arte? Hindi kesyo nakapag-workshop [ka na] with Direk Gina, satisfied ka na doon. Kailangan mo siyang i-practice, para mas malaman mo sa sarili mo kung ano 'yung dapat mong paghugutan, at kung ano 'yung nagwo-work sa'yong approach." Glaiza continues to wow fans and casual viewers alike with her acting abilities though Kaputol ng Isang Awit. Catch her every weekday afternoon after Pablo Gomez's Magdusa Ka, part of GMA's Dramarama Sa Hapon. And the show is nearing its finale week! Are you tuned in? Talk about the show at the iGMA Forums ! And if you're not yet registered, register now! Who knows? You might even get to chat with your favorite Kapuso Artist through the iGMA Live Chat! Or know more about the last few weeks of the show from the stars themselves! Just key in GLAIZA on your mobile phone, and send to 4627 for all telcos. You can also subscribe to MARKY or LOVI by texting their names instead. Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK 'N TEXT, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. (This service is available only in the Philippines)