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Why Sheena is shy

By Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco.Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio.

Published January 1, 1970 8:00 AM PHT

Updated October 31, 2020 11:38 PM PHT

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Unlike her “StarStruck” batch mates who have chosen their own showbiz paths, Sheena Halili patiently waits for her own time to shine.
Unlike her “StarStruck” batch mates who have chosen their own showbiz paths, Sheena Halili patiently waits for her own time to shine. She bravely admits that she has thought of taking the road to instant fame by posing for men’s magazines, but she says that it’s not the right time – at least not yet. Instead, she prefers to invest in her youthful appeal and possibly become the next Jolina Magdangal. Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Graphic Design by Nikki Rafaela D. Sangil What’s new with her career? “Kahit magsuot siya ng sexy, hindi bastusin tingnan, di ba?” Sheena says of her idol Jolina. “Kahit konti lang takip niya, tapos net lang sa likod! Gusto ko, ganoon.” She explains, “Nasabi ko mga concerns ko (sa change of image, pero) kahit naman manager ko, ayaw pa niya ako ipaganoon. Kasi pa-sweet nga image ko. Kahit siguro 20 (years old) na ako (ngayon), hindi naman ako mukhang 20.” But Sheena’s not closing any doors and says that maybe when the time is right, she’ll have her own sexy pictorial as well. “Pwede pa siguro kung 25 na ako, di ba? Or 23 na ako, eh kung ang mukha ko pang ganoon pa lang na age, di ba? Why not?” What Sheena is focusing on right now is to be known not as a vixen, but as an angel. “Kasi ngayon, gusto ko makilala talaga (na) parang pa-sweet. Gusto ko ‘yung style ni ate Jolens, kahit matanda na siya, (wholesome pa rin), di ba?” As expected, the roles being given to her perfectly fit her desired image – young, hip, and wholesome. But this doesn’t mean that she’s not willing to deviate from her sweet image, because she has also tried a few complex roles. “’Yung Now and Forever: Dangal (2006), gusto ko role ko dun,” she says. “Tinext nga ako ng handler ko, ‘Anak, mayroon kang guesting sa NAF, ang role mo daw, buntis ka tapos nakatira ka sa mental hospital.’” “Tawa ako nang tawa,” was Sheena’s first reaction. “’Ha? Ako, buntis? Tapos baliw pa?’ Tumakbo ako kay mommy, tapos sabi niya, ‘Sino kaya nakabuntis sa iyo diyan?’ Pero noong nag-taping na ako, noong first day, siyempre kinakabahan na ako kasi drama ‘yun, eh. Super drama talaga. Pero nagawa ko naman ‘yung role.” Sheena has also acted in stage plays, such as Isang Buhay sa Tambakan at the CCP about two years ago, where she portrayed Millie. “(May twin ako doon). Mayaman kami tapos pinilit mabuhay sa squatters area.” But Sheena says that starring in a play is worlds apart from the tapings that she’s used to. “For me, mas okay taping, kasi pag live, sobrang kahit super pawis ka na, alam mo ‘yun, walang pakialam! Tapos kailangan alam mong laruin ‘yung boses mo, ‘yung buong script, kailangan memorized mo, tapos ‘yung blockings pa! Pag nagkamali, walang take two, pag may nakalimutan ka lang na konting lines, tapos hindi na-pick up ng kabatuhan mo ng lines, patay ka na! Mapapahiya na kayo. Tapos blockings rin, pag nagkamali rin, patay na, kasi blockings, may corresponding lines!” But even if it was a particularly draining experience, Sheena learned a lot during her month-long stint of being a theater actress. She shares that Fanatxt even covered the event and gave two lucky fans a chance to watch and meet her! The rest of Sheena’s roles have been light, girly ones that she describes as “kikay,” such as her character in Love to Love with Jolina Magdangal and Alfred Vargas, or her Stage 1: The StarStruck Playhouse (2004) portrayal opposite Nadine Samonte. In Joyride(2004), Sheena was a lowly probinsyana who fell in love with Rainier Castillo. “’Yun ‘yung role ko na tahimik ako, parang demure. Sa totoo lang, easy lang kasi at least hindi ka na nagpo-project, pero parang mas gusto ko talaga ‘yung madaldal - parang mas ako!”The most daring character that Sheena has portrayed was the one in Majika, where she donned a skimpy costume for her role as a nymph, or “umbra.” “Super bra lang kami doon!” Sheena imparts with a laugh. Her current projects include a stint in Super Twins, where she plays a similarly-named reporter. But she’s also excited for Luv Pow, an upcoming show together with Valerie Concepcion, Rhian Ramos, and Yasmien Kurdi, among others. When asked about her dream role, Sheena’s answer was straightforward and simple: “Gusto ko sana makilala ako, ‘yung pa-sweet lang talaga.” Going back to school! Sheena stopped schooling for a while (she graduated high school from San Lorenzo Ruiz, Pampanga) to focus on her career after StarStruck, but this school year, she’s all set to start her freshman year in college. “Dalawa kasi pinipili ko, Holy Angels or Angeles University (both in Pampanga). Tourism dapat kukunin kong course, pero ngayon parang gusto kong mag-Psychology.” “Isa ‘yun sa mga iniisip ko,” she explains, “na kailangan ‘yung mapipili kong course, e magagamit ko talaga sa future ko, kailangan kahit hindi na ako magsho-showbiz, gusto ko maipakita ko sa kanila na maganda pa rin ‘yung (future ko). Siguro kaya ko rin inaalagaan ‘yung sarili ko, kasi bago ka nga irespeto ng iba, kailangan irespeto mo muna sarili mo. Ganun, may pressure talaga (mag-succeed).” Part of Sheena’s plans include setting up her own business once she saves up after college. “Kasi nung bata ako, mahilig na akong magbenta-benta ng kung ano ano, siguro mga grade 5 ako nun. Nagtitinda kasi ‘yung tita ko ng mga palda at accessories, tapos pinupuntahan ko lahat ng kapitbahay namin (para magbenta)!” Sheena loves...? Sheena admits that she’s conservative in matters of the heart, and she shyly admits that she’s only had one boyfriend to date. But how will a guy get Sheena’s sweet “yes?” Courtship, of course! This traditional gal still believes in the power of perseverance! “Gusto ko, basta babae ako, lalaki ka. Parang ganoon. Siguro dahil ganoon din pagpapalaki sa akin ng parents ko. Pero hindi naman ako unfair sa mga lalaki, kasi may mga kapatid ako.” But let’s get down to the details. What catches her eye when a cute guy passes by? “Aaay!” Sheena gushes with a girly grin. “Gusto ko siyempre, malinis tingnan, pero hindi ako masyadong (tumitingin sa physical aspect.). Kunwari, makakita ako ng guy, hindi ako masyadong nagagwapuhan sa mapuputi. Hindi rin ‘yung super gwapo. Pag dating naman sa attitude, gusto ko simple, hindi masyadong madaldal, pero may sense kausap.” Sheena’s last relationship was almost two years ago, but she says that she does get suitors every now and then. She also has a secret crush, but he’s not part of the showbiz circle. Although she doesn’t want to divulge any details, Sheena says that he’s 20 years old, just like her. Does that mean that she was out on Valentine’s Day? She was, but not with her mystery guy! “May work ako sa Palawan! Mayroon akong show, fiesta siya. (Tapos) umuwi ako dito sa bahay ng February 14 ng tanghali, tapos gabi na rin kami nag-dinner ng family, dinner sa labas. Kasama mga brothers ko.” As the eldest of three siblings, Sheena says that her two younger brothers (one 19, the other 14) usually consult her for love advice. Sometimes, she’s even the one who talks to their girlfriends whenever it’s needed! “Ako laging kinukunsulta nila pag nagaaway sila; ako ‘yung nasa gitna; ako ‘yung nagbabati sa kanila!” “Sa friends ko rin, pag dating sa love life, ako ‘yung gusto nilang tinatanungan. Di ba nga, may kasabihan, madaling sabihin, pero mahirap gawin? Pero siguro sa akin, ‘yung pagsabi ko, parang magaganda lahat kasi fair ako,” she shares. Sheena’s ideal image perfectly matches how she is in real life. “Sinasabi ng friends ko, gusto daw nila ako kasama, kasi laging masaya. Noong high school, minsan nago-open forum kami, (tapos) pag iyakan na, pag ako na nagsasalita, kahit umiiyak ako, tumatawa pa rin silang lahat! Kasi nagpapatawa pa rin ako! Na hindi ko naman alam na nakakatawa pala sinasabi ko!” She adds, “Sa family ko rin, ‘yun din gusto nila sa akin, comedy daw ako, tapos kikay. Kikay ako sa totoong buhay, pero seryoso ako sa buhay.” “For example na lang, sa love life,” Sheena shares. “Di ba sa mga girls ngayon, okay lang na maraming guy friends ka, nililigawan ka lang? Ako kasi, hindi ako nagpapaligaw na alam ko naman na ‘Ah, eto, (wala lang ito).’ Two years na akong walang boyfriend, tapos may nanliligaw nga sa akin, pero super pili talaga ako, alam mo ‘yun?” So when will the wedding bells ring for this conservative lass? “Before, gusto ko 23 years old. Pero dahil wala akong boyfriend at 20 (pa lang) ako, siguro 28 years na ngayon! Hindi ko lang alam, pag nagka-boyfriend ako, baka maging 23 ulit!” Some people might think that Sheena is not controversial enough, or even at par with her contemporaries. But little do they know that there’s a reason for all this, and Sheena proves that not all things are done overnight. Because while others take daring career paths, this girl prefers to stay true to herself, and stick to the tried and tested formula of being Tinseltown’s sweetheart. Check out iGMA's summer challenge with Sheena and LJ! Click here!