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With three straight shows on primetime television, Sheena Halili seems to have the 'it' factor right now. Just why is Sheena so in demand?
With three straight shows on primetime television, Sheena Halili seems to have the 'it' factor right now. And just why is Sheena so in demand? Because she has found the secret way to viewers' hearts—through their funny bone! Text by Jason John S. Lim. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Sheena Halili was not discovered through a serendipitous moment while walking in a mall, nor did she win a reality artista search (though she joined one). Sheena Halili just waited for the right moment—and made sure that people would see what she was capable of: good and clean comedy. And people are loving her for it. "Alam mo nga, na-feel ko talaga na comedian ako nung nag-guest ako sa SiS na kasama ko sina Wilma Doesnt, Tuesday Vargas at Chariz Solomon." At that moment, Sheena shares, she realized that she was really a comedian. "Ito na 'yun. Ibang level na 'to, nakakapatawa na talaga ako ng tao." There are two popular types of comedians in the Philippine entertainment industry: those who are blessed with a sexy body, and those not as blessed in the looks department. Those in the first type capitalize on green jokes, while those in the latter type rely on self-depreciation. Sheena fits neither of the two categories. "Konti lang 'yung comedian sa ngayon, sa batch namin." And she's one of the very few comedians who isn’t relying on the above-mentioned jokes. She explains, "kasi kailangan pag comedy ka, 'yung mga sinasabi mo, alam mo. Di ba? "'Yung mga green jokes? Hindi ko pa nage-gets yan. Hindi ko pa talaga kaya." Right now, she continues, she's focusing on developing her craft. And Sheena is bursting with gratitude for all the actors and actresses she's been paired up with. "Si Katrina [Halili] kasi, wino-workshop niya ako—nagiging acting coach ko siya noon eh, tsaka si Direk Joyce." This was during her MariMar stint, when she was playing her breakout role, Monica. "Tapos sa Kim Samsoon, si Ate Uge (Eugene Domingo) naman, si Ate Regine [Velasquez], si Direk Dom [Zapata]—yan naman 'yung mga nagtuturo sa akin." For her latest role as Vicky in LaLola, Sheena says she still has Direk Dom to guide her. And she's looking forward to what new things she will learn in her newest on-screen partner: Angelika dela Cruz. In her previous two primetime shows, Sheena's partners had background in comedy, even Katrina. But with Angelika, Sheena isn't sure how it will go. "Dalawang beses pa lang kami nagkaka-eksena dito." So far, she continues, it seems that she will get along well with her new partner. "Ina-accept naman niya 'yung mga ginagawa ko. Yun 'yung masarap na ka-eksena, parehas kayong umaarte." And she's lucky that everyone she's worked with were great reactors. Yet, she admits, she still has to get used to working with them at first. With Angelika, Sheena is looking forward to working with her more, so she would get to know her co-star a little better as well. "Inaamin ko, tuwing first time ko sa set, or first time kitang maka-eksena, siguradong mate-tense ako sa'yo. Pero siguro, mga tatlo o apat na beses na kitang maka-eksena, medyo okay na." According to Sheena, she's yet to practice ad-libbing for her new role. Unlike Cynthia, her role in Ako si Kim Samsoon, Vicky starts out very serious. Sheena says, "sinabi lang sa akin, comedy 'to. [Pero] hindi pa naman pumapasok 'yung pagiging comedy ni Vicky." "Sa mga kinunan ko, may pagka-energetic siya; tapos may times naman na feeling niya, lagi siyang nasa camera—pumo-pose-pose ng ganyan. Tapos, ayaw masyadong ibukas ang bibig dahil feeling niya nga, may kumukuha sa kanya." She laughs, "feeling niya, model siya." From Sheena's accounts, Vicky is sounding more and more like a sitcom character. But with Direk Dominic still helming this project, should we expect more gimmicks from the director and her? "Niloloko nga ako ni Direk Dom," she exclaims. She says that the director would tell her what to do in a scene,. and then would call out for his staff to play music, reminding Sheena of the many music video-like scenes she did in Kim Samsoon. When she's flustered enough, that's when their director would tell her that it's just a joke. "Akala ko meron pa rin," she finishes. Excited to see what’'s new with Sheena in LaLola? Don't forget to tune in every weeknight after Mars Ravelo's Dyesebel to catch a glimpse of this budding comic. And talk about her involvement with the show, with other Kapuso fans at the iGMA Forums! Or find out more about her role from Sheena herself! Just key in SHEENA on your mobile phones, and send to 4627 for all telcos. Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK 'N TEXT, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. (This service is exclusively for the Philippines only.)