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A profession, a cause, and a certain actor will always be close to Yasmien Kurdi's heart.
A profession, a cause, and a certain actor will always be close to Yasmien Kurdi's heart. Intrigued? Read on to find out! Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Yasmien loves... acting! This StarStruck 1 First Princess's claim to fame was her effective portrayal as Charming in Bakekang (2006), which ultimately placed her on the drama princess throne. Soon after the primetime hit, she was given another meaty role for GMA's afternoon Dramarama, Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig. The 1987 Lino Brocka remake was popularized by the Megastar Ms. Sharon Cuneta. Albeit pressured and scared of people's expectations, Yasmien took the challenge, all for the love of her craft. Yasmien now plays the role of Lupe Velez, Sharon's character in the film, a poor but gifted young lady who works as a scavenger in Payatas and who later on uses her gift of song to achieve a better life. Because the drama is shot at a dumpsite, Yasmien took precautionary measures and had Hepatitis B, anti-Malaria, and anti-flu shots before their actual taping. She describes the experience as "heavy, pare!" not only because of its location, but because of the trust bestowed upon her by the Network. "'Yung mga eksena doon, hindi sila ganoon kadali. (Syempre), si Megastar (Sharon Cuneta) ang gumawa noon. Tapos ikaw, nine-nerbiyos ka, dahil hindi mo alam 'yung reaction (ng tao sa'yo). Napakagaling na artista (doon sa original), tapos biglang ipo-portray mo siya! So mahirap 'yung mga expectations. 'Bahala na si Lord,' parang ganoon na lang sinasabi mo lagi!" Yasmien shares her realization after taping at the dumpsite: "Una, mabaho talaga, dahil amoy patay na tao, suka, at tae. Pero kung makakasanayan mo na siya, tapos (magiging) kaibigan mo 'yung ibang mga tao doon, hindi ka na masyadong maaapektuhan." She adds, "Alam mo, paminsan, sasabihin mo pa nga, 'Sino ba 'yung mga taong nakatira doon? 'Yun pa 'yung mga taong mababait (talaga). Hindi ibig sabihing pag nakatira ka sa basura, ugali mo, basura rin. May mga taong nakatira nga sila sa magarang bahay, pero ugali nila, basura. So sila 'yung mga nakakasuka. 'Yung mga tao doon (sa dumpsite), ang babait." Yasmien loves... animals! Did you know that Yasmien has been a strict vegetarian since January this year? She explains, "Ako kasi, I do it for PETA. People for Ethical Treatment of Animals. (Eating meat) is against the will and rights of animals, kaya ginagawa ko siya. 'Yung sa akin, dairy products, eggs, seafoods, bawal (talaga)." She shares that she and her friends recently celebrated World Veggie Day last October 1, where vegetarians got together for some acoustic music and healthy eating! In line with being a supporter of PETA, we asked Yasmien if she's willing to pose nude for one of the organization's ads, which usually involves celebrities scantily clad in fruits or vegetables. "I had a pictorial dapat noong August 30, kaso hindi ako natuloy dahil nagkaroon ako ng schedule (conflict). So ito, nire-resched ulit, hinahanapan ng time. Pero I won't pose nang nude na pose nila, kasi hindi naman ibig sabihin na if you're going to pose for PETA, dapat nude! You know, si Joss Stone, she had this issue of PETA, hindi naman siya naka-nude. Pero maganda naman 'yung pagkaka-explain nila ng animal rights. Hindi naman dapat nude ka talaga. You don't have to show skin," she explains. Yasmien loves...Josh Hartnett! What qualities does Yasmien look for in a guy? "(Basta) mabait. Wala naman ako sa looks, basta importante, may sense kausap. Hindi 'yung pag kausap mo, aantukin ka na! Or hindi naman 'yung sobrang nagpapatawa na ang corny-corny na!" Has she encountered these types of guys? "Oo, grabe!" she says with a laugh. So what does she do when caught in such a situation? "Gagawa ako ng ibang topic, kunwari, 'Sige, tara, mag-juice muna tayo! Hahaha!" She admits that she's really not looking for romance right now, although there's one man who'll always have the apple of her eye - Hollywood actor Josh Hartnett! "Gusto ko si Josh Hartnett!" she squeals with a blush. In fact, she likes him so much, she was even planning to visit him in Davao when he came over to shoot a movie! Josh shot some scenes of the detective thriller I Come With The Rain in Mt. Diwalwal, Davao. The Hollywood flick is set to be released in 2008. "Nakakainis, gusto ko nga siya puntahan sa Davao, tinawagan ko si tito Lhar (Santiago), sabi ko, 'Tito Lhar, sige na, gusto kong puntahan si Josh Hartnett, nasa Davao siya!' Kukuha dapat ako ng flight, nagpapakukuha ako ng day off talaga! (Pero) nakakainis, hindi ko man lang naabutan kahit sa airport! Hahaha!" Visit iGMA regularly for more updates on Yasmien! You can also get in touch with her via Fanatxt by texting YASMIEN to 4627. To receive MMS straight from her phone, text GOMMS YASMIEN ON and send it to 4627. (Each SMS costs P2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK N TEXT, while it costs P2.00 for SUN subscribers. Each MMS, on the other hand, costs P5.00 for all Networks.) Can't get enough of Yas? Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig gallery Lupe practices singing in English Yasmien performs the Pasan Ko Ang Daigdig theme song Reviving Guadalupe