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Learn more about the newest superhero twins to hit the primetime block – Ella Cruz and Nicole Dulalia!
Learn more about the newest superhero twins to hit the primetime block – Ella Cruz and Nicole Dulalia! Text by Jillian Q. Gatcheco. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. Unlike most child stars who only portray the “young version” of the heroine or hero in a teleserye, Ella and Nicole get to have longer air time for Super Twins, because this time around, the heroines of the series wouldn’t actually grow up – they’d just transform with the help of their magical rings! StarStruck 1 Ultimate Female Survivor Jennylyn Mercado (“Super S”) and her StarStruck batchmate Nadine Samonte (“Super T”) will be portraying the superhero versions of Ella and Nicole, whose characters are Tin-Tin and Sha-Sha, respectively. As the stronger, more aggressive fraternal twin, Sha-Sha inevitably becomes Tin-Tin’s protector. They will carry this on even when they transform into “Super S” and “Super T,” which happens every time they kiss their magical rings. Let’s ask the two little stars of the show about their taping experiences so far. From Rivals to Playmates They tell us that it’s been a breeze to balance school and acting, and that they don’t have a hard time memorizing the scripts while doing homework in between. They even share their tips on how to memorize lines faster! Says Ella, “Ako po, basta basahin mo lang, intindihin ninyo lang po, kahit wag ninyo na po i-memorize, basta ‘yung sasabihin ninyo lang po, ‘yun pa rin ‘yung (ibig sabihin sa) script. Intindihin mo lang.” Nicole’s technique is quite different from Ella’s, but it garners equally effective results. “Ako naman po, mga tatlong (beses ko babasahin) para mas maganda po, ‘yun na ‘yun po sasabihin ko.” These two girls have actually met long before they were cast for the teleserye. They competed in a search for Little Mr. and Miss Dunkin Donuts 2004 in Bulacan, notes Ella. “Umabot naman po kaming dalawa ng grand finals,” adds Nicole. “At saka ‘yung ‘Darna Liit’ din po sa SIS, nag grand finals kami.” Both also joined Eat Bulaga’s Little Miss Philippines, although in different years. Nicole was a Grand Finalist in 2005, while Ella was a Semi-Finalist in 2004. But now that they’re past being each other’s competition, how’s their relationship so far? “Hanggang madaling araw, naglalaro kami!” shares Ella with a laugh. Ella, who’s 10 years old, is a fourth grader at Colegio de Sta. Monica de Anggat (CSMA), while nine-year old Nicole is currently a third-grader at St. Mary’s College of Meycauayan (SMCM). Although Ella and Nicole are both young actresses in their own right, these two live perfectly normal kiddie lives at home, complete with hobbies and playtime. Both love to play video games such as The SIMS, and reading children’s books in their free time. Ella likes playing with her little bro and sis, while Nicole helps out her older siblings study by quizzing them when they ask her to. They proudly say that their grades are okay, and that their favorite subject is math. These two started out as rivals in kiddie competitions, and eventually got their stints in various TV series. But look at them now: the leading pair of GMA’s newest primetime offering! Who knows where they’ll be given a few more years? In the meantime, check out this talented tandem every weeknight, right after Asian Treasures!