Betting on Liza Soberano

MANILA, Philippines - Aside from Julia Barretto, who is the other fresh face that young males of today swoon over?

The answer is 15-year-old Liza Soberano who is predicted to be the next important star in 2015.

Her real name is Hope Elizabeth Soberano who was born in California on Jan. 4, 1998 to a Filipino dad and an American mother. She was raised by her grandparents when her parents separated. Two years ago, a talent scout spotted her and was introduced to Ogie Diaz who is now her manager.

Just like any beginner, the Kapamilya actress was cast in bit roles in Wansapanataym and Maalaala Mo Kaya. She also appeared in Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo.

Liza had to polish her Tagalog upon the advice of her manager. “She couldn’t speak a word in Filipino when she came to Manila and it took her three years to learn it well. I told her that she had to do it, if she wants to be famous,” Ogie shared.

Christmas came too early for Liza when ABS-CBN decided to launch her into full stardom in Forevermore. The new teleserye is not a remake of the old Jericho Rosales/Kristine Hermosa movie with a mango farm as a backdrop.

Forevermore pairs her with Enrique Gil and it deals with first love. The strawberry field provides a romantic setting where Liza portrays a strawberry picker.

In the story, rich boy Xander (Enrique) goes skydiving and his parachute lands in the strawberry farm where Liza works. To pay for the damages, he is forced to work in the farm where they get to know each other and eventually fall in love.

The cast also includes Zoren Legaspi and Lilet as the hotel-magnate parents of Enrique, and Joey Marquez and Almira Muhlach as the farmer parents of Liza.

In the pipeline for Liza is a movie project with the working title The Bet.

Liza expressed feelings of excitement and gratitude for the wonderful blessings coming her way. Her manager must be doubly happy as well for the small successes his ward is reaping. We hope there is a written contract binding them for Ogie to avoid being on the losing side when she becomes a big, big star. Ogie used to manage Vice Ganda, remember?