Entertainment

Janella Salvador dismisses rivalry with Julia, Liza

Chuck Smith - The Philippine Star

January 14, 2015 | 3:54pm

MANILA, Philippines - Janella Salvador finally gets her time in the spotlight.

The young actress headlines the ABS-CBN drama series “Oh My G!” which premieres on Monday, January 19.

This is the first time the young actress will play lead, after more than two years of playing support in the long-running morning show “Be Careful With My Heart.”

“I’m overwhelmed right now. Hindi pa nagsta-start ang show, ang dami ko nang support na nakukuha,” she said during the press launch of “Oh My G!” on Tuesday.

Janella topbills the show with “Be Careful With My Heart” co-star Marlo Mortel.

“Excited na talaga kami patunayan kung ano talaga meron kami,” he said.

She describes “Oh My G!” as a show “about a teenage girl and her connection to God.” In the show, Janella plays Sophie Cepada, a young girl who suddenly finds herself being able to talk to God via different means.

Janella is part of the Star Magic batch of artists who were launched in 2013, along with actresses Julia Barretto and Liza Soberano.

The 16-year-old actress said she is not jealous of Liza and Julia, who got to topbill their own show before her.

Liza was launched as a lead actress in “Forevermore,” while Julia led the cast of the 2014 series “Mirabella.”

Janella Salvador and Marlo Mortel during the press launch of ABS-CBN's "Oh My G!" Philstar.com/Chuck Smith

“For me, if it’s your time, it’s your time,” Janella said when asked the perceived competition between her, Liza and Julia.

“So time nina Liza yun. Sana time ko na rin ito,” she added.

Janella also said: “We’re very, very close. Wala po kaming rivalry or whatever”

The ABS-CBN artist is the daughter of theater actress Janine Desiderio. But Janella believes she forging her own path in show business.

“Wala naman masyadong pressure kasi feeling ko iba naman kami ng mom ko. Siya sa theater, ako more on television. So, I’m not feeling the pressure naman,” she said.

“Saka, she’s helping me, she’s guiding me always. I’m confident because of her,” Janella further said.

She is interested in doing theater as well? “Wala naman po siyang inaayawan sa mga gusto ko. She supports whatever I want. Pero ang sabi ko sa kanya, siguro theater I want to try in the future pa. Ayoko pa muna ngayon,” Janella said.

Janella feels the pressure of filling the time slot “Be Careful With My Heart” vacated a few months ago. But she’s hopeful that, like her previous series, the new show finds its audience.

“Only God knows,” “Oh My G!” director Veronica Velasco said when asked if her show can also run as long as “Be Careful With My Heart. “Syempre challenge, big shoes to fill ang time slot na yun.”