Let the Sunshine in

Let me begin this piece with a confession. I simply hate Pirena, the immortal villain in GMA-7's top-rating teleseries "Encantadia." She is so effective that I'd often find myself cursing her character everytime she makes trouble, giving her three sisters and even the people around her a headache. The woman who plays the character with gusto and fervor is none other than Sunshine Dizon. Upon knowing that she was to be the celebrity guest in last Saturday's Gaisano Main and Gaisano Countrymall's continuing 12th anniversary, I had second thoughts whether I should come or not. I even wondered what is there to talk about with Sunshine? Or maybe I was just afraid I might be carried away by my hatred towards her teleserye persona that I might just give her a mouthful. Well, those were just thoughts. I wouldn't really do it to her. That would have been so "babaw" of me, right?

Here's another confession. It was not the first time I saw Sunshine in flesh. The first time I chanced upon her was some time in March during a press conference for "Bahay Mo Ba 'To?" at SM. Unlike her co-stars who were busy granting interviews, she was actually free that time but I never bothered to approach her. Honestly, I found her snobbish and intimidating that time. But boy! Meeting her for the second time around eventually erased all my indifference towards her. This 22-year-old lass has a very shiny disposition; she's bubbly, persuasive and real. She reminds me of Cindy Kurleto and Alessandra de Rossi, who both are never afraid to speak their minds out. I simply like this girl now for being a writer's delight.

And she can really sing. Truth is, as soon as her schedule will be free from tapings and TV appearances, her mommy Dorothy would launch her album. Hopefully that would be realized next year with award-winning composer Ogie Alcasid promising to pen songs for her. When I heard her render songs with an amazingly solid voice, I was already at the Gaisano Main food square, but was seated at the back since I was still waiting for Sir Roger Serna and Manay Kriss Relatado to finish their meals. There were so many cheering and screaming fans blocking my view that I could only imagine her stage presence.

Minutes later we were already edging closer towards the stage where eventually, I had a good view. Watching Sunshine up close and personal is never boring. Sunshine upped her charm with her very engaging adlibs. She definitely can carry her own show. I would learn later that hosting, indeed, is her first love as part of three children shows before (I could only remember "Pen Pen De Sarapen"). That was how she developed her communication skills.

Then finally at the elevator Mommy Rose Gaisano introduced us to her. She greeted us "Hello, po" with a firm handshake and a pleasant smile. And as soon as we settled in the van that would bring us to Country Mall that was when the never-ending "chikahan" started. We were surprised at how energetic she was when she had just told us she just came from a continuous four-day shooting for Encantadia, Mulawin the movie and her newest soap, Now and Forever presents Agos. She shared that she only needs an hour of sleep for energy to last for several hours. And she has been in this situation since Encantadia started that she had to admit that with a very hectic and unpredictable schedule she has no time for a lovelife. I believe her.

I still have another confession. Initially, I never thought Sunshine would be a hit because GMA-7's chief executive officer, Atty. Felipe Gozon, himself admitted in a recent presscon how very much behind they are in Cebu as far as ratings are concerned. But as I was walking alongside Sunshine towards Gaisano Countrymall's stage, I had a sudden change of perception. Fans, mostly teenagers, were already chanting her name with a lot of them even addressing her "Pirena." It got so noisy and gay that I told her, "Oh well sikat na rin pala kayo rito kasi akala ko talong-talo kayo sa ratings." She answered me with a confession: "Ako rin eh hindi ko inakala na ganito karami. Alam mo the reason why full blast talaga kami noong Grand Kapuso Fans Day kung saan lahat ng artista pinadala rito was because we thought we are really behind in the ratings."

At our formal interview at Lighthouse Restaurant later that day, Sunshine amazed us more with her lengthy answers, furnishing us all the details that even cover questions we were about to ask. But first her mommy Dorothy called her attention because as soon as we began our dinner she heaped plenty of rice on her plate. Her response was "Mommy, I am very, very hungry. Promise! Kinain ko lang mamon for the whole day." Then, she admitted, "Pinaghahandaan ko talaga 'to kasi alam ko pakakainin ako ni Mommy Rose ng masarap." We all ended up laughing at her honesty.

Her mom then shared that her daughter actually rarely grants interviews in Manila so much so she was surprised why Sunshine was so talkative with us around. "Yeah, totoo yan. Kasi may iba dyan paulit-ulit lang ang tanong, paulit-ulit ko ring sinasagot, explain ako ng explain pero wala pa ring saysay kasi iba ang isusulat nila. Ako ang lalabas na masama," Sunshine confirmed, adding that she'd rather have people talk about her craft and not just about anything for publicity's sake. "Ang hirap kong interbyuhin kasi ang stand ko dyan, kung di naman kailangan hindi na papatulan. Lalaki lang yan, mas lalong magulo."

The viewing public first had a taste of Sunshine when she was only three years old in the movie "God's Little Children." She could no longer remember who were the other cast members. Then it was an on-and-off affair with showbiz because she was always busy with school. Then a few years back Viva Films got her for the Sunday afternoon drama "Anna Karenina" that was shown on GMA-7. Just as her contract with Viva ended, her mother network got her for the soap "Umulan Umaraw" with Angelika dela Cruz. It was her first time to play villain. From then on, offers just kept on coming. At 22, she could say she is already successful. She even has a construction business being managed by her mom. But she assured us that she has remained grounded.

"Ever since alam ko kong anong trabaho ang pinasok ko. Trabaho lang ako ng trabaho but hindi kailangang mag-iba ang pagkatao. Naglalakad pa rin ako sa mall na naka-tsinelas. Hindi mo ma-aalis sa akin yon. Sa Iloilo, 'pag nagbabakasyon kami naka shorts lang ako pag namamasyal at walang make-up. And I have kept the same friends hanggang ngayon," she shared.

She then told us she is very different from her onscreen persona because she is very shy, flexible that you could put her anywhere anytime, and most of all, jolly.

"Siguro the reason why I am so effective as Pirena is because I'm sensitive. I'm able to express the emotion called for. Kung nasasaktan ako nasasaktan talaga ako. And yes, mahiyain talaga ako, promise. Like in a big gathering, di mo ako makikita like I don't exist. Wala lang nasa tabi lang ako," she shared.

Pirena would probably draw your sympathy very soon as Sunshine revealed that all Sangre-Iza Calzado, Karylle, Diana Zubiri and herself-would be united to battle a new villain from another kingdom. According to Sunshine, all four of them are really close off camera to the point that they give each other suggestions on how to tackle their respective roles more effectively. There is no intrigue and jealousy among them unlike in other soaps. Sunshine is however sad because in Mulawin the movie, GMA Films' entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival this December, Diana would not be playing Danaya. (Yes, Encantadia has a minor part in the movie, being a spin off from the TV series, Mulawin). Seiko films, wherein Diana has a standing contract, did not allow her to be part of the movie. Valerie Concepcion got the role.

This week and onwards, Sunshine would be gracing our afternoon television viewing where she plays a very good role in Agos with Christopher de Leon, Lani Mercado, Dennis Trillo, Tanya Garcia, Pauleen Luna and JC De Vera. She revealed to us the storyline but I would not reveal it here. But I tell you it's heavy drama, wherein her character in the long run would become such a strong-willed woman that she'd become the mayor of their town. Very challenging, I would say.

Well, Sunshine is very much expected to deliver. After all she already has two Best Actress titles tucked in her belt courtesy of acting portrayals in "Magpakailanman." The awards were given by Enpress recently and Star Awards for TV last year. So what more is she asking for? "Pinapangarap ko na ma-uplift pa ang industriya. Na sana hindi lang kami ang magkakaroon ng magandang projects. Sana mag-unite ang mga artista at magtutulungan."

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Still part of the ongoing 12th Anniversary of Gaisano Main, watch out for Valerie Concepcion and Carlo Aquino in Gaisano Balambam and Gaisano Countrymall this Saturday at 2PM and 7PM, respectively. React at [email protected] or text to 09193194947.