Lalaine: The Pinay from Lizzie McGuire

Avid followers (including the pre-teen daughters of Mark Gil and sister Cherie) of the popular Disney Channel lollipop show Lizzie McGuire (with Hilary Duff in the title role, later made into a movie) probably didn’t know that the cute bubbly girl playing Miranda Sanchez, Lizzie’s feisty best friend, is a Filipina.

Not being familiar with the show, I myself was in the dark until two weeks ago when reader Dyndyn Marquez wrote to say that because of her seven-year-old son and five-year-old daughter, she herself has become a Hilary Duff fan. And, Dyndyn asked, did I know that Hilary’s co-star named Lalaine is a Filipina?

Thanks to Dyndyn for the information. I’m happy to tell her – and her children – that the other night, I met Lalaine who is here to shoot episodes for Flipside, a fun and lighted-hearted look at the Philippines through the fresh eyes of a young balikbayan (yes, Lalaine). A joint production of CCI Asia Television and Sari-Sari Group of Companies, Flipside will start airing on Oct. 1 on The Living Asia Channel (Channel 42 on Home Cable and Channel 16 on Dream Channel; check out directory for schedule on SkyCable).

"I’m excited about this show," exclaimed Lalaine who will explore the various facets of Philippine culture and dish out generous servings of Pinoy food, fashion, sports, film, music, etc. "Last night, we shot at the Intramuros. What a beautiful place," she added, showing a wooden rosary, bought from a sidewalk vendor, worn around her wrist as bracelet.

Lalaine (Vergara) turned 17 last June 3. She was born in Burbank, California, to Filipino parents who are, Lalaine volunteered, divorced. She’s the youngest of four siblings; her older sister Cristina was once a member of the Miss Saigon cast. When she was barely nine, Lalaine played Little Cosette in the musical Les Miserables and was later cast in the film version, done by Disney, of the hit musical Annie. She doesn’t just act; she dances and sings and writes songs. Disney has offered Lalaine a record deal after her first single, You Wish (which she did for a Disney movie in which she also appeared), topped the charts in the US. Her debut album will be released before end of this year.

"It’s my first time to be back. I lived here from 1990 to 1995," said Lalaine who was eight-years old when she left. "In Flipside, I’m happy to play a young Filipina revisiting and rediscovering her roots. I love the concept because I want it to be more known that I’m Filipina. Some of my fans know but not all of them. It’s just starting to, you know, get around."

What were her fond memories of the Philippines?

"You know," she answered, partly in fluent Tagalog, "when the plane (PAL flight 103 from L.A. early last Thursday morning, Aug. 5) was flying in, I looked out of the window and I saw so many tall buildings that were not there before. I remember the jeepneys and the tricycles. I remember the warm rain – you know, mainit. When I lived here, my dad spoiled me; I’d seen so many places because my dad moved around a lot. He’s an engineer. When they divorced, I decided to live with my mom. I haven’t been in contact with him since then."

How much of her has remained a Pinoy and how much has become American?

"Oh, I still love adobo, bistek and arroz caldo. In L.A., I get them from Goldilocks or Red Ribbon, a little far from where we live (in Burbank) but I drive there anyway. I buy loads of them."

She finished high school through home study which was the most ideal set-up because of her work.

"My mom is awesome, very strict like any Filipino mom. She’s very traditional about certain things and she keeps me grounded on some Filipino ways. My sense of style is very Filipino. I love wearing tsinelas."

No, she said, she hasn’t experienced any "discrimination" (against colored actors) during auditions in which she’s often mistaken for a Latina.

"I always correct them," said Lalaine. "I remind them that I’m Filipino. I can’t audition for Caucasian roles because I look ethnic. That’s how I look so I can’t do anything about it."

How was it working for two years with Hilary Duff on Lizzie McGuire?

"I did a lot of maturing and growing up on that show. It was fun! The whole cast and crew became my second family. Working with Hilary was good, it was fun. Hilary is like any normal 16-year-old girl. She’s not like her character on the show. Do we have anything in common? We had a great thing for fashion. I like lots of colors – you know, I want to stick out in a crowd."

And how is she similar to and different than her character, Miranda Sanchez?

"We’re almost the same. I didn’t have to portray her at all. Miranda Sanchez was just me, basically, but more amplified."

She’s here for three weeks. She’ll go back to L.A. for some commitments and come back soon after to do more episodes for Flipside.

She’s currently the spokesperson for Power Play, California’s youth program, taking over from NBA player Shaquille O’Neal.

Asked how Hollywood has changed her, Lalaine lit up.

"I don’t know if Hollywood has changed me. I have people like my mom and my fans who keep me grounded. Nothing has changed. If my mom thinks that my head is, you know, growing big, she kind of pulls me back."

Would she like to start a career here?

"I’d love to," she sparkled some more. "I’d love to do a movie here or record a Filipino song. I have favorite Filipino singers, like Regine Velasquez. The very first concert I watched when I was here was that of Sharon Cuneta."

So what’s her favorite Filipino expression?

"Aray! When I get excited or when I’m hurt, I don’t say ‘Ouch!’ I say, ‘Aray!’"

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