This Cebuana is living her dream

At the rate her career is going, Dionne Monsanto can tell to herself, without batting an eyelash, that she is living her dream to become a star.

Her entry to Super Inggo 1.5: Ang Bagong Bangis and inclusion in an Aga Muhlach-Anne Curtis starrer make her budding career extra special and sweet. Dionne owes all of this to her stint on Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) Season Two which has given her early projects like a guest appearance on ABS-CBN’s Your Song and a semi-regular status on A.S.A.P.

“I’m thankful,” says Dionne as she looks back to the days that came after her exit from Bahay ni Kuya. “I think I’m getting there to achieve my dream, which is  to become an actress.” 

Though she has graced and hosted some of Cebu’s local programs and events, Dionne still feels those first-time jitters.

“Show business there in my hometown is different,” shares Dionne. “People don’t recognize me much though I have appeared on local TV. Here, it’s more competitive. I’m also adjusting to the kind of life I have now. It’s difficult and challenging living on my own. But I’m handling it well.”

But what the young Cebuana is set to do is to take any role or opportunity that will come her way, especially now that Dionne is in that showbiz stage  where she has to prove her worth as an artist. 

Showing what she can offer local tinseltown is her character Salonna on Super Inggo 1.5. In the show, Dionne’s character gets her energy from her long, black hair. Super Inggo airs Saturday nights at 6.

“I have fun working with the kids,” describes Dionne of the working atmosphere on the Super Inggo 1.5 set. “They clown around with us during shooting breaks. It reenergizes us, particularly when it nears midnight and we’re still taping. We get energy from them to sustain us till the wee hours of the morning.”

Many believe Salonna is a good start to take off the PBB alumna’s TV and movie career. It will give her the training ground she needs. In the future, however, Dionne wishes to do drama projects.

Super Inggo 1.5 is a prequel of sort to Super Inggo 2 which is set to air next year. Expect some characters to cross over to the show’s book two. 1.5 continues the exciting journey of Budong/Super Inggo (Makisig Morales), the Pinoy kid superhero. The fantasy show also stars Jairus Aquino, Angelu de Leon, Nova Villa, Meryll Soriano, Kaye Abad and Bobby Andrews.

Aside from Super Inggo 1.5, Dionne will be seen in a movie topbilled by Aga and Anne. She will play a sarcastic environmentalist. A character, says Dionne, who is totally different from what she is in real life. The only connection Dionne has with her role is that she herself does outreach and community work back in Cebu. It is a cause she is committed to do in life.

“I was shaking when I had my first scene with Aga,” recalls Dionne. “Direk Joey Reyes was there to guide me and tell me to relax. It was really an experience.”

What are other things the sophomore Communication Arts student is thankful for?

“One is that I’m visible, considering that I didn’t make it to the Top Four of PBB,” replies Dionne. “Another is I’m able to help my mother through my work. I feel blessed. I know He knows what’s inside me and what I need.”