Maturity responsibility

She’s no longer the kid clowning around on ABS-CBN’s Kaybol. Neither is she the six-year-old child in the Aga Muhlach starrer Hinahanap-hanap Kita.

Shaina Magdayao has blossomed into a lady responsible for her every deed and decision —  in love, career and others.

“Now that I’m 18, it doesn’t mean I’ll have the freedom to do things that would put me and my family in a bad light. My moves should still conform to my being wholesome. It’s just that I’m now ready to do mature roles,” Shaina says.

Even if others find posing sexy for a men’s magazine the best way to discard a child star’s bubbly, sweet image, Shaina settles for roles that would show the maturity in her.

This way, she explains, she could still do roles that require her to show the “baby” in her like her character in Maverick Films’ December filmfest entry Katas ng Saudi directed by Joey Reyes. She co-stars with Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Lorna Tolentino and Rayver Cruz.

“Kathy (Shaina’s character) represents most of the OFW daughters who grow up without fathers. The character is no longer a child but not yet a woman. If people see me on the cover of a sexy mag, I cannot easily convince them see me as a typical Pinay teenager, always on the go but somewhat conservative,” Shaina states.

Breathing and living the character is Shaina’s perception of good acting. That is why she never fails to look into the role before accepting every project. Sometimes when hesitation sets in, as the transition from teeny-bopper to mature roles gives her butterflies in the stomach, Shaina seeks advice either from her parents or her Ate Vina.

The audience will also see her sans perennial screen partner Rayver Cruz, and this time with Piolo Pascual in the Kapamilya network’s soap La Lobo Blanca early next year. She will play a 23-year-old woman secretly in love with Piolo’s character.

“A total transformation will happen to me in the soap. The way I dress up, the voice pitch and the acting are different from those pa-cute days I once had in film or TV. I’m now more into serious acting,” Shaina shares.

Is she thinking about getting into a serious relationship?

“Not yet. I’ll just collect and collect my suitors then select,” Shaina replies in jest.

Shaina’s hands are so full with work these days, she is putting her love life in the backseat. She also stars with Maricel Soriano, Eric Quizon, Marian Rivera, Yasmien Kurdi, Mark Herras and also Rayver in Regal Entertainment’s filmfest entry, Bahay Kubo (A Pinoy Mano Po).

“If ever I’ll be having a boyfriend now, I’ll surely have no time for him,” Shaina says.

It will also test Rayver’s and John Prats’ patience in waiting for Shaina’s decision. John gave Shaina a heart-shaped Tiffany necklace on her debut last Nov. 6 that made others think she has reciprocated John’s love.

“How could that be? He’s still courting me and it’s not proper to entertain suitors if I already have a boyfriend,” Shaina clarifies.

Does her family have a say on her love life?

“No, they let me decide. They just remind me to concentrate on my career and studies (she’s graduating  from high school at Angelicum this March),” Shaina replies.

With maturity comes more responsibilities like handling her finances and businesses her family owns like the Ystilo salon and the apartment Shaina put up in Quezon City. Her dad recently put up Photon Dome, a wellness center which started in Japan, in Timog, Quezon City.

“Now that I’m handling my own finances, I find it hard to splurge on unimportant things. It’s hard to see your savings decrease even slightly,” Shaina relates.

Shaina plans to take up a business related course in college so she can handle all her finances and their businesses well.