Ciara in her most challenging role

MANILA, Philippines - Acting is in her genes. She has an esteemed showbiz lineage and a formidable reputation. Hence, it’s not surprising that Ciara Sotto, youngest child of Sen. Tito Sotto and Helen Gamboa, is pursuing the same path that her parents had taken.

While she was relegated to girl-next-door roles in her earlier film assignments, Ciara proves her maturity as an actress in her latest screen drama, Mano Po 6: My Mother’s Love. The movie, directed by Joel Lamangan, is one of the two official entries of Regal Films to this year’s Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF), the other being Shake, Rattle & Roll XI.

Ciara attests playing the rebellious daughter of Sharon Cuneta in Mano Po 6 is her most challenging role to date and her biggest career break. Ciara is grateful to Regal Films matriarch Lily Monteverde for making her part of the stellar cast of Mano Po, where she gets to work anew with cousin Sharon. Nine years ago, they played sisters in Olivia Lamasan’s Minsan Minahal Kita.

“It’s great to work with Ate Sharon again,” Ciara says. “She made me comfortable acting with her in all of our scenes together. She was never intimidating. She gave me pointers along the way and that really helped me internalize my character. I’m really blessed to be included in this project. “

Sharon herself was said to be really impressed with Ciara’s acting depth in Mano Po 6. “The compliment from Ate Sharon inspired me to do better in my acting,” Ciara allows. “I really gave my best to this movie and I prepared hard for my role.”

Not a few who have seen the rushes of Mano Po 6 observed that Ciara’s role might merit an acting nomination, which thrills her no end. “There are a lot of good actors in this movie. It’s not bad to look forward to an acting nomination. I will really be thankful if that happens.”

For the first time, Ciara also does a love scene with Ryan Eigenmann, who plays her leading man. She confesses she was really nervous before the take in a beach resort, as she has not done any bed scene in her entire acting career.

Ciara is thankful to direk Joel for doing a tasteful love scene. “My passionate kissing scenes with Ryan were done very well,” Ciara offers. “I trusted my director to guide me throughout the shoot. He told me the right way to do a cinematic love scene.”

She likewise commends her leading man for supporting her during the take. “Ryan was a real gentleman. He was very careful of his moves, that’s why it wasn’t too hard doing the scene with him.”

Asked if she had to ask permission from her parents before she did the love scene, Ciara discloses it was no longer necessary. “They didn’t have to approve it (love scene). I simply informed them about it. They know I’m of age to do a kissing scene onscreen, so they didn’t object to it. I also didn’t require any parameters for the love scene.”

Also part of her excitement about Mano Po 6 was joining the Beijing entourage to film a few highlights for the movie. Amidst the freezing weather, Ciara joined her fellow stars and the production crew to shoot in historical and tourist places in China like the Forbidden City, Temple of Heaven, the Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium and the Great Wall.

“It’s not everyday that you get to be a part of a movie as big as Mano Po,” Ciara asserts. “The cost and production scope are really overwhelming. I’m just so proud to have done something like this.”

After Mano Po 6, Ciara will have to lie low from showbiz for quite some time as she prepares for her altar date. She is set to tie the knot next year with Jojo Oconer, nephew of Eat, Bulaga! producer Tony Tuviera.

Ciara, however, does not wish to say Mano Po 6 will be her last film. Although she vows to play dutiful wife to her partner after their wedding, Ciara will still be willing to accept projects that will interest and challenge her. She wants to continue honing her talent and versatility as an actress.

“Showbiz is something that I’ve grown to love,” Ciara maintains. “I grew up in the business. Both my parents are part of showbiz. It’s not easy to just leave everything behind. I enjoy being in showbiz. Maybe after getting married, I can simply choose what I decide to do, be it TV or film. But I cannot totally turn my back from showbiz.”