In her mom's footsteps

MANILA, Philippines - Fifteen-year-old Lexi Fernandez is undoubtedly following her mom Maritoni Fernandez’s footsteps in acting. She just made her acting debut on GMA 7’s Ilumina where she is Paolo Avelino’s sister and part of Bea Binene and Jake Vargas’ love triangle. Lexi also appears on GMA 7’s Sunday variety show Party Pilipinas where she shows her singing and dancing skills.

Lexi is new to acting but in her heart she has loved to be an actress even when she was still a little girl at two. That’s when Lexi started going with mom Maritoni on her TV shows till she gets the hang of it, even branded herself as her mom’s “P.A.”

“That’s why I fell in love with acting. I was like that until I turned 11 when I became her ‘little P.A.’,” reveals Lexi.

“Ako po ang nagdadala ng make-up kit niya, ‘yung mga costume niya, ako ang tagahawak ng script niya pag kelangan niya until the time na kinuha ako ng GMA,” she fondly recalls.

Lexi is now part of GMA Network’s newest teen group called Tween Stars along with Barbie Forteza, Joshua Dionisio, Jake Vargas, Bea Binene, Joyce Ching, Louise delos Reyes, Kristoffer Martin and Derek Monasterio.

GMA 7’s Reel Love presents Tween Hearts is the newest youth-oriented drama series. It airs every Sunday afternoon after Party Pilipinas. The story revolves around each tween’s personal dilemma and how he/she copes with adolescence. Gina Alajar directs the show.

Lexi admits she enjoys working with fellow Tween Stars and hopes to get closer to the group.

Contrary to how sweet and shy she is, Lexi plays the Queen B-character and cheerleader who tries to get the attention of her schoolmates to cover up her own family problems.

 “Dito po maarte siya, mataray siya, ginagamit niya ‘yung pag-arte niya pangtakip ng mga problema niya at home,” says Lexi.

“Actually, my dream role is to play a good character. It’s more comfortable and easier to do at parang mas natural po para sa ’kin. Otherwise, playing contravida is not bad at all. It challenges me more and it helps me explore what I can do and improve on them. I just have to be focused so that I can justify the character they give me,” Lexi shares.

Despite of it, she has her Mama as inspiration and influence.

Is she pressured that her mom is a veteran actress and one of the most noted contravidas in the business?

“Syempre po nandyan na po ‘yung pressure. Parang marami pong nag-i-expect sa akin. So as far as I can, I’m doing my best para hindi po mapahiya si Mama and my family and I know I have their all-out support,” Lexi declares.

The ever-excited Lexi doesn’t mind mixing acting and studying.

“Ginaganahan ako because ever since talaga, I have been aspiring to be an actress. And it’s (like) coming true already.”

Right now, Lexi is taking a break from being her mom Maritoni’s “little P.A.” ’coz she’s already getting busy in her budding career.