Sarah Lahbati gets her biggest break

MANILA, Philippines - It’s been almost three years since she won in the fifth season of GMA 7’s artista search StarStruck. Thus, you can’t blame Sarah Lahbati for telling that she had moments of doubt, questioning herself why stardom seems to be so elusive to her unlike others who clinched that “solo starrer show” as fast as a blink of an eye.

Instead of sulking, Sarah never ceases on improving her craft. She devoted some time attending workshops in acting, singing and dancing. She, too, worked hard in polishing her Tagalog.

And all the hard work and patience have finally paid off. Sarah recalls she found herself jumping up and down one morning when her manager Arsi Baltazar phoned her the good news: She will topbill Kokak, the GMA 7’s TV adaptation of Ruben Marcelino’s komiks series. The title character was popularized by Rachel Lobangco on the big screen in the ’90s. It will air beginning Nov. 14 after Eat Bulaga!.

“I can’t explain my happiness and I really am thankful to God for giving me this break and to GMA,” Sarah says.

In Kokak, Sarah takes on the challenge of slipping into the character of Kara, a woman who turns into a frog when her feet get wet at night and goes back to being human when morning comes.

Despite such curse, Kara captivates two men — Carl (TJ Trinidad) and Roco (JC Tiuseco). The former is the first man that Kara sees and falls in love with while the latter is a small-time crook who later becomes a martyr for Kara’s love.  

Asked if she’s ready to shed her sweet image for a role that requires her to go daring, Sarah replies, “At first, I really got nervous because everyone was asking if I’m ready for a super sexy role, so I started reading the script at sobrang nagustuhan ko naman ang character. For me, it’s more about the story but of course, I can’t help but show some skin.”

Her parents Abdel and Esther, Sarah relates, were hesitant in her decision to accept the project. They knew their daughter won’t be comfortable moving in skimpy clothes but knowing how GMA takes care of its artists, they, later on, allowed her to do it.

Besides, Sarah doesn’t believe that an actor should stick to a certain image. For her, acting knows no limits. That every actor should do whatever the role calls for — be it wholesome, rough or sexy — “as long as di bastusin, (going) sexy will definitely be fine for me,” she explains.

Kokak director Ricky Davao has nothing but praises for Sarah, saying, “First shooting day pa lang, pinabilib na ako.” He even declares that the Kapuso network has found a new star.

No, direk Ricky didn’t advise Sarah to watch the original. “They wanted a fresh approach for televiewers to see a new Kara,” she offers.

Is she willing to do more daring roles?

“I can’t tell you now but of course, ayoko din malagay sa isang level lang kasi di pwede forever pa-sweet.”

Kokak also stars Deborah Sun, Jessa Zaragoza, Gary Estrada, Caridad Sanchez, Angelika dela Cruz, Frencheska Farr, Ervic Vijandre and Vaness del Moral.