What puts pressure on Eula

MANILA, Philippines - Not many showbiz newcomers are as busy as Eula Caballero. Just by enumerating the acting projects she has starred in and the activities she is about to do, already makes it obvious that downtime is pretty rare in her schedule. A clear proof that TV5, which paved the way for her acting talent to shine after she won in the network’s artista search Star Factor three years ago, is taking good care of her showbiz career and making sure acting assignments land on her lap one after the other.

Eula had her TV screen acting debut Luv Crazy right after she became part of the Kapatid family. More shows followed like Bagets, The Sisters, Sa Ngalan ng Ina, Nandito Ako, Third Eye, Enchanted Garden, Never Say Goodbye and Loko Mo Ko U. Beginning May 6, televiewers will see her playing the title role in Cassandra: The Warrior Angel, the new primetime fantasy/action series that will replace the Derek Ramsay topbiller Kidlat.

“Cassandra is one big responsibility and I really have to deliver because TV5 has entrusted to me a great project,” says Eula who looks every inch a TV5 Teleserye Princess in her elegant off-white gown during her solo presscon held recently, far from her raw Cebuana teener look when she initially joined showbiz. Even her photos, taken by Ronnie Salvacion, that were on exhibit in the venue attest how Eula blooms into a fine young lady.

Giving life to her character as a warrior angel also signals Eula’s shift to a more serious acting approach. “Compared to Third Eye where my character takes off, Cassandra is more mature acting.” But this early, Eula feels butterflies in her stomach knowing how Kidlat fare in the ratings game. “It’s a pressure for me but if you will ask kung saan ako mas na-pre-pressure — sa acting o sa ratings, I’m more pressured with my acting because I know it will start from there…if I deliver well, for sure it will appeal to people and they will watch the show, and, the ratings will follow.”

That’s why, Eula is preparing hard for the role that also requires her to display some physical strength. Part of her preparation is the Muay Thai training she tirelessly attends to make her action scenes as convincing as possible. “Until now sa tapings, I really try to do my best kasi nakakahiya sa management, sa mga sumusuporta sa akin at sa family ko kaya I really have to deliver.”

Also putting some weight on her shoulders is being called the new Teleserye Princess after Alex Gonzaga, who was originally called as such, left TV5.

“I’m more of taking it as a challenge, Ate Alex had contributed a lot to the network and she’s so good, napaka-sipag pa. Every time she was given a project, s’ya palagi sa ‘kaya ko ito,magagawa ko ito, may maipapakita ako. Isa s’ya sa nakaka-inspire talaga kasi nakikita ko siyang nagsisipag talaga. So, it’s a challenge for me.”

Asked if she believes having an onscreen partner will do good to her career, Eula replies, “It depends. We all know what appeals to the audience these days, yung mga pampakilig but I don’t want to stick with only one to the point of getting dependent on him. I mean, I can be good with a partner and it will also be fine if I go solo.”

Besides, Eula never ceases to improve on her craft in an aim to make an effective portrayal in every role there is. Find out more about Eula as she talks regarding career, sacrifices and love:

You have evolved from an innocent newcomer to a brave warrior angel, how do you see yourself as an actress?

I’m still growing. I still hunger and thirst for more learnings for my acting to be more effective.

As a person?

I’m more responsible now because I was treated as a baby being the youngest in the family and everything came easy and quick. Now that I’m 17, I can see the realities of life; that it’s hard to earn and what’s harder is to save. That’s why I’m more sensitive, more responsible and hardworking than before.

What do you miss most now that you’re in showbiz?

I miss the times when I would go to the mall and no one would care about who I am, about what I wear and I can be crazy with my friends and family kasi napaka-loud ko, napakadaldal. Well, of course, I could still be me pero I have responsibilities, I have work and image to take care of. Dati, when I was nobody, I aspire to be somebody pero mas na-realize ko mas mahirap pala but my love for my work gives me more reason to be happy.

What has been your greatest challenge acting-wise?

 My Holly character in Nandito Ako because her life was so tragic. She was a rich girl in the story but later on, Holly found out that she is adopted so it was a heartbreak, then she fell in love with a guy who loves her bestfriend so another heartbreak then while fighting for the love of the guy, Holly got sick — brain cancer. For me, yun ang pinaka-challenging. I was physically weak during those times na tuwing uuwi ako from taping bagsak ako kasi it’s so tiring and emotionally draining.

Aside from spending less time with your family, what other sacrifices you did when you entered showbiz?

My studies. I really have to sacrifice my studies because at that time when I was starting out, I had to attend to so many activities here and I was studying in Cebu so I really had to stop. I’m still in my fourth year high school this June under home school (program) at Angelicum.

When it comes to choosing a guy, what do you prefer, a guy with a good sense of humor or one with dashing good looks?

I’ll go for a guy with a good sense of humor kasi sobrang madaldal ako, gusto ko yung puro katatawanan. Honestly, I’ve been meeting guys at gusto ko yung tao na nakakausap ko, na kung paano ko makipag-usap kesa dun sa napakagwapo pero di masakyan yung mga trip ko so I’d rather go for that guy with a good sense of humor. At wala naman siguro ganung kapangit, it’s just a matter of carrying yourself and how you dress up.

Speaking of guys, is Albie Casiño, your co-star in Cassandra, courting you?

Albie and I are good friends now especially after the Cebu (trip) where we have shared a lot...marami kaming napagkwentuhan. He’s not courting me. Nakikita namin ang isa’t isa as friends and we are both happy with that.