Denise Laurel: Being independent at a young age

MANILA, Philippines - It was not an easy way up for Denise Laurel here in showbiz.

She started in year 1999 on the afternoon show “Ang TV.” Since then, she has been part of several shows portraying a supporting role. But from these small roles, Denise’s talents were slowly noticed.

She actually became a regular in the ABS-CBN’s “Precious Hearts Romances” episodes, and now part of the primetime series “Annaliza. These series of shows caused some to assume her success has something to do with her family’s influence.

There have been reports that she has a successful career because she’s one of the network’s stockholders — which she denies.

“Actually hindi ko alam kung mapipikon ako dun o hindi,” she said with a laugh. “I’ve earned everything that I have. My parents have always been there if I need anything, but that’s because they’re great parents. Pero the moment I started working, everything that I owned pinag-ipunan ko yun.”

She then relates that since she was in high school, she taught herself how to be thrifty. She even joined showbiz because she wanted to prove to her parents that she can support herself.

“Even when I’m not yet an artista, if you want something that is not a need, pag-ipunan mo gamit ang allowance mo,” she recalls.

“When I started working, I put myself through high school because I wanted to surprise my parents — everything that I have, if it’s not a gift na pinaghirapan ko, pinag-ipunan ko yun.”

Though her family is against her plan of joining showbiz, Denise remained firm with her decision.

“I have to show them how much I wanted it, how far I could go and how much I could achieve by being independent dahil yun ang turo nila sa akin,” she said.