A surprise ending for My Destiny?

MANILA, Philippines - “The script arrives per day. We don’t know what will happen and we even get surprised,” explained Carla Abellana why she couldn’t give any hint on tonight’s finale episode of GMA 7’s My Destiny, when members of the press interviewed her early this week. “As of the moment, there’s conflict and tension. You don’t know how (it) will turn out.”

What the fans don’t know is, Carla and fellow stars are as excited as they are in finding out the twists and turns in the story.

“It keeps us guessing,” said Carla. “It’s unpredictable and it can also be difficult because we can’t prepare ahead of time. We cannot anticipate (what comes next or what comes after). At least, there’s gulat factor.”

So, what’s in the pipeline for Carla after My Destiny? Carla will star in Shake, Rattle & Roll 15. Fans can still catch her in Ismol Family and Sunday All Stars. If there’s anything the televiewers will miss, it will be the Tom Rodriguez and Carla tandem that started in My Husband’s Lover.

“We’re OK. Off-cam, we’re the same,” said Carla of her budding friendship with Tom. “On-cam, our characters ay parang ayaw talaga silang pagtagpuin ng tadhana, kahit anong mangyari. Sobrang dami na humahadlang sa kanila (Fate seems not on their side and a lot of things hinder them from being together). We’re friends. We’re special friends, like Rhian (Ramos). We’re special friends. Rhian and I treat each other like sisters. (As for Tom and I) hindi kami, wala talaga. Nanliligaw, matagal na. (He’s been courting me). Sana makalabas kami, mag-date man lang. (I hope we can go out and dine.)”

Is she ready to get into a relationship?

“I wouldn’t know,” answered Carla. “Buti kung may time akong mag-isip. (I hope I have time to think). Wala akong inisip ngayon kundi schedule, the script, my character. Maybe, if I have alone time.”

Whether she and Tom are destined to become more than friends, Carla can’t deny the good qualities of Tom. “He is a family-oriented man,” she said. “He knows the things he wants to achieve in the future. He is goal-oriented and grounded.”

With the good rapport the two have established, Carla is open to the idea of working with Tom again.

“It depends on how good the project is,” she says. “(If it is good,) why not? We will accept it (granting that) maganda ang takbo ng istorya, maganda ang kwento. Sana maganda yung next (project) na i-o-offer. Yes, of course, I’m willing to work with him again.”

Among today’s young stars, Carla belongs to that few who finished their college education before venturing into showbiz. Many consider it the ideal path for newbies.

“It could be. No. 1, you are secured,” she said. “What happens in your showbiz career, you’ll have a fall back. If showbiz is not for you for the rest of your life, at least may panghahawakan ka na education. No. 2, maturity-wise, it could be. When I entered showbiz, I was already 23. You can stand on your own. Mas malakas ka, mas-mature ka na. Your parents don’t need to accompany you.”

Carla’s background in psychology comes in handy in her TV and movie work.

“It does help not only in dealing with people around, but also in approaching your character,” she shared, “(like) how you will attack it, what background you can create for your character.”

This is the reason why Carla encourages stars to study or resume their schooling.

“Madami ngayong artista na pumapasok sila at nag-ta-taping sila. Puyat, puyat sila. I know some (stars) who were able to study and work at the same time. And those I work with na nag-aaral, i-ni-encourage ko talaga. I know anytime you feel giving up, but you have to finish it,” she said.

Whether fate will be on her character’s side (Grace) or not, Carla said she still believes in destiny. “They are some things we can’t explain na nangyayari for some (strange) reason.”