Showbiz has been one long learning process for former Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) teen housemates Joshua Garcia, 17 and Loisa Andalio, 16, two of the cast members of the successful Kapamilya Gold teleserye Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita.
In the show, Joshua and Loisa are joined by more senior actors, including Vina Morales, Christian Vasquez and Denise Laurel, and from them — and their directors — the two have been learning a lot. Joshua, for instance, candidly admits that a certain emotionally-heavy scene required more than 20 takes to perfect and it definitely wasn’t easy for him. Loisa also had her share of hardships adjusting to the demands of her role and the show. “At first, I had so much difficulty acting out my character. I had a lot of takes, di ko mabilang eh,” laughs Joshua. “Pero kaya naman po, masaya ako kasi nakita naman po ng mga kasama ko, nag-improve po ako.”
Loisa says she had a similar challenge. But the encouragement they received from their co-workers helped. “Sa akin po, nung Day 1 po, sobrang hirap po na ‘yung character. I had no acting experience that’s why I went through a lot of difficulty. My directors helped me, so did my co-artists. That’s why I was all the more encouraged to do better.”
Their fans are thrilled by the fact that they are working together, and as a result of that, became more close to each other. Their chemistry and kilig factor is evident. But Joshua and Loisa say that right now, they’re so focused on their work that it leaves little room for anything else, including developing relationships. The most important thing for them is to improve and become the best possible actors they can be, even if this is their first-ever show on television. Of course, it’s nice that they have already established some rapport that began in PBB and extends to their working relationship outside. For now, though, work takes precedence. “We’re focused on our work. But you just can’t help but feel comfortable with each other.”
Both are very grateful to the more experienced actors they are working with. Says Loisa: “Sa akin po, sobrang blessed ko po na nakatrabaho ko po sila, kasi dati po napapanood ko lang po sila.” At the same time, she feels a certain bit of pressure whenever they’re on the set or have scenes together. “Nakaka-pressure din po pag sila po yung ka-eksena ko, pero tinutulungan po nila ako sa bawat eksena.”
“Sobrang thankful po ako simula sa artista hanggang sa mga director, mga assistant director, kasi bago sumalang dati, kinakabahan ako kasi baka maka-ilang take na naman,” she says. “That’s why I ask the advice of the assistant directors, the directors on how to do things correctly. I’m very thankful for all that Sir Christian, Ms. Vina and Ms. Denise shared with me so as to improve the scenes.”
And already, their hard work is paying off. Nasaan Ka Nang Kailangan Kita, which was originally projected to run for only 20 weeks, has been extended because of the good feedback from the public.
Cathy Camarillo, one of their two directors on the show (the other is Mervyn Brondial), says that the teen stars have been improving a lot. “Well, with our teen stars, I’m satisfied so far with what they’ve shown us. The mere fact that they’re doing their best, and have the willingness to give their best na nakikita ngayon because of the high ratings, only shows that we caught the viewers’ interest because of their hard work.”
She does have some advice for them. “What I can say is, try your very best to still do more. Do it na ma-satisfy yung sarili n’yo. And as a director, I will try my very best also to capture those moments and guide you. So, hopefully, through this journey, you learn from this, you learn your craft, in a very, very careful way. So, marami pa kayong ibang madadaanan at marami pa kayong ibang mae-experience, and take this opportunity, and grab and claim it, and be very blessed, and share this to everyone. “