Shy Carlos: I’m also curious who Bob Ong really is

Like the thousands (nay, millions?) who read Bob Ong’s books, Shy Carlos is also curious who the “mysterious” author is.

“It’s ironic because I’m one of the stars of a movie based on one of his books,” admitted Shy, 20, who started in commercials (more than 20) as a child and resurfaced after a few years of absence, appeared in both the three top networks, became a member of the Pop Girls band (with Nadine Lustre) and now as one of the contract stars of Viva.

“Truth to tell,” continued Shy, “I haven’t read any of Bob Ong’s books but I’ve been wondering who he is since I started reading the Lumayo script. I asked people at Viva but they only shook their heads and broke into a guess-who smile. I suspect that they know but they just wouldn’t tell.”

Like Sarah Lahbati, Shy, 20, was born to a Swiss father and a Filipina mother. She’s a dead-ringer for George Clooney’s human-rights lawyer-wife Amal Alamuddin. But contrary to her name, she is not shy at all. In fact, Shy is outgoing, an engaging talker who has chosen the right course, Consular & Diplomatic Affairs (junior at La Salle St. Benilde). She should get a job in diplomacy after she graduates.

Other Lumayo stars (from left): Benjie Paras, Paolo Ballesteros, Cristine Reyes and Jayson Gainza

“I love comedy,” said Shy who stole the scenes from her co-stars in the Star Cinema movie Hopeless Romantic. “At first, I felt conscious doing comedy until I realized I’m comfortable in that genre.”

Viva Films’ Lumayo Ka Nga sa Akin is a comedy, action, romance, horror and drama rolled into one. It’s a trilogy spoof of the commercial filmmaking in the Philippines with three directors: Mark Meily for the episode Bala sa Bala, Kamao sa Kamao, Satsat sa Satsat (with Benjie Paras and Candy Pangilinan), about only two guys who survived a massacre right after his church wedding; Andoy Ranay for Shake, Shaker, Shakest, about a middle-class family stranded in a haunted house; and Chris Martinez for Asawa ni Marie, a soap-opera comedy about a love quadrangle among a farm girl (Cristine Reyes) and two brothers who own the farm.

Shy plays the daughter of Maricel Soriano and Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista in the Shake episode.

“It was fun shooting the episode,” said Shy. “You can see it in the movie’s trailer. Our characters exaggerate the horror scenes that we see in local movies. Watch the movie; you will enjoy it. Masaya, nakakatawa. Kami nga, we couldn’t stop laughing on the set.”

How was it working with Maricel and Herbert?

“Enjoyable! They were supportive. At first, I was intimidated but they had a way of making me feel at ease. Masayang kasama sa set. Off camera, we were relaxed. Mayor Herbert is fond of making you gulat, mapang-asar. I discovered something about Mayor Herbert — where his kiliti is.” Asked where, Shy revealed, “All over his body, hahaha!!! Malayo pa ang kamay mo nakikiliti na siya.”

A big Viva project for TV5 is set for Shy — Carlo J. Caparas’ Tasya Fantasya (the girl with excessively thick eyebrows) which was first played by Kris Aquino in a movie and then by Yasmien Kurdi in a GMA show.

“I haven’t seen the movie and the GMA show,” said Shy, “and I hope to play the role in a different way.”

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