Not too many ‘Miles’ away from stardom

MANILA, Philippines – With over a hundred artists in the stable of ABS-CBN’s Star Magic — not to mention several talents hopping in from other networks — acting projects have been coming in trickles for some of them. That’s why, Miles Ocampo cannot be thankful enough for each and every role that is given to her.

“I admit that every time there are new talents coming in, I, or anyone of us who have been in the network for a long time, cannot avoid that feeling of losing an opportunity to be given a project kasi nga may bagong dumating,” said Miles before the start of the taping of Home Sweetie Home inside the Studio 5 of ABS-CBN. “But of course, it’s up to you how long you are willing to wait. I believe that everyone has his own time and you just have to be patient.”

According to Miles, she has no qualms about portraying even “small” roles. Every project is an opportunity to pit acting talents with veteran and today’s popular stars. “What matters more to me are the things that I’m going to learn and the experience of working with acting greats. I’m happy to have a stable career right now and besides, I don’t think anything good will come out if you are in a hurry to get to the top.”

No wonder, the 19-year-old actress continues to get her fair share of the acting spotlight. Miles recently worked on three TV projects at the same time. She was one of the lead stars in the youth-oriented show Luv U. She, too, topbilled the afternoon soap And I Love You So with Julia Barretto. “Ngayon, medyo kalma lang po ako dahil ito (Home Sweetie Home) na lang po ‘yung ginagawa ko.”

With her stress-free schedule these days, Miles shared that she is planning to resume her interrupted schooling. She took a year-long leave of absence from her Theater Arts course at UP. Perhaps by the time you are reading this, Miles has already enrolled in mid-year classes with two or three subjects in order to lighten her load when regular classes begin in August.

“I’ve been working and studying at the same time since I was a kid. But it’s really different when you do tapings almost every day, so I decided to temporarily take a break from school. Now, this is the best time for me to go back to school because I only do tapings on Tuesdays. But you know, I really appreciate how my Home Sweetie Home family has been so supportive of me. Dati kasi, during the first semester, after every lunch break, I would usually rush to school and they didn’t complain about waiting for me to return to the set, especially Ate Toni (Gonzaga) and Kuya Lloydie (John Lloyd Cruz). It was absolutely okay for them to wait because they know that education is important.”

Miles entered showbiz when she was six. The TVC for a hotdog brand paved the way for her to clinch an acting offer to play the character Balding in Krystala. It was followed by a dramatic role in Mangarap Ka topbilled by Piolo Pascual and Angelica Panganiban. She also had several acting stints in Maalaala Mo Kaya. It was in 2005 when Miles joined the kiddie comedy show Goin’ Bulilit. Since then, Miles has become a familiar sight in comedy and drama shows. “I love both genres but I am still in that stage of exploring what more I can do.”

That’s why Miles considers working with popular stars an advantage to her career. She makes it a point to absorb everything that would boost her acting. “I am lucky to have worked with big-name stars like Sharon Cuneta, Lorna Tolentino, Coco Martin, Sarah Geronimo, Papa P (Piolo) and now with Tita Sandy (Andolong), Ate Toni and Kuya Lloydie. “Pag nasa set talaga ako, madalas kausap ko sila kasi marami kang matututunan sa kwento nila, hindi lang tungkol sa trabaho kundi sa totoong buhay. They never fail to remind me to love my work and Ate Toni always tells me to value education.”

On the personal front, Miles, like her character Gigi in Home Sweetie Home, is a homebody. She makes sure she spends quality time with her family whenever her schedule permits. “We usually go out and watch movies together or go out of town. Hindi ako mahilig mag-party.”

(Home Sweetie Home airs Saturday nights at 6:30.)