It’s been a year since Ryza Cenon became a Kapamilya with her remarkable performance as Aubrey in FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano serving as her debut acting project in ABS-CBN. She is now seen weeknights in The General’s Daughter as Jessie, one of the contravidas in the life of Angel Locsin’s Rhian.
Her sweet demeanor works to her advantage. Ryza can become your ideal woman in one acting project and your most hated character in another. But between the two, many are convinced Ryza is perfect for villain roles.
She broke into her sweetest smile in appreciation of the positive observation before telling yours truly how enjoyable it is for her to portray such roles than the meek and mild personality of a bida. “Never did I dream about becoming a bida or contravida. What I wanted is to be a good actress. Perhaps, I am best at being bad because I enjoy doing that kind of character; nalalaro mo ‘yung character di kagaya ng bida na plain lang ‘yung character na kailangan lang maaawa ‘yung tao sa ‘yo.”
Ryza’s career began when she joined a talent search on GMA 7. That was 15 years ago. Fast forward to the present. Ryza is happy and proud of her achievements yet she stressed that not much has changed when it comes to her lifestyle. “I still am the same person who is so simple. Kumbaga, lahat natutunan ko (pero) never akong nagmadali sa career ko. I don’t have any insecurities in my body na kung may umangat man kaysa sa akin, ‘Okay, congrats,’” she said during her guesting on Tonight with Boy Abunda (TWBA).
Even when she is praised for her acting performance, Ryza remains humble. According to her, she puts a lot of effort in studying her character, especially now that she is acting alongside finest actors, among them is Angel Locsin.
“The fight scenes with Ate Angel, I must be prepared all the time,” she pointed out.
Apart from acting, Ryza is also into painting and archery. She, too, is good at saving her hard-earned money through “the jar technique.” She has two jars where she keeps P50 bills in one jar and P20 bills in another one. After filling them up, the total amount goes straight to the bank. In fact, she just recently deposited around P60,000 to P70,000 “without me realizing that I’ve saved that amount in those jars.”
But when it comes to love, Ryza has realized that one should not invest all her emotions in the relationship. “Kailangan magtira ka sa sarili mo kasi pag hindi, nawawala ka hanggang sa hindi mo na kilala yung sarili mo,” she explained without going into details about the end of her two-year love affair with Cholo Barretto.
Never mind if they are together in The General’s Daughter. “I have moved on so it’s not difficult for me to work with him. Besides, I don’t take my personal (issues) at work. Are we friends? I can’t tell but I’m not closing any doors at ayoko din magsalita ng tapos pero sa ngayon I’m not yet ready to make friends (with him).”
On a lighter note, Ryza gamely revealed more about herself in Fast Talk:
Give or take?
“Give.”
Heart or mind?
“Both.”
Sakal? Sampal?
“Sampal.”
Embrace? Kiss?
“Embrace.”
Darna? Valentina?
“Darna.”
KathNiel? JoshLia? LizQuen?
“KathNiel.”
Who are you closer with — Angel Locsin or Angelica Panganiban?
“They are both angels in my life.”
Sino mas angas — Rhian o Cardo?
“Magkaiba sila, eh.”
It’s your free day, where would you go?
“In the mountains.”
Who are you with?
“My friends.”
Ugaling kinaiinisan ng lola mo?
“Di ako kumikibo.”
If you are a dessert, what would you be?
“Chocolate cake.”
Sexiest Kapamilya actor.
“JC de Vera.”
Sexiest part of your body.
“My eyes.”
Lights on or lights off?
“It can be both.”
Does size matter?
“It doesn’t matter, hahahaha.”