Zonia, Jamir finally get the break they’ve been waiting for

MANILA, Philippines — When an opportunity knocks on your door, as they say, you must grab it and take your chance. This is what Zonia Mejia and Jamir Zabarte did when their first teleserye Heartful Café as part of the main cast presented itself to them, given the new normal set-up of taping these days.

“I never had second thoughts of accepting it,” said Zonia in a recent virtual interview. “It’s a big opportunity.”

“I never had second thoughts, too,” added Jamir. “In fact, I got excited when I learned about it. I told myself, ‘Eto na, eto na ‘yun.’”

For Zonia and Jamir, playing Sol Fulgencio and Buddy Portales, respectively, in the GMA primetime romantic drama series is the break they’ve been waiting for to jumpstart their careers.

Zonia recalled it was her handler who encouraged the young star to audition for the loud and sarcastic cousin role of Heart (played by Julie Anne San Jose). “I did my best and I’m happy that I was chosen to play Sol,” she said.

As for Jamir, he would always give every opportunity, like that of the boy-next-door Buddy role, a try. “Alam ko na (ang) GMA (ay) hindi magkukulang sa pag-provide ng safety ng mga talents nila (I know it would always put first the safety of their talents),” he added. Zonia shared that they went on a bubble for almost one month and taped scenes for two lock-ins.

Prior to their Heartful Café stint, Zonia had guest appearances in Sahaya and Mars Pa More, while Jamir had his in AOS (All-Out Sundays). He used to be a TV and print commercial model and lend his talent to campaigns for beverage, fast-food and snacks brands.

At the rate where the personal narratives of their characters are going, Zonia and Jamir seem to be groomed as a possible Kapuso loveteam.

“Perhaps, it’s a testing ground,” said Zonia. “Ngayon lang kami nagkatrabaho as partners in Heartful Café at ngayon din lang kami nagkakila through the show (It was our first time to work together, and only through the show, we got to know one another).”

“What I can say is we’re OK as partners,” added Jamir. “We’re comfortable with each other. The viewers also make comments on (our tandem) and say malakas yung chemistry. We’re happy with the result of the work we’ve done. I think we’ve become effective in playing our roles (and in the eyes of the) viewers. Like I always say, the loveteam won’t work if (the partners are) not comfortable with each other.”

In a way, Heartful Café has become Zonia and Jamir’s playground to show their acting mettle and see for themselves how they will fare.

“I want to explore more by playing different roles in teleseryes,” said she, who sees herself doing fantasy roles in the future and dreams of portraying a mermaid character. “I’m open to any roles given to me. Of course, (I would gladly accept them because) those are opportunities. I (also) want to do drama. I want to know what else I can do and what else I can still learn. Every day gives us an opportunity to learn. Gusto kong pong i-test din yung sarili ko kung kaya ko ba?”

Jamir, on his part, prefers to do more romance. They also both wished to become partners in their next project. “In Heartful Café, hindi naman namin pinlano na ito ang gawin namin na para kiligin sila (we didn’t plan to do things this way to get viewers romantically thrilled with us),” he said. “Lumabas lang (yun), nagkulitan lang kami sa scene, hindi kami nagplano (we didn’t plan to make the characters appear romantic). Sana sa next project, magkasama pa rin kami.”

The previous episodes of Heartful Café have shown the vulnerable side of Sol by focusing on her “tampo sa Mama (niya),” as Zonia put it. “Since then, my character has become bitter about love. Her parents got separated.” Viewers will also feel excited once Sol opens her heart to the possibilities of falling in love. “What’s interesting to watch is how she will handle it. Will she accept or deny it?” added Zonia.

As for Buddy, Jamir just managed to post questions: “Will he also become bitter towards love or will he continue to fall in love? or How will he react to the situation that fate has placed him?”

What has been written in the stars is that dreamers like Zonia and Jamir have a place in the business of show. They need to patiently wait for the right time and the right opportunity to come. The GMA Artist Center talents know that well.

“Hindi rin ganun kadali kung paano maging artista (It’s not that easy to become an actress and have a career in showbiz),” said Zonia. “I’m very happy in every opportunity that will come my way. I’m very grateful to those people (who make things possible for me).”

“I’m also very grateful because a lot did audition for my role,” Jamir concluded. “I’m happy with how things are going in my career. Go with the flow and attract (that good things will come my way).”

(Watch Heartful Café weeknights after First Yaya.)