Karina Bautista builds her career slowly but surely

MANILA, Philippines — In case you haven’t noticed, Karina Bautista is among the most visible young Kapamilya talents these days. Apart from acting — her last being in the star-studded drama series Viral Scandal — Karina also performs in the Sunday variety show ASAP Natin ‘To. Netizens have also seen her doing hosting chores in the Kapamilya online reality show Bida Star.

In a recent media gathering, Karina expressed happiness at the rate things are going in her showbiz career. The Pinoy Big Brother alum said she has been blessed with projects that allow her to showcase her talent in front of the cameras.

However, showbiz-watchers have observed that a lead character role has remained elusive for her. Does it mean that she’s not ready for it yet?

“I always believe that there is no such word (excuse) as ‘parang hindi pa ready sa industriyang ito’ because when the offer comes, one must grab it or else it would mean as a lost opportunity if you say you’re not ready yet,” said Karina, who first had her share of the showbiz spotlight in 2018 as housemate in Bahay ni Kuya.

“Since no bida role has been offered to me yet, I am preparing for it now. Just in case such a role comes, (I’m ready). Well, I have to admit that the thought (of playing bida) would occasionally cross my mind. But I am not in a hurry though. I’m not at that point of being obsessed about it. I will let things be. If it will happen, it will happen.”

Her stint in Viral Scandal, she added, served as her training ground in acting. “It has taught me a lot of things that’s why I’m super thankful. I’ve seen my growth and improvement both as a person and as an actress.”

She, too, was grateful for being able to form friendships with her co-stars like Dimples Romana, who is known to be generous in giving acting tips and words of encouragement to young actors. Perhaps, Karina has heeded most of Dimples’ pieces of advice.

“You know, when you look at Dimples Romana, you can always say that she’s the mother of all the young actresses — from Kathryn Bernardo to Julia Montes — and all the other young kids before who are now teen stars, while the others are already big stars.

“’Yung pag-bibigay naman n’ya ng advice, hindi naman n’ya super na i-ne-explain na o dapat ganyan, dapat ganito. It’s just that she’s always there without being judgmental and she will just make you feel at ease by assuring you that you can do it. She’ll say, ‘Madali lang ito, kayang-kaya mo.’She brings out that quality in you na meron ka na and it’s been there since the start (of your career) just waiting to be unleashed.”

Karina is equally appreciative of the chance given to her to prove her worth as a host. In fact, beginning Sept. 5, viewers will once again witness her gift of gab in Bida Star Versus, the latest season of ABS-CBN Star Hunt’s online talent search.

Together with Anji Salvacion and first-time Bida Star host Benedix Ramos, Karina said the show’s fifth edition will see contestants (10 boys and 10 girls) competing in different challenges in singing, dancing, acting as well as impersonating.

“Mapapayo ko lang is (you should) claim it already,” began Karina on what kind of mindset a contestant must have while in the competition. “After being brave in going to the auditions, (it’s better) to just be here and actually chill and expect that you’ll stay long in this competition. You have to embody it and you have to think that you’re a winner already — feel like a winner and actually work like a winner — because if you want to win, you should look at yourself and see if there are improvements in what you do.”

“And you just have to keep on fighting. When you fail, don’t take it too hard — just laugh about it. Ako, ‘yung iniiyakan ko noong 16 (years old) ako, hahahaha. I know now that it’s really part of the process. No pain, no gain,” she concluded.

To join this year’s Bida Star Versus, auditionees must be 18 to 25 years old, male or female, Filipino citizen, and have a talent in acting or performing. They may submit their one- to two-minute self-introduction video after filling out the audition form available on formsabs-cbnbidastarversus. They may upload their video on TikTok, Facebook, Kumu Klips or YouTube with the hashtag #BidaStarVersus.