Ysabel Ortega marks a new turning point in her career

MANILA, Philippines — Like her fellow Sparkle talents Miguel Tanfelix and Yasser Marta, Ysabel Ortega has welcomed and embraced a new turning point in her promising career. That is scoring a lead role after playing support characters like that of a sister of Alden Richards’ Joseph-Sep in The Gift.

Ysabel immerses in the personal and professional life of a private nurse Cynthia, with the aspiration to give her family a good life, in What We Could Be, airing weeknights after Lolong. The young actress has leading men in Miguel and Yasser.

“This is going to be my first lead,” said Ysabel of the latest milestone in her showbiz life during a recent virtual group interview, held prior to the show’s premiere. “Voltes V (Legacy in which I am also part of) is going to be (aired) next year. So, this is technically my very first time to be a lead in a show.”

Ysabel, along with Miguel, started their work first in the GMA live adaptation of the iconic Japanese animé TV series before they were tapped as a new loveteam in What We Could Be. Given Voltes V: Legacy’s visual and special effects, its premiere is set in 2023.

“We were in the middle of shooting a different show,” shared Ysabel on how she got wind of the What We Could Be project. “Definitely, I was so grateful. While I was reading the synopsis of the story, I got really excited because it’s a new story, it’s a beautiful story. And then, when we heard the other cast who would join us, parang unti-unti kong nakikitang nabubuo yung show sa isip ko. That made me even more excited.” For playing Cynthia, a breather from her Voltes V: Legacy character Jamie Robinson, Ysabel had a screen test with Miguel and Yasser and finally met the ensemble cast during the story con.

Ysabel is thrilled to star in the drama romance and to see her work on the screen because her last teleserye acting stint was in The Gift before the pandemic.

“I’m just so grateful,” said she. “I’m so grateful that they (GMA) have given me the opportunity to star in this show.” She added that she is pressured and at the same time, proud of the series she, Miguel, Yasser and a host of established and new actors have done.

“I think it’s a turning point and it’s definitely very exciting for me,” said Ysabel, who, like Miguel, was announced early this year as part of Sparkle 8 or next brightest stars. What We Could Be is the very first collaboration between Ysabel and Miguel as screen partners.

Ysabel with co-stars and leading men (from left) Miguel Tanfelix and Yasser Marta.

Looking back on, Ysabel can also attest that the pandemic has tested everyone’s patience, and resilience, as many can also add. This remains true in the new normal because opportunities seem few and far between for some.

“Definitely, the pandemic is a test of patience,” said she. “We were supposed to start shooting with Voltes (V: Legacy) before the pandemic. (The work) got delayed. I think we are more than a year in production. Definitely, it’s a test of patience, but it’s really making the most of your time for you to improve and grow.” Ysabel suggested that shuttling from Voltes V: Legacy set to another is also a test of patience, especially when everybody has a deadline and timeline to meet, as one may put it.

If there’s another lesson that she has learned from it all, it will be the realization that, “if it’s meant for you, it’s meant for you,” said Ysabel. “I just enjoyed every single day and I’m just grateful that I have work, I’m grateful that despite everything that’s happening, natatawid pa rin yung mga kailangang itawid (we are able to accomplish projects that need to be done) and one of that is this series.”

With her screen partnership with Miguel, many are interested to know their level of closeness and the real score between her and the teen heartthrob-turned-serious leading man.

“We’re really just trying to enjoy the moment,” said she. “Hindi naman kami nagmamadali, yun basta po masaya kami ngayon and yun nag-e-enjoy lang po (We’re not in a hurry, we’re both happy. We’re just enjoying the moment.).”

With her lead role in What We Could Be, Ysabel has begun to expand her acting horizons and is ready to play more.