Shayne Sava being groomed as new-generation soap star

Groomed to be their generation’s soap opera stars are Shayne Sava and Althea Ablan, the headliners of GMA 7’s family drama, AraBella. Each, however, has been given a particular task to strengthen grip and grasp of acting.

Althea takes the road-less-traveled bida-kontrabida (protagonist-antagonist), while Shayne treads on the familiar and also challenging path of bida.

Shayne’s Ara and Althea’s Bella are in stark contrast, personality- and social standing-wise, but they both long for a mother’s attention and love.

AraBella is Shayne’s follow-up to her previous Kapuso Afternoon Prime drama, Raising Mamay, in which she portrayed Abigail, whose mother experienced age regression-regressive behavioral disorder. Prior to her latest show, she also had appearances in the weekly drama anthology, Regal Studio Presents.

“Actually, until now, siyempre sobrang nakakataba ng puso na na-a-appreciate po nila yung ginagawa mo and sobra po nilang nakikita yung talent mo (Of course, it’s so heartwarming that they appreciate the work that I’m doing and my talent),” said the Sparkle GMA Artist Center young actress of her participation in AraBella, which sharpens her skills when it comes to drama and introduces her and Althea as drama princesses, in a recent virtual media conference.

“Naniniwala sila sa kakayahan mo, sa abilidad mo (The people behind your career believe in your ability). I just want to thank everyone.”

Aside from having a grateful heart, Shayne is reciprocating the management’s trust and confidence by having the mindset to “keep on improving po, mas gawin po naming motivation para mas lalo po kaming mag-improve (we should use it as a motivation to improve ourselves), mas lalo pa po naming galingan sa mga susunod na gagawin naming proyekto (we should do better in our next project).”

Her ensemble acting stint in Legal Wives and leading role in Raising Mamay, to some extent, did prepare her to understand the emotional breadth of Ara. And so, she could take up the challenges posed by playing the character.

“With Ara, (I think her) scenes in AraBella (are) more extreme, as compared to the ones (I’ve done before for my characters) in Raising Mamay and Legal Wives,” said she. “What we have seen so far is just a clip, but if you will watch the entire show, masasabi ninyo po talaga na grabe yung mga scenes (you can say that the scenes are really challenging).”

As for the hurdles her character will go through, Shayne shared that Ara’s are like a roller-coaster ride, “her emotions are more intense,” added she.

Working on the set of any TV series can be likened to a school, replete with conversations about the craft and show business, for newbies like Shayne. She is lucky to be in the company of veterans Nova Villa, Ronnie Lazaro, Camille Prats, Alfred Vargas and Wendell Ramos.

“They are very giving, mapagbigay po sila. They will really help you and give you pieces of advice, let’s say an actor’s cue, they will tell you to just take your time,” said she.

“With Ate Cams (Camille), it’s my first time working with her in a teleserye… ang ganda po ng mata ni Ate Cams, as in (they are) very expressive. When you look into her eye, you will feel the emotion (of her character). Once na tumingin ka lang sa mga mata niya, na-iiyak ka na agad. It’s a very humbling experience.”

Shayne has learned the best practices firsthand and is amazed at how experienced actors deliver the work.

“Actually, kapag nakaka-eksena po namin sina Tita Nova and Tito Ronnie parang hindi po siya work (whenever we do a scene with them, it doesn’t feel like work),” she recalled.

“Yung mga batuhan nila (ng lines), sobrang witty po nila kahit wala sa script (Their exchanges of lines, they’re so witty, even when they’re not in the script)… dati po napapanood ko lang sila sa TV, ngayon kasama ko na sila (I used to just watch them on TV and now, I’m joining them in a show). So, it’s such an honor for me to be with them.”

Given the characterization of Ara and the latter’s plight of being in confrontation with Bella, Shayne will be seen in physically-demanding and emotionally-charged scenes.

“I think most of them are really challenging,” said she. “Abangan ninyo po yung AraBella at makikita ninyo po kung gaano ka-challenging yung mga ginawa ko talaga (Please watch the show and judge for yourself how challenging my work was).”

Although it is too early to tell, or should I say reveal, but Shayne generously shared that what she considered the most challenging part of playing Ara was in the ending, or the series of events leading towards the finale if one may add.

AraBella is now airing weekdays at 3:25 p.m.