Miles Ocampo grateful to land first lead role after cancer battle

MANILA, Philippines — When the character of Princess was offered to Miles Ocampo in the TV5 series “Padyak Princess,” she couldn’t help but feel emotional about it. For the first time, she takes on a lead role in a series produced by TV5, Cignal TV, and APT Entertainment.

Miles recalled to The STAR and another publication that she cried after the team mentioned to her about the acting project last December. “Fast forward to January this year, they presented to me (the project). After the presentation, my first question was, ‘Are you sure? Is this really for me?’”

She, nevertheless, got excited and felt grateful to the producers for entrusting her with a major project such as “Padyak Princess.” “It’s my first time to be given this kind of project… I felt blessed to be granted with this huge project. Kung tutuusin, I’m just new to TV5. But to be entrusted with this great project, it’s a big deal for me and grabe yung pressure for me.”

Helmed by Easy Ferrer, “Padyak Princess,” tells the story of Princess, a charming and determined young woman who dreams of someday reviving her family’s reputation and her barangay’s golden days.

To make ends meet for her family, Princess must step up as the breadwinner. As Princess’ story unfolds, she faces life’s challenges with courage, determination, and a dash of humor.

The series airs Mondays to Fridays at 11:15 a.m. beginning tomorrow, June 10, with same day catch-up on BuKo Channel at 7:30 p.m.

Joining Miles in the show are Ara Mina, Ces Quesada, Christian Vasquez, Cris Villanueva, Yayo Aguila, Gillian Vicencio, Jameson Blake, Jem Manicad, Joao Constancia, Karissa Toliongco, Kira Balinger, David Remo, and Miel Espinoza.

Miles shared that she made some adjustments to meet the physical demands of her character as a “padyak” driver, given her health condition. It can be recalled that the actress was diagnosed with Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma and underwent surgery last year.

“I know how to bike. Kasi padyak naman so tatlo ang gulong. But there are adjustments because ngayon lang ulit ako nag-work ng super, super requires physical (activity). So I should be ready.

“I just came from an operation and all. So matagal po akong napahinga in this kind of work. In my first three tapings, talagang mabibigla lalo na po padyak and the weather is really hot.”

Citing the high heat index, Miles said that it was a challenge for her, the crew and other production teams who were also filming outdoors. “It requires patience. And of course, water (to stay hydrated), No. 1 kakampi talaga kasi aside from that, you have to be emotionally and mentally prepared, too.”

“I now feel that I’m an expert magpadyak. Parang kahit sabi po nilang liko sa kanan, I could do it. It’s fun because it’s also my first time to have a project like this. I’m grateful to my team since they know my situation, nakabantay naman po sila, (they would always check on me) if I’m OK.”

Miles further shared her past health struggles and how she overcame them.

Miles with the ensemble cast of the ‘Padyak Princess’ series

“Before, when I would not be feeling well, (I would say), ‘It’s OK, it’s normal.’ But now, I’ve become more conscious (of my health), especially now that I’m taking maintenance (medicines) for life. I also do regular blood tests,” she maintained.

She is thankful to her doctor who is still monitoring her health condition until now. “Because with my case, my problem is with weight, especially after the operation, it was really tough.

“(On TV, you look) plus 10 pounds. And then with this line of work, kailangan payat tayong lahat. It reached a point that I got exhausted. I said, I always worry about my weight, ito na lang ba yung concern ko always?”

The “Eat Bulaga” co-host’s battle with cancer happened while she was filming Metro Manila Film Festival 2023 movie “A Family of Two,” opposite Alden Richards.

“I told them, ‘You want me to be partnered with Alden? Baka mamaya sabihin nila parang ako nanay ni Alden.’ Direk Nuel (Crisostomo Naval) told me, ‘We chose you because of your talent hindi dahil sa hitsura mo.’”

Later on, Miles had learned to accept and embrace her situation. She reflected, “Like this is one of the things that I couldn’t control no matter how I diet. Kahit anong gawin ko, hindi ko siya ma-control. So I learned to love, embrace (it) because at the end of the day, as long as I’m doing the right thing, I don’t step on someone’s toes, I’m good.”

Miles also admitted she got to a point where she became depressed because of her weight. “Like wala na akong masuot na damit. Like kahit anong anggulo wala talaga. Yung hirap na hirap ako.”

She felt insecure on how to dress up herself, saying, “Because I had to hide everything especially after my operation and radiation na talagang lobo talaga ako. I learned to accept na papayat, tataba ako because of my maintenance meds. I learned to embrace (my physical appearance).”

Moreover, to the people who might be going through the same thing, the actress offered these words of encouragement: “Don’t be afraid. I have to admit, when I was younger, meron ako like nararamdaman but of course pipilitin at pipilitin natin ibalewala yun, especially when we are scared of going to the hospitals like me.

“But at the end of the day, we wouldn’t know what we feel unless we do checkups. It is very important that when you feel something na iba, pag may naramdaman ka ng mali, you go for a checkup because you are the only one who knows kung ano yung nararamdaman ng katawan mo.”

Meanwhile, when queried about her relationship status with ex-boyfriend Elijah Canlas, Miles simply said she and Elijah are “happy” but did not elaborate on their real score.

“We’re happy. That’s all I want to share. The two of us are happy. I feel like with what has happened, mas gusto na lang naming tahimik na lang ngayon.”

“I felt that hindi naman kailangan malaman ng lahat as long as kung ano po yung nakikita niyo na we’re happy, we’re happy,” she reiterated and added that she is very careful to answer such question because she doesn’t want others to think that she is using the issue to promote her show.

“I just want to say that we’re happy right now. At kung ano man po yung nangyari sa amin, it’s between the two of us. Kumbaga di rin naman kami madamot. Kung ano po yung kaya namin i-share, we will share it. But for now, we’re happy,” she concluded.