Article by Desa Desiree Tayting / Photos by Rhobynne Villaluna and Arah Reguyal
Make up by Sam Tungul using Yves Rocher, Hair by Paolo Castillon, Styling by Sky Gavin (Suit from Ever New)
Sang’re Pirena, Grazilda, Gladys Andrada – these characters probably made you really angry on GMA’s premiere teleseryes. All of these roles are played by none other than Glaiza de Castro, whose name you most likely associate with characters that have strong personalities or antagonist viewpoints. Beyond the roles she portrays, though, she reveals the most important roles that she has: being a daughter and a sister.
Glaiza points out that the role of family and being a part of it is most important to her. “Recently, nagkaroon kami ng familiarity workshop for a new project. Lahat kami parang isa yung naging realization – napakaimportante ng pamilya lalo na sa mundong ginagalawan namin. Ang dami mong pwedeng pasukin, pwedeng maging or pwede mong identify na sarili mo. Pero, pagbalik mo ng bahay, ireremind ka ng pamilya mo na ito ka – na anak ka, na kapatid ka. Ito yung role mo forever. Hindi yung roles mo sa TV, ‘yun yung temporary.”
She also adds that it may sound absolutely cliché by now, but her family balances her as an individual and she is grateful for that.
Aside from that and coloring her hair black again, she also shared some inspirational insights to ponder on.
On Having a Peaceful Life
Giving us hints of what Contessa, her upcoming show, will be like, Glaiza brought up this thought that got us all nodding. “Ang title nya Contessa, and I will be playing the role of Bea. Sa umpisa, simple lang naman yung gusto nya e – maging payapa lang yung buhay nya kasama yung mahal nya – si Marco. Pero minsan napaisip nga ako e, sometimes, the road to peace and to serenity is the total opposite of it. Along the way, there will be hindrances, testing your character and patience,” she continues, “then she meets this girl, Daniella, who eventually makes all things complicated in the couple’s life.”
We are all excited upon hearing about Glaiza’s new show, but it also got us thinking. IRL (in real life), it is at times true that our pursuit of peace or happiness makes us ironically unhappy. Relate?
Top and Pants from Etam, Shoes from Parfois
On the Importance of Having Down Time
Her answer on the question ‘What do you usually do during your down time?’ got us interested. “Tumulala”, she laughs, “Minsan talaga, I appreciate those moments na nabibigyan ako ng chance na hindi mag-isip. Bilang yung trabaho namin ay laging nag-iisip, laging gumagalaw. I appreciate that – tipong immobile lang ako tapos tipong inaabsorb ko lang yung nangyayari sa paligid ko.”
Anybody who gets busy and stuck in life at times can relate on how precious these moments are. We already got a hint on how she avoids stress, folks!
On Accepting Challenges and Learning from Them
Glaiza gets excited whenever she gets a challenging role, be it playing the role of Pirena in Encantandia or getting the role of Cinderella’s stepsister Grazilda and understanding their viewpoints. “Gusto ko yung challenge na ‘yun as an actress – paano ko pag-iibahin yung atake ko, yung characterization, kung paano ko to iibahin sa mga nagawa ko na before. Gusto ko yung challenge na ‘yun – na mahihirap at complex yung characters na binibigay sakin. I think naeenjoy ko yung uncertainty dun sa character, kung pano ko sya bubuoin at kung ano yung kakalabasan nya,” she shares how she likes that she’s learning from the characters she portrays and that she looks forward to her new project, “I think magiging masayang journey to, especially with the help of my directors and other casts.”
While many of sometimes avoid tough times in life, this girl inspires us to face them all and use them as lessons.
Top and Pants from Etam, Shoes from Parfois
Talking with Glaiza has enlightened us and shown us that actors are normal people, too. Now, we have an idea about how she does it on TV! May you draw some inspiration from her, too.
