In 2013, they both auditioned to play the title role in Sigrid Andrea Bernardo’s acclaimed debut film, “Huling Chacha ni Anita”. They were the last two choices who competed for the plum role and, in the end, it was Therese (still then using the name Teri) who was selected and she went on to win the Cine Filipino Filmfest best actress award, edging out actresses who are much older than her, including Nora Aunor.
Since then, Therese has won many other awards for such films as “Batang Hamog”, “School Service”, “Ilawod” and an international best actress plum from the Moscow International Filmfest for “Hamog”. Does she plan to eat Kyline alive in their scenes together in “Inagaw na Bituin”?
“Naku, kahit kailan, hindi ko intensiyong sapawan ang sinumang kaeksena ko,” she says. “I just do my best, always. Magaling din naman si Kyline kaya hindi siya basta-basta magpapalamon sa kahit kaninong kaeksena niya.”Doesn’t she mind that she plays the villain in the story? “Not at all. Hindi pa naman ako nagbida sa TV, puro supporting lang ako before, so big challenge nga itong ‘Inagaw ng Bituin’ dahil mahaba yung role ko at very challenging talaga as Arielle, na spoiled brat at laging nagmamaldita kay Kyline. Actually, bida-kontrabida siya, e. I’m sure maiinis sa’kin ang viewers dito, but I’m really thankful to GMA-7 for giving me this break.”
It’s being predicted that she and Kyline will really be competitors even off cam. What can she say about this? “Siguro po, hindi maiiwasang pagkumparahin kami. But as long as it’s a professional kind of rivalry, okay lang naman. I think makakatulong din yun para mas maging interested ang mga tao sa aming siya so we will have a long run on the air. As it is, parang may pressure sa amin kasi ang taas ng expectations sa show so we just promise to do our very best para magustuhan ito ng mga tao.”
“Inagaw na Bituin” will start airing on Monday on GMA’s Afternoon Prime to replace “Ika-5 Utos” that ends this Friday.
