The making of a star

Isabel Oli is causing a stir among showbiz observers as the 23-year-old Cebuana is poised to be primetime TV's next hottest attraction. Isabel Oli (real name: Olivia Daytia) possesses a face that is made for television screens - ethereal, innocent yet sensual - the kind contravidas would love to persecute, the leading men would fall and fight for, and the rolling cameras would never tire of feasting their lenses on.

It was her self-assured face that illuminated a thousand light bulbs in the Meralco advertisement and the tear-strained face that tugged at heartstrings - and harked Piolo Pascual back to a promise to a childhood sweetheart, unforgettably named Isabel, in the Max's Fried Chicken commercials.

No wonder it was this face of hers that made GMA 7 bigwigs single her out among a sea of hopefuls and cast her as again, yes - Isabel. She is the comely provincial lass who Richard Gutierrez, who would be playing a dual role as twins Miguel and Amante, would lose his heart to, in the much anticipated fantasy-drama-adventure and most ambitious GMA 7 production to date "Sugo."

Wilma Galvante, VP for Entertainment, revealed in a press conference at the Music Museum last week that while working on the teledrama they were scouring for a specific look that would mirror the qualities of the "alay."

"We were looking for a face that would fit the role. Kasi yung role ng alay, ibang klase ang mukha, mabait, malambot at maamo We studied different actresses before we called her. She didn't know why we asked her to audition. She only knew it was for a soap opera," explained Galvante.

The 23-year-old, who bashfully admitted to writers from Cebu, Metro Manila, and other regions that her only other soap opera experience was acting in ABS-CBN's "It Might Be You," went on to pass all the workshops and snag the role.

But that doesn't end there. People who have so far worked with her are utterly convinced that she has more to offer that go beyond the aesthetics. Even highly esteemed director Peque Gallaga, who is the visual director of the series, boldly proclaimed that she is the country's next star.

Her towering leading man Richard, who supportively held her hand all throughout the theatrical presentation of characters, expressed that he is not at all worried by the fact that he plays opposite to a newcomer. In fact, the actor sees a lot of potential in her and finds working with her fun!

On the other hand, co-director Dominic Zapata (the other is Lore Reyes) told The FREEMAN that Isabel is "talented, a hard worker, knows what to do, not to mention soft-spoken and sweet-tempered. We just love her. I see a new star in her, and I actually told her, 'We're gonna make a star out of you, but you better make sure that you have the right attitude. Don't be a swellhead. And be ready for the deluge'."

And how right was he about the deluge. During the presscon cum first-ever collective appearance, which introduced the rest of the powerhouse cast that included Lorna Tolentino, Amy Austria, Boots Anson-Roa, Ariel Rivera, Gardo Versoza, Jestoni Alarcon, Chynna Ortaleza, among others, most of the questions were directed at the Cebuana. At one point, she shifted uncomfortably in her place, as she suddenly became the focal point of all the media attention.

She divulged later on that seasoned actresses Lorna Tolentino and Amy Austria also gave her pointers backstage; telling her to expect the worst including open reservations about her acting portfolio. Yet, as she shared her background in Tagalog with modesty and a familiar accent, to my eye, she endearingly stood out with her fresh sparkle and lack of airs.

But much expectation is heaped on her shoulders. The very existence of her character would alter the course of the lives of the twins which will be infused with a perpetual motion of twists, intense drama situations and Kung fu-inspired action scenes, according to the show's head writer RJ Nueras.

During an interview after, wherein she personally requested that we conduct it in Cebuano because she missed speaking the local dialect, Isabel, whose first appearance at GMA 7 was on "Extra Challenge," was effusive with gratitude for having been privileged enough to secure the trust of the network. The support of her co-stars is inspiring. Though she was quick to discount any blossoming romance between her and her "crush" Richard, reasoning that there is more to know about him; to her, nonetheless, the "Mulawin" superstar is one of the nicest actors around. "Wa jud ko ga-expect na kalog siya. Buotan siya nako ug sa tanan sad. Mo-ingon jud ko niya, 'Richard, tulungan mo ako ha,' ug moingon man na siya na wag daw ako mag-alala," she shared.

It helps too that her character, which grew up in Cebu (this detail specially put into the story after they discovered that she really did), does not require her to lose her accent. "In fact, it is a nice touch. It makes the show more national," direk Dominic stressed.

What a serendipitous turnout it has been for the Labangon native and Information Technology graduate of University of San Jose-Recoletos who tried modeling in Manila roughly two years ago after earning her degree because she could not proceed right away to Singapore where her parents are working because of SARS. The 5'7 tall Isabel also underscored her foray into the entertainment hub by joining "MTV Fashionista," wherein she did not win, but made a lingering impression. The world of ramp modeling was nasty to her at first: "Deadma-deadmahon lang ka, pero kung magka-commercial na ka, lahi na dayon ang tinagdan." But she has been glad she never encountered such upon stepping into showbiz.

Her love life is non-existent, she pointed out, with her last relationship having ended years ago. "Maybe because of my schedule now pero wa man sa'y nanguyab!" Isabel confessed with a giggle. An intrigue or issue about her has yet to surface, but she said: "Wala pa thank God, pero gi-ready naman nako akong self."

There's a lot of crying time to expect in the show and good thing, these are scenes that she isn't afraid to execute. "Mularga ang akong mommy ug daddykanang mingawon ko. Mao ra na akong huna-hunaon," she said when asked how she hoists herself up to meet the challenge.

She draws her everyday strength from prayer. "I pray a lot. I read the Bible. Ma-guilty ko kung di ko ka basa ug Bible," she unabashedly acknowledged, because she believes she'd never made it this far if she wasn't this blessed.

Even with the stamp of approval from her Kapuso colleagues, Isabel or Olivia knows very well that there's a lot to prove that she's no nine days' wonder, a success one day and forgotten the next, as she makes her way to stardom.

Yet, with the resilience, willingness to take the rough with the smooth, and the faith of a Cebuana, there's no stopping her from getting there.

Catch the premiere of "Sugo" on Monday night, July 4 at GMA 7.