Getting to know showbiz newcomer: Enzo Pineda

CEBU, Philippines – "Starstruck V" First Prince Enzo Pineda does not have a sob story. He comes from a well-to-do family and can most definitely spend the money he earns from showbiz in any way he pleases.

But even then, the 19-year-old (turning 20 this August 12th) willingly forks over his earnings to his parents and at the same time, strives to be financially independent. This is his gesture of giving back all the love that his folks showered him since birth.

Enzo's father is Eric Pineda, business manager to Manny Pacquiao, while his mom Macy is a Rustan's model-turned-public relations executive. He has one brother who's 10 years ahead of him. His dad is co-managing his career together with GMA Artist Center, so that gives Enzo an advantage because unlike other artists whose managers slice off a chunk from their talent fees, he gets to enjoy his full pay since his dad does not ask for a commission.

He may not have emerged the ultimate male winner, but it's true what they say that the real competition began after Starstruck.

Aside from being a "Party Pilipinas" mainstay where he regularly shows off his dancing prowess, he recently replaced Mark Herras as the love interest of Ynna Asistio's character in GMA 7's kantaserye "Diva".

He can also be seen in Lovebug's "Exchange of Hearts" episode, shot in the beautiful Camiguin Island with fellow "Starstruck" finalists Steven Silva, Sarah Lahbati and Diva Montelaba. It started airing last July 18, and will run for four Sundays.

Then he is part of "Kaya ng Powers", his network's brand-new Saturday sitcom starring Joey Marquez and Rufa Mae Quinto. These projects given to him only prove that Enzo is relevant, even if he didn't walk away with the "Starstruck" title.

As member of his university's dance troupe, Enzo was always dressed before in oversized shirts and hip-hop clothes. But when he joined showbiz, he was packaged as a preppy boy-next-door, that's why we often see him sporting argyle knit sweaters and collars.

Last Saturday, Enzo, together with "Party Pilipinas" young stars Gian Magdangal, Julianne San Jose, Miguel Escueta and Diva Montelaba, held a mall show at SM City Cebu to promote their Sunday musical program.

Before revealing himself onstage to his Cebuano admirers, Enzo bared to The FREEMAN backstage on why he's a late-blooming performer, his no-holds-barred approach to girls, dreams of donning a cape on-screen, among others.

The FREEMAN: What did you want to be while growing up?

Enzo Pineda: Gusto ko talaga maging artista and athlete. Gusto ko mag-artista dahil I love performing arts, at the same time, I'll be doing a service to my country dahil nagpapasaya ako ng tao. I'm being a good inspiration to others. But when I was in grade school and high school, inaamin ko I really didn't have the confidence para sumali sa mga theater guild or dance troupe. I was more into sports. I was a varsity member of soccer, taekwondo and track and field during high school. So I was really into sports na more on ginagamit ang paa.

TF: When did you finally gain the confidence to pursue performing?

Enzo: Pagdating ko ng college. Pinu-push ako ng friends ko na ituloy talaga ito. Tsaka, lahat naman ng taong nagsisimula sa isang craft, sa umpisa, parang ayaw mo kasi hindi ako magaling, nakakahiya or baka hindi ko magawa. Naisip ko din na lahat tayo nagdadaan sa ganoon na phase. All it takes is for you to try ang isang bagay para malaman mo if gusto mo talaga.

TF: Can you say you are very confident now?

Enzo: I can say marami na akong natutunan but there is always more room for improvement, especially in my craft of acting and dancing. Pag umaarte ka, your topic is life so it's a never-ending process. Dancing and acting are all the same. In dancing, you also have to give a specific emotion that relates to the song. If hip-hop, maangas. If contemporary dance, sometimes it's related to love, sadness or anger. It's all related, nagkukwento rin naman tayo ng story but in a different and creative way. So it's a never-ending process.

TF: What did you buy with your first paycheck?

Enzo: Binigay ko sa parents ko.

TF: With your family's economic status, you didn't really need to right?

Enzo: Matagal na akong inaalagaan ng parents ko. Binabalik ko lang yung pagmamahal na binigay nila sa akin since bata pa ako. I know na blessed kami sa maraming bagay, pero may part naman sa akin na gusto ko, ako naman ang mag-alaga sa kanila. I still live with my parents but I contribute at home. Nagbibigay ako ng share sa rent. Hindi na rin ako nanghihingi ng baon sa parents ko, pati gas for my car, I spend for it myself. Mostly, puro damit ang binibili ko ngayon kasi kailangan eh.

TF: How old were you when your dad started working for Pacquiao?

Enzo: I was in first year high school. Dati, sumasama ako sa mga gigs, fights and training ni Kuya Manny. Barkada ang turingan namin kasi parang bata din siya eh na mahilig makiglokohan. Yung mga typical na ginagawa ng mga teenagers.

TF: What year in college are you supposed to be now?

Enzo: I'm a third year college student (currently on leave of absence) at the University of Asia and the Pacific. My course is Entrepreneurial Management; it's a business course wherein you have to graduate with a business that earns at least P40,000 in a month. Of course, gusto ko sana i-continue but as of now, sayang yung opportunity sa showbiz, so tuloy-tuloy muna ako dito.

TF: In the numerous workshops you underwent with mentors such as Miggy Tanchangco, Freddie Santos and Gina Alajar, is there one lesson that stood out for you and that you often keep in mind?

Enzo: Madami, but what I always remember is, less is more. When you're on screen, the less the gestures are, mas natural ang labas. Kasi sometimes you overdo it, like kung galit, galit talaga. But may simpleng way na mas effective. For example, pagtingin pa lang sa mata, alam na ng tao na galit ka. Nakakatulong din sa pag-arte ko ang "inner monologue" which means, while you're acting, kinakausap mo yung sarili mo. Kunyari, sinabihan ka na wala kang kwenta. So sasabihin mo sa loob mo, ah wala pala akong kwenta ha...so initial reaction ng face ko, galit na kaagad kahit wala ka pang sinasabi.

TF: How do you find being paired with Diva in "Lovebug"?

Enzo: Masaya kasama si Diva. Maganda ang chemistry namin, wala kaming ilangan. It's an honor na magkatambal kami kasi magaling siya at matalik din kaming magkaibigan. So kahit anong ibigay sa aming role or challenge, okay lang sa amin.

TF: As cast of GMA's new sitcom, "Kaya ng Powers", are you at home with the comedy genre?

Enzo: In comedy, minsan to be funny, you have to be serious in acting. The script kasi sometimes, nakakatawa na as it is so you don't have to overact it. It's serious acting, pero nagre-rely ka sa script mo para maging nakakatawa siya. Minsan sasabihan ka ng direktor to ad lib or batukan yung kasama mo pero seryoso pa rin. It still involves real emotions. Ang role ko doon manliligaw ni Rhian Ramos pero maraming twists and turns kasi nandoon din si Sheena Halili and Rocco Nacino so malay mo, baka ma-in love yung character ko or si Rocco sa character ni Sheena.

TF: Who among the industry's crop of leading men would you like to emulate?

Enzo: Dingdong Dantes. Iniidolo ko talaga siya. He also started in dancing, and then he ventured into acting. So parang parehas kami ng mga gustong gawin sa buhay. Nag-comedy na rin siya at nagawa na rin niyang mag-fantaserye. Ako, gusto ko talaga magkaroon ng role na superhero. Yung mga ala-Superman or with sword-fighting. At the same time, he's a good youth role model. Namimigay siya to children na nangangailangan or to victims of calamities. Si Kuya Dingdong talaga, he makes an effort to help other people and share his blessings.

TF: Are you a fitness addict?

Enzo: After the Bench fashion show recently, nagbubuhat pa rin ako pero I'm no longer dieting now. Before, I used to have a no-salt, no-sugar diet. Puro boiled lang-boiled chicken, kamote, pero on the side I take supplements. Importante yung vitamins kasi automatic kulang sa nutrition if you're dieting so you still have to support it with vitamins.

TF: Describe your usual get-up.

Enzo: It depends. Personally, I am a fan of fashion. Gusto ko mag-try mag-formal, semi-formal, halo-halo. Para nakikita ng tao yung iba't-ibang personality ko. Para makita ng tao na you can be versatile and unique. Hindi mo naman kailangan ng isang style para tumatak.

TF: How do you let a girl know you like her?

Enzo: I'm still an old soul when it comes to courting. Nagbibigay ako ng flowers, nagiging sweet kasi malambing ako na tao. It's not that I spoil the girl, pero I try to give kung anong mga favorites or gusto niya. Actually, kung kailangan kung sabihing manliligaw ako, sasabihin ko talaga. Kung gusto ko ang isang girl, hindi ako natatakot sabihin.

TF: Have you ever been dumped?

Enzo: No.

TF: Have you already cried because of a girl?

Enzo: Yes. Siguro ano lang yun, maling oras sa pagmamahal. Syempre bata pa ako, so hindi rin dapat maging ganoon ka-serious sa mga bagay na yan.

TF: How many girlfriends have you had?

Enzo: Excluding na yung mga puppy love ha, naka-dalawang seryoso na ako. One lasted for one year, the other for two years.

TF: After a particularly exhausting day, what do you do to relax?

Enzo: There's a place in Timog called Bumblebee, doon ako tumatambay. Favorite ko yung mga drinks dun. If wala talagang magawa, I just go home, turn on my laptop and chat with my friends. Kasi most of the time, hindi ko na nakakausap yung friends ko kasi busy sa work. Pero bumabawi naman ako sa kanila. (THE FREEMAN)