Heart’s heart is now jumping in excitement. This ABS-CBN Talent Center artist is joining Arriba Arriba. Yes, the show that Jolina Magdangal used to headline is now relying on Heart and mainstay Ai-Ai de las Alas to bring in the laughs every Saturday night. But according to Heart, she didn’t replace Jolina. "Nagkataon lang na when they invited me to join, dun’ siya nawala."
Heart will play the daughter of Ai-Ai de las Alas whom everyone thought passed away when she was still a baby. "I’m a bit nervous but very excited to join the sitcom. It’s a good role and it’s an honor working with Tito Johnny (Delgado), Tito Edgar (Mortiz), Tita Sandy (Andolong) and, of course, Ms. Ai-Ai (de las Alas)."
Heart has all praises for her co-star Ai-Ai. "I’ve worked with her in Magandang Tanghali Bayan. Miss Ai-Ai is very professional. Even when she is sick, she still reports for work." Heart also plays one of Ai-Ai’s many children in the upcoming movie Tanging Ina under Star Cinema, directed by Wenn Deramas. Also in the movie are fellow ABS-CBN Talent Center artists Marvin Agustin, Carlo Aquino, Nikki Valdez, Jiro Manio, Shaina Magdayao, Serena Dalrymple, Marc Acueza, Alwyn Uytingco and making a cameo appearance is John Prats.
That she’s playing sweet music with John, Heart denies this. "My dad told me that I can’t have a boyfriend yet. Papatayin ako nun pag nalaman niya that I already have a boyfriend! And even if he doesn’t say so, I don’t think I’m ready yet for one." Heart intimated that her type of guy is "chinito, mestizo and simple. Ayoko ng mayabang." Heart also has her hands full introducing music videos in Studio 23’s Myx. She hosts the request show My Myx where she reads viewers’ letters.
Heart was hell bent in making it in the entertainment industry and showed showbiz inclinations as a child. But her dad protested furiously. Well, as the saying goes, you can’t fight fate. She was soon discovered by a talent scout for an advertising agency and when the offer came for her to be in a TV commercial, her father reluctantly agreed to allow her daughter. Soon, other offers came and showbizness was knocking loudly at the Ongpauco door. Her dad once again gave Heart his blessing and she was brought to the ABS-CBN Talent Center where was cast in G-mik and was made to join the Star Circle Batch 9. Now, Heart is one of the most promising artists of ABS-CBN.
Whenever Heart’s schedule permits, she goes to school. She is an incoming third year high school student at the ABS-CBN Distance Learning Center High School. She is finishing her modules and is taking her tests to complete requirements. One day, she dreams of earning a degree in Hotel and Restaurant Management and hopes to put up her own restaurant.
But not everything is rosy for Heart. She says that a lot of people snicker behind her back and tease her for being an artista. "They’d say that I’m baduy and cheap because of my work." Heart just stays quiet and pretends not to hear the hurtful remarks. "Nakakapikon talaga at napaka-sakit minsan pero deadma na lang ako. As long as I’m not hurting anyone, I don’t care what they say. I’m in a very honorable profession and I’m proud to say that I’m in showbiz."
Karen Borja is a Filipina who grew up in the United States and who came back to the Philippines in the late ’90s to try modeling. She landed a lucrative endorsement deal for Oxygen shirts with a popular foreign boy band but even before going to the Philippines, she already had a thriving career in the States. Karen, who’s also a beauty title holder, appeared in movies like Pearl Harbor and Armageddon and even guested in the TV show Charmed where she played a witch.
In the new season of Disney Buzz, Karen trades punchlines with Azura and Jien as they air the brand-new action packed adventures of Disney’s Teamo Supremo, a group sworn to protect the world from the forces of evil and still finish their homework on time. Teamo Supremo is composed of Captain Crandall, Rope Girl and Skate Lad. Other programs to be aired on the Disney Buzz are Teacher’s Pet, Lloyd in Space and the Wheel Squad.
Tune in to Disney Buzz every Friday, 5 to 7 p.m. and weekends from 2 to 4 p.m.