Stef 'steps up' her career

MANILA, Philippines - Patience is a virtue. Thus, Stef Prescott waits every project with anticipation.

“Everyone has his turn,” says the StarStruck Avenger of how her budding career has turned so far. “If it’s the winner’s time, it’s alright with me. I’m patient. You’ll get roles for as long as you can show them your talents and you are loyal to the network.”

This is what the young mestiza actress holds on to survive show business and her advice to StarStruck V finalists.

”I want to do this (be part of the entertainment industry),” adds Stef. “This is something I’m serious about. I’m not pasaway. I come to tapings on time. I do the best I can. Some artists took many years before their careers finally jumpstarted. There’s a time for everything. You just have to wait for it.”

Part of the first steps to Stef’s dream is her role in GMA Films and Imus Productions Inc.’ Ang Panday, official entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival come Dec. 25.

“It’s my biggest movie assignment,” reports Stef. “Based on the trailer, the movie is not what you normally expect. It is something new. It is something you haven’t seen before. It teems with advance special effects.”

The CGIs make Ang Panday live up to its shining reputation, its originator being Fernando Poe Jr. himself. Sen. Bong Revilla Jr., successor of the Flavio character, is never wanting in making the story engaging and the visuals enthralling.

“I play Ditas, one of Lizardo’s (Phillip Salvador) slaves,” shares Stef. ‘I’m on the dark side. See what my character can do? But there’s a twist to her. She also does good things on the side.”

Ditas’ kontrabida character is similar to that of Jackie Lou Blanco’s Clara in Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, Glaiza de Castro’s Gladys also in Hihintayin Kita, Eunice in Stairway to Heaven and Chynna Ortaleza’s Maya for Paano Ba Ang Mangarap?. Stef’s role is not that of the typical antagonist moviegoers despise all throughout the screening time.

“I think it’s a better way,” answers Stef when asked about the trend of kontrabida characters getting the public’s sympathy in the end. “We don’t expect these characters to just die toward the end. If the kontrabida becomes good, it teaches a moral story that everyone deserves a second chance or the person can change for the better.”

In the beginning, Flavio is a reluctant hero. The need to save his land from the hands of evil forces, however, pushes him to go beyond the limit. Flavio becomes a fearless warrior.

Heroine Maria (Iza Calzado), lovestruck teen Emelita (Rhian Ramos) and gentleman Celso (Geoff Eigenmann) add interesting turns to the story.

Flavio will encounter different creatures such as the head of tikbalangs and manananggals.

Also in the cast are Jonee Gamboa, Luz Valdez, John Lapus, Carlos Morales, George Estregan Jr., Robert Villar, Paulo Avelino, Pekto and Bellie, Gladys Guevarra and Carlene Aguilar.

Since it is still a long showbiz journey ahead, Stef also finds time to better herself. She attends voice lessons and acting workshops.

“You can’t just rely on the network because it has many talents to manage,” says Stef. “If I do things by myself, it’s for my own good in the long run.”

“I also want to study,” she continues. “My life should not just evolve around show business. I should have a fallback, especially if things don’t work out (the way I want them to be.) And hopefully, I won’t ask myself, ‘What will I do next?’”

Next year, Stef is slated to do The Last Prince.