Why Ayen is still 'high'

MANILA, Philippines - Her role as Hara Lingayan on GMA 7’s Amaya had “graduated” from the series a few weeks ago but Ayen Laurel is still “high” with the way her portrayal has brought her closer to the public that praised her for a job well done.

“It’s heartening how even complete strangers approach me to comment on my role in Amaya. At hindi lang to comment but they seem to know every detail of what I and the rest of the cast do on the show. So alam ko talaga that they follow the series. It’s the first time this has happened to me — and to think the role just landed on my lap,” she said.

Even online, Hara Lingayan has been discussed by fans, from the clothes she wore to how she reacted in certain scenes. Ayen said her exhaustion disappears whenever she reads such comments as “Ikaw at si Marian ang dahilan kaya kami nanood ng Amaya.”

“It makes me feel that now I am truly a singer-actress. Before kasi, even though I was into theater, I felt that many just see me as a singer. I myself thought for a time that it was all I wanted to do but now I know that we can have that hyphen there,” she said.

Ayen also believes people want to see her take on “goody-goody” roles more than villainous ones though of course she won’t shirk from any kind of role as long as she finds it challenging. She believes that one of the true measures of an actress is her versatility which is often a prerequisite for that other barometer: Longevity in the industry.

“Stars eventually dim but talent shines on,” she quipped.

Being in show business for quite sometime now, Ayen revealed that a secret to not burning one’s self out is to set priorities straight. She said that it’s important to let go of “drain” people and to keep few true friends and family members close by.