The treasures of Sheena Halili

“Sigurado po ba kayo na kaya ko na maging nanay?”

This is what Sheena Halili told network executives when she first received the offer to play a mother role on GMA 7’s drama series Binoy Henyo. The offer posed a difficult question for the Kapuso actress: Should she accept a project that finally bills her as a lead star — her first after years of playing support in shows such as MariMar, and, most recently, Indio — even if it means playing a mom to a six-year-old (played by showbiz newcomer David Remo) at the age of 26? The hesitation is reasonable; doing a mother role even once, at least based on the perception of viewers and fans, could relegate her to mother roles forever.

But in the end, Sheena trusted her home network.

“Sa ilang years ko sa showbiz, ang dami na nilang binigay na roles. And happy ako every time na sinasabi nila na nabigyan ko ng justice yung role,” the StarStruck Season One alumna said. â€œChallenge ito sa akin na parang may bago na namang paraan para i-push ko yung sarili ko. Why not mag-try ng bago? Baka may ma-discover sila sa akin na hindi namin alam.”

As for the fear of being typecast as a mother in future projects, Sheena mused: â€œWala namang masama kung mother roles ang mapunta sa akin basta may ma-i-sha-share akong maganda sa viewers and ako mismo may matututunan and wholesome yung show.”

Sheena has transformed into an able actress, honed by years of working with the likes of Marian Rivera, Regine Velasquez and Bong Revilla Jr. And while she still hopes for a lot more in her career, Sheena is a content and loyal Kapuso.

“I know kung wala silang plano sa akin, bakit pa ako andito? I have to be happy and thankful na 10 years, andito pa rin ako, nagtitiwala pa rin sila sa akin,” she said. The Kapuso star also hopes Binoy Henyo will be part of the fulfillment of her dreams.

“Sana naipakita namin sa kanila na importante yung relationship ng isang ina at isang anak. Gusto naming ipaintindi na kailangan pa rin ang nanay pag lumalaki ang bata. Kasi ikaw yung guide e. At kung ano ang nanay nila, yun yung maa-adapt nila paglaki nila,” said Sheena  when asked what viewers can treasure from Binoy Henyo, which had its finale last Sept. 20. 

The Kapuso actress understands the importance of a mother-and-child bond; after all, she considers her parents her life’s most treasured persons.

“Very close ako sa kanila. Iyang mga yan, pag di ako makatulog, pag pagod ako, tinatabihan ko pa yang mga yan. Sila yung strength ko, sila rin yung weakness ko,” Sheena said.

She added, â€œSi mommy and daddy, sa times na weak ako, andun sila para palakasin ako. Yung relationship namin, mas lumalalim dahil doon.”

This deep bond is the reason why she feels every moment with her family (she’s part of a brood of three) is her most treasured moment. But one instance stands out: â€œNung sinabi ko kay mommy ko na thank you kasi naging mahigpit ka sa akin. Thank you na di ka gumive up sa akin. Kasi dahil doon, okey ako. Nung sinabi ko kay mommy na ikaw ang best of best friends ko.”

Get your own

Sheena also has a special place in her heart for her friend which is why she considers Bangkok, Thailand as her treasured travel destination. With her best friend Jackie, Bangkok was the location of her first vacation alone outside the country.

“First time ko mag-travel na walang kasamang parents. First time kong mag-explore na wala kaming car, wala kaming tour guide, wala lahat. Kami lang,” she said.

As a Christian, Sheena treats the Bible and her journal as her most treasured things; the Bible for spiritual guidance, and the journal for emotional release.

“Before and after work, yun dalawang yun yung tinatakbuhan ko,” she explained.

“Yung journal ko, doon ko kinukwento lahat ng kinakatakutan ko, lahat ng nagpasaya sa akin. Yung journal kahit pakalat-kalat sa bahay, walang nagbubukas noon kasi alam nilang sa akin yun.”

Being a Christian is a huge part of Sheena’s life. Although she has high hopes for her showbiz career, she wouldn’t sacrifice her faith and convictions in exchange for a high-profile project. The advice she treasures the most in her life is from Coney Reyes.     

“Sabi ni Miss Coney, ‘Kung ang trabaho na yan ay makakasira ng relationship mo with God and your family, huwag mong kunin, huwag mong panghinayangan. Because God will provide, and ibibigay niya yung tama para sa iyo. Huwag mong pilitin sa sarili mo dahil ilalagay ka ni God sa tama’.”

Indeed, Sheena is the type of actress who would stick to her beliefs, even at the cost of a much brighter career. But she’s been blessed so far as her showbiz trajectory has always been on the rise since her StarStruck days, her most treasured moment as a Kapuso artist.

But as for her most treasured Kapuso shows, Sheena names three: MariMar, Ako si Kim Samsoon and Indio.

The Binoy Henyo actress explained each of her choices: “MariMar, doon sila first nagtiwala sa akin. Doon din first na-discover na pwede ako sa comedy. Ako si Kim Samsoon, ang sarap lang na ang kaeksena ko doon ay sina Eugene Domingo at Regine Velasquez. And may moment ako doon e, hindi lang ako basta cast. Amaya rin, kasi doon ko first na-discover na pwede ako mag-drama.”

Her character in Indio, she said, is her most treasured show because it’s her “biggest break” so far.

Why Sheena remains a loyal Kapuso after all these years? â€œSimula nung nakita nila na pwede ako sa ganitong bagay, hindi nila ako hinayaang mawalan ng trabaho. Binigyan nila ako ng project na alam nila na kaya ko. Nirerespeto nila pag di ko kaya, hanggang dito lang ako,” she said.

 â€œOne day, pangarap kong magkaroon ng billboard sa harap ng GMA. One day gusto ko ng drama talaga na project, gusto ko ng award sa drama. Malay natin ito na yung Binoy Henyo.”

Sheena added, â€œOne day, alam kong may maiiwan akong maganda sa GMA, yung ang gusto kong ma-achieve.”