Carla Abellana: Lucky 7 on GMA 7

Carla Abellana is perhaps one of the most visible young actresses on TV today. She is seen seven days a week on GMA 7. She is also what others call a lucky charm because her shows enjoy extended runs.

On weeknights, Carla portrays talented and pretty fashion designer Andrea in the primetime program Because of You. On Saturdays, she hosts the weekly drama anthology Karelasyon. On Sundays, she transforms into the wonder mom Majay in the sitcom Ismol Family. And on weekend mornings, she whips up gustatory dishes in Del Monte Kitchenomics.

Her recent project, Because of You, enjoys impressive digits in the ratings game, prompting the Kapuso management to give the show a well-deserved extension. “We were on our last days of taping when direk Mark (Reyes) announced the news,” she recalls. It was a happy moment for the stellar cast which includes Rafael Rosell and Gabby Concepcion, with Iya Villania, Valerie Concepcion, Joyce Ching, Bettinna Carlos, Enzo Pineda, Kristoffer Martin, Vaness del Moral, Michael Flores, Rey “PJ” Abellana, Carlo Gonzales and Celia Rodriguez.

Carla enjoys the presence of her co-star and screen partner Gabby. The best thing about it: The priceless experience of tossing lines with such a well-loved and seasoned actor, says Carla. And it helps that he’s incredibly down-to-earth. “At the back of your head, naiisip mo na, marami nang nakatrabaho ito, marami na siyang na-experience sa trabaho.” Carla says that working with Gabby may be a once-in-a-lifetime experience, “so sulitin mo yung opportunity kasi baka hindi na maulit.”

Carla is thrilled to be working with her dad once again, having had only sporadic projects with him in the past years. “Yung character niya dito, over the top, laging overacting, laging dramatic, malakas magsalita, malaki yung movements, so nakakatuwa kasi hindi naman talaga siya ganun in person,” she says of dad PJ, who portrays her onscreen father in the series. “It adds to the energy and comedy of the show. Nakakatuwa si Papa, super saya niyang katrabaho.”

With shows left and right, Carla shows no signs of slowing down. Her other two shows are also enjoying high ratings and long-term airings.

Ismol Family, a weekly family sitcom headlined by Carla and Ryan Agoncillo, will be turning two in June. “None of us nag-expect na magtatagal siya, so malayo na rin yung narating ng story. We’ll never know kung saan dadalin yung story,” says Carla.

Meanwhile, Karelasyon, a weekly drama anthology that seeks to reveal the complicated side of relationships based on true-to-life experiences, is celebrating its first anniversary this month. Carla is grateful for the support that the show has been getting.

And as Carla invites viewers to watch out for Karelasyon’s special anniversary episode airing very soon, she hopes for the show’s continued success. “Sana mas marami pang episodes at sana mas lalo pang dumami ang viewers ng Karelasyon.”

But there’s still more to conquer, says Carla. “I want something dark, parang mga psychological thriller, somebody who’s obsessed, mga ganun. Hindi yung typical na persona na independent woman, or mother, or sister. I want to portray an ordinary woman but with a dark side.”

On her spare time, Carla opts to take in more responsibilities: “I do errands — bayad ng bills, grocery, mag-ayos ng gamit sa bahay.” Although occasionally, she still manages to find time to get a massage, watch a movie or go shopping.

What she enjoys the most whenever she’s off-duty: Lounging around the house, barefoot, in her cozy duster dress. “Mahilig akong mag-paa sa bahay, mahilig ako mag-stay sa sahig, tsaka mahilig ako sa mga duster,” admits Carla who refers to herself as a homebody. “Kahit pantulog na butas-butas pa yan. Kasi yung lola ko laging naka-duster sa bahay, so ginagaya ko siya. Nakakatawa kasi wala sa hitsura,” she laughs.

Her grandmother, veteran actress Delia Razon, is Carla’s greatest inspiration. “Hindi lang sa acting pero yung tagal niya sa industry. Kilala pa rin siya ng tao, nirerespeto siya.”

It was also her grandmother who taught her to have a fiery passion for animal welfare. “My family (members) have always been dog lovers, my lola, my mom, my aunt.” Carla grew up with dogs in the house — and perhaps, quite a few more critters. “I’ve had rabbits, birds, fish, a guinea pig and even a chicken.” And three adorable dogs: Patches (Jack Russell terrier), Sunny (Welsh Corgie) and Bubbly (Yorkshire terrier).

In 1997, Carla, then only a meek grade-schooler, volunteered for the Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) for the first time. “Pero mas naging active ako ngayon, kasi siyempre ginagamit ko yung opportunity na may voice ako. At least sa ganitong paraan man lang makatulong ako.”