Oh My Korona stars share greatest trade-offs for pursuing showbiz

MANILA, Philippines — What trade-offs are you willing to take in going after your ultimate dream?

In a virtual media conference on Wednesday, The STAR asked the cast members of Cignal Entertainment and Crown Artist Management’s show Oh My Korona on what their greatest trade-offs were in their pursuit of a showbiz career.

Headlined by Maja Salvador with Joey Marquez (as Louie), Oh My Korona is a TV5 sitcom that “highlights some true showbiz experiences based on current news headlines, celebrity issues and scandals, and other viral topics. The show also gives valuable insights on the showbiz world to guide and inspire dreamers who are pursuing their own paths to stardom.”

According to the press notes, Maja plays Lablab, an out-of-work hotel manager who inherited a boarding house from her late beauty queen-actress mother and is now landlady to a group of showbiz wannabes.

“For me, whatever it is that you decided on, sometimes even if you are not 100 percent sure but it is what you chose, panindigan mo,” asserted Maja. “Give it your 100 percent. Tuloy-tuloy lang because the Lord will always be there to guide you and He will always provide.”

“Nakakatakot man yung mga choices or yung path na pipiliin mo, just hang in there because you know for yourself that you will not stop until you achieve your dreams,” she added.

Joey said he gave up another project to be part of TV5’s drama comedy Niña Niño, which also served as Maja’s first series as a Kapatid. “You know what, it’s an actor’s dream to be part of that teleserye because aside (from) a very relaxing (atmosphere), the people are very accommodating and we have all the time to enjoy the taping. Maybe that’s one sa ngayon na pinalit ko sa isang bagay, that I chose to work in Niña Niño,” the veteran actor-comedian said.

Kakai Bautista (as Marga) recalled that back in 1999 when she was about to graduate from college and was already employed at that time, she pursued theater. “I was supposed to be a writer of this company, an editor and then trinade ko yung pagiging writer sa pagpasok sa theater, in professional theater and theater led me into show business. That’s my greatest trade(off) that I didn’t regret,” she shared.

Thou Reyes (as Kobe) is a registered nurse in the Philippines before becoming an actor. “Grumaduate kami ng mga barkada as nurses. Up until now, we are (still in) constant communication. And of course, nakikita mo kung ano na yung buhay, the American dream as a nurse ng mga Filipinos. So, you get to see kung ano na kaya dapat yung buhay mo as a nurse in the US. But I always believe that as you grow older, you choose happiness and kung saan ka masaya,” he said.

“As long as you are happy with what you are doing, you stay there and you do whatever it takes (to succeed) in your chosen field. (In my case), the entertainment industry, it’s what I chose,” he furthered.

Pooh (as Gerry), meanwhile, shared, “I remember when I was not yet an actor, I had other jobs. But mas pinipili ko lang talaga ito (acting) kesa may bagong dumarating. Wala akong ganun. Nandudun ako sa… ewan ko, may ano ako sa loyalty (I have a high regard for loyalty).”

Gaming video content creator Christine Samson (as Layla) is now focusing more on her acting career than streaming content. “I went out of my comfort zone,” she said. “People are used to seeing me… I mean, they know me more for streaming and gaming. Then I tried showbiz na hindi ko alam if people will accept me and I’m not sure if the people who are following me on streaming platforms are also going to follow me on TV.”

Newcomer Guel Espina (as JM), for his part, is trying to balance his studies and acting as well. “It is my goal to finish my studies. After that, hopefully, tuloy-tuloy pa rin po yung sa pag-acting ko. It is my main goal to balance the two.”

TikTok star Queenay (as Emy) and newbie Jessie Salvador (as CJ), sister of Maja in real life, had put on hold their schooling because of opportunities in the entertainment industry.

“I know that education is very important which is why dapat ipagpatuloy talaga ‘yan,” acknowledged Queenay. “But sometimes, minsan lang po kumatok yung opportunity para sayo. And it was my dream to become an actress so parang alam niyo yun, nandito na eh, parang, ‘Papakawalan mo pa ba?’”

The online personality grabbed the chance to enter showbiz but also vowed, “I’m very much willing to continue my studies once my schedule permits.”

Jessi had the same situation with Queenay. “I stopped schooling for three years because parang feeling ko hindi siya for me (and then) nag-decide (ako) na mag-enroll ulit.”

Also starring in the series is RK Bagatsing who portrays Maja’s leading man Tim.

Oh My Korona is directed by Ricky Victoria and is also the first line production venture of Crown Artist Management, Maja’s talent management company with her fiancé, Rambo Nuñez.

(Oh My Korona airs Saturday nights at 7:30 only on TV5).