Dionne Monsanto still on freelance status

CEBU, Philippines — After appearing in various GMA Network shows, Cebuana actress Dionne Monsanto maintains that she’s not yet a Kapuso.

The former Pinoy Big Brother housemate says she doesn’t have exclusive contracts with any network at the moment.

“I am freelance,” the “Tubig at Langis” star clarifies in an interview with Pep.ph. “I have not signed anything with anyone yet. What I like about being freelance is I get to do whatever projects I want.”

Currently, Dionne is closely working with AGP Casting Agency owned by Rams David. Since then, she has done guest stints in GMA programs like “Eat Bulaga!” and “Mars.”

With her freelance status, Dionne shares how she got the opportunity to be involved in a movie shot in Japan.

“I did this Japanese-Filipino film. I stayed in Japan for almost a month to study the role, to learn about Japanese [culture],” the 32-year-old recalls, adding that she gained a few pounds for the manga-inspired project because the role asked for it.

Having acted since 2002 in ABS-CBN Cebu teleseryes, the versatile actress, who joined PBB in 2007, admits that she’s a sucker for roles that need complex preparations and ones those that transform her inside and out.

“That’s what I love about my job—when I have to study for a role, when I have to prepare for a role whether mentally or physically and change my look,” she quips.

Dionne, who earned the moniker “Bida ng Sampalan” after her hit role as Lucy in the ABS-CBN drama “Tubig at Langis,” says that she does her best to give justice to any role thrown at her—whether it be the selfless heroine or formidable antagonist.

Dionne wishes that the Philippine filmmaking industry opened more auditions.

“I really wish that we held more auditions here in the Philippines, kasi there are roles na I want but then I can’t audition for it kasi may set of people na. Kaya sobrang trinesure ko yung Japan experience kasi I auditioned for it,” Dionne explains.

Although she doesn’t think she’s at her best during auditions because of the spontaneity of it compared to being offered a role, Dionne is always game for it.

“I don’t mind auditioning. Kasi when I do a teleserye alam ko na ang role ko, kilala ko na ang role ko. When you do auditions kasi, doon mo lang malalaman kung sino ka. Hindi mo alam kung saan nanggagaling ang eksena. But I love the feeling when I audition,” Dionne muses.