‘Crown Princess’ lead actress wants to visit Cebu

CEBU, Philippines —  Thai-Norwegian actress Urassaya “Yaya” Sperbund has had Cebu on her travel bucket list for a while now.

The lead actress of hit series “The Crown Princess,” which currently airs over GMA-7 in Tagalized form, arrived in Manila last Thursday, June 13, for a meet-and-greet with her Filipino fans and to represent the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s campaign called “Open to the New Shades.” This is her first time in the Philippines.

During a press conference at Dusit Thani Hotel, GMA News reported that when asked which Philippine destination she’d love to visit the most, the lovely star replied, “I really, really would love to go to your beaches. Cebu is on top of my list right now, so definitely will find time to explore after this,” said Sperbund, who plans to do the exploring with leading man and real life boyfriend Nadech Kugimiya.

“I am very excited. This is my first time here and I’ve been dying to come for the longest time so I’m very happy,” she added. “I will be here for three days and I will find a new opportunity to come again for sure.”

Sperbund also shared that she has always felt connected to Filipinos since she is often mistaken for one.

“Actually when I was younger, everywhere I go, people would come towards me and speak to me in Tagalog because they always thought I was Filipino. So I’d felt a connection with the Filipinos since I was younger and I’m very happy to be here.”

As one of the ambassadors of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, Sperbund was tasked to promote her nation’s tourism and culture through the Open to the New Shades Campaign.

“We have so many places that are yet to be discovered, we have so many diverse things that people can experience and I feel very lucky that I am able to share this message for all the travelers who are ready to come and visit,” said Sperbund according to GMA News.

She thanked Filipinos for watching “The Crown Princess” and her other shows such as “Switch” and “Waves of Life.”

“I’m so grateful and very happy because ‘The Crown Princess’ is actually a series I enjoyed doing. And ‘The Waves of Life,’ that was fun that aired here, that was also a fun thing to do.”

Told that people think she shares similar features to that of Filipina-Australian beauty queen Catriona Gray, the current Miss Universe, Sperbund commented: “Thank you very much. That’s a huge compliment. They are not just gorgeous women [Filipina beauty queens] they’re also intelligent and I think they embrace women empowerment well.”

Like Thai actor Mario Maurer who has been in the Philippines numerous times for a clothing endorsement and a Star Cinema movie with Erich Gonzales, Sperbund said she is most definitely willing to work on a series or film based in the Philippines.

“Yes. Please don’t hesitate to contact us. I’d love to. I’m all about widening my experiences.” – VAB