- Kapuso artist Carla Abellana is grateful to GMA Network for all the learnings she had which molded her into the actress she is now
- Carla has spent 11 years with the Kapuso Network, making her one of the loyal talents of the network
On Thursday, March 5, Kapuso actress Carla Abellana recalled her journey as an actress as she celebrates her 11th year in show business with GMA Network.
In an interview, Carla hoped that she’ll stay longer with GMA having been with the network for more than a decade already.
She said, “Hopefully mas longer pa po. Yun naman po ang wish ng kahit sinong artista na mabigyan ng ganitong opportunity to be exclusive with a particular network and of course yung longevity po in terms of career because not everybody, not all celebrities and artists are given the chance to sign up with the network.”
The 33-year old actress also expressed her gratitude to the network that has molded her to what she is now as an artist.
“So, the fact na at least nabibigyan pa rin po ng chance na ma-renew ang aking contract sa GMA, malaking bagay na po nun, na lagi ko pong pinagdarasal na magtuluy-tuloy lang po,” Carla stated.
During the interview, The Love of My Life star also revealed three of her TV series that she considers the most memorable.
Number one on her list is “Rosalinda” which was her first drama series and TV project. The said series was aired in 2009 where she was paired with Geoff Eigenmann.
She shared, “Number one would have to be ‘Rosalinda’ pa rin po because it was my first. Yun po ang aking unang sabak sa show business. It was overwhelming, but it was, kumbaga, life-changing because nagtuloy-tuloy na po after nun eh.
“It was something I never in my life imagined that would happen but I did it. I took the plunge kumbaga kahit ang dami ko pong doubts and fears back then. Kumbaga tinanggap ko, kinuha ko, kinagat ko parang ganun,” she continued and added, “So I would say that Rosalinda is definitely one of the most memorable.”
Next from her list is Basahang Ginto which is a remake of the 1952 film of the same title. This was Carla and Geoff’s second TV series together which was broadcast by GMA in 2010. The series was directed by Joel Lamangan who is also behind the TV series of GMA such as Pamilya Roces (2018), Onanay (2018), and Magic Palayok (2011).
Carla answered: “Number two would have to be ‘Basahang Ginto’ most especially because I worked with Direk Lamangan and I learned so much from him po. And that’s what really shaped me in terms of my acting abilities. Yun po yung talagang nag-push sakin sa aking limits.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0nZ-PbG8U0I
Last but not the least is My Husband’s Lover which for her, has created a huge impact on her career. Carla top-billed the classic series alongside Tom Rodriguez and Dennis Trillo. Broadcast in 2011, the series is the first gay-themed drama series under the direction of Dominic Zapata.
My Husband’s Lover is the first TV project of Carla with her now-boyfriend Tom who had recently transferred from ABS-CBN at that time.
The story revolves around Lally Agatep-Soriano (Carla Abellana), who struggles to be the perfect wife to Vincent Soriano (Tom Rodriguez), a closeted gay who fell in love with Eric del Mundo (Dennis Trillo), a gay architect who was his former lover.
“Number three would have to be ‘My Husband’s Lover’ because it was iconic, it was well-written. I loved playing the role of Lally. It spearheaded our career, sa aming tatlo. I most especially love the fact na nakilala po kami sa buong mundo because of ‘My Husband’s Lover’ and until today, as in today 2020 people still look back and remember, and people are actually even watching it until today.”
According to the actress, up until now, My Husband’s Lover is still airing on several countries like Thailand and Africa, including Vietnam and India.
“Hanggang ngayon umeere pa rin po siya sa ibang countries like Thailand, even in Africa. So may mga countries po na ngayon palang po actually nag-a-air and My Husband’s Lover. ang galing kasi even more than 5 years after, may mga interesado pa rin po dun sa soap kinuha pa rin po nila para i-air dun sa kanila. so that means a lot.”
Back in her first year in the show business, Carla recalled that she was labeled as a “blank canvas” by Direk Joel for being raw and skillless.
But, compared to what she was like way back then, Carla is proud of how she changed as an actress.
“I’m confident to say naman po na kahit papaano, mas well-equipped na po ako today as an actress to be able to play particular roles po.”
Since Carla is 33 and Tom is 32, are they ready to tie the knot?
“Napag-usapan naman po until today. We have plans naman po. Dun naman din talaga kasi kame pupunta.”
However, the actress revealed that they don’t have a specific time and a date yet since both of them still have many things to focus on.
Though the time is ticking and they are not getting any younger, Carla isn’t rushing Tom into marriage. Instead, they enjoy their time together as she still able to focus on her acting career, provide for her family, and invest in businesses that would really help them once they settle down.
“Okay lang naman po if we take our time kasi I’m still able to focus on my acting career, on my businesses po. Investing in businesses and then sa family ko po. Kasi siyempre once na ikinasal na po kame. Theres no turning back, siyempre hindi na po mababalikan yung mga yun. So yun, okay lang naman din po, kumbaga no pressure. Hindi ko naman po siya minamadali,” said the actress.
Carla started her career in 2009 when she was cast to portray the titular character of Rosalinda, a remake of the Mexican telenovela of the same name. From then on, her career blossomed as she top-billed on different teleseryes like Sine Novela: Basahang Ginto (2010), Love Bug Presents The Last Romance (2010), Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Langit (2011), Makapiling Kang Muli (2012), My Husband’s Lover (2013), My Destiny (2014), Because of You (2015), I Heart Davao (2017), and Pamilya Roces (2018).
Carla plays one of the lead characters in Love of My Life which replaced One of The Baes in its timeslot.
Aside from acting, Carla also ventured into modeling and hosting.
