Kapamilya star Heaven Peralejo revealed that portraying the role of a young Judy Ann Santos in drama series Starla was the toughest role she has ever played so far.
In an exclusive interview with LionhearTV, Heaven admitted that she felt pressured to perform better because she was bringing life to a character also portrayed by the multi-awarded actress.
“Maliit lang ‘yung role ko rito since ako ‘yung past n’ya. Pero the fact na nag-young Juday ako malaking pressure na ‘yon,” the 20-year-old actress said.
“And siyempre kailangan ko bigyan ng justice ‘yung role rin niya,” she added.
Heaven also shared that she idolizes Judy Ann, who has already won Best Actress awards from the Cairo International Film Festival, the Metro Manila Film Festival, FAMAS, and the PMPC Star Awards, among others.
“She’s (Judy Ann) my favorite actress kasi sobrang galing niya sa lahat ng genre lalo na sa drama, which I love to do,” the young celebrity said.
Heaven further noted that it was also her dream to reprise the role of Esperanza, a character first played by Judy Ann in the 1997 drama series of the same name.
“Idol ko po kasi talaga si Ms. Juday pagdating sa aktingan,” she said.
Heaven entered showbiz through the ABS-CBN reality show “Pinoy Big Brother (PBB).”
She became a familiar face in the entertainment industry after she left the PBB house as she appeared in various Kapamilya shows and films.
“Paglabas ko ng PBB, nabigyan na kaagad ako ng endorsement contract,” Heaven said.
“At may mga naibigay din na roles na nagkaroon ako ng awards sa 32nd PMPC Star Awards as Best New Female TV Personality at sa World Class Philippines 2017 as Most Promising Teen Star. Saka sunod-sunod na ang mga blessings,” she added.
It’s no secret that Heaven joined the PBB to support her mother.
Heaven’s mom was diagnosed with cancer at that time, and needed funds for treatment.
“Year 2015, when I discovered that my mom has two cancers. At that time, my mom was still working,” she recalled.
“Pero naisip ko na baka dumating ‘yung time na she’ll need help sa mga medicines and radiation since lifetime na ‘yon. Kaya ‘yun ang nag-push sa akin na pumasok sa industriya na ito, hanggang sa minahal ko na lang talaga ‘yung craft,” she added.
After undergoing treatments, Heaven’s mom was declared cancer-free.
Heaven’s family tree is loaded with talented artists.
She is the niece of former actresses Rica Peralejo and Paula Peralejo.
Before the lockdown was declared due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Heaven appeared on the ABS-CBN primetime drama Pamilya Ko.
The young star noted that playing the character of Macopa in the said teleserye was the most fun role she’d had in a long time.
“May pagka-immature kasi siya (Macopa) and sometimes kahit ako eh natatawa ako sa mga sinasabi niya lalo na ‘pag nag-aaway sila ni Peachy (Maris Racal),” Heaven said.
Currently, Heaven said she’s busy preparing for her roles in the upcoming movie “Happy Times” and “a horror film under Reality Entertainment” and a TV series “under RSB unit and Mamu, too.”
Keep reading below to get to know Heaven better:
REAL NAME
Heaven Lyan Salvador Peralejo
NICKNAME
Heaven
BIRTHDAY
November 25, 1999
FAVORITE MOVIE
“The Notebook.” Not a lot of people know, but I live for romantic movies.
FAVORITE SONG
Nahulog na Puso by me. First single ko ‘to kaya very memorable.
WHEN YOU WERE LITTLE, WHAT DID YOU WANT TO BE WHEN YOU GREW UP?
I remember gusto ko maging doctor noon para maalagaan ko ‘yung mga Lola and Lolo ko.
IF NOT AN ACTOR, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR PROFESSION WOULD BE?
I think a lawyer or a psychologist.
DESCRIBE YOUR MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE AT A TAPING
I guess pinaka-memorable sa akin ‘yung nag-tape ako for “Ipaglaban Mo: Kutob” sa Antipolo. Madaling araw na po nun tapos sobrang lamig. May crying scene pero siyempre ‘pag nilalamig ka nanginginig ka. Doon po ata na-test yung focus ko eh. Pero ayun nakaiyak naman ako and naibigay ko ‘yung kailangan ng character.
HOW DO YOU PREPARE FOR A ROLE?
I read the script over and over again and then I talk to the director to ask for his/her advice and suggestion. Before if may hugot or crying scenes, tinatawagan ko si Lola, ‘pag nakausap na n’ya ko ayun iiyak na ko ng sobra. But now, nakuha ko na ‘yung hugot ko na fini-feel ko ang character pati na rin mga heartaches or pinagdadaanan nito.
WHAT’S THE MOST ADVENTUROUS THING YOU’VE DONE SO FAR?
Nung nag-Korea kami ni mom and unexpectedly nagpa-tattoo kami ng “matchy-matchy,” which I did a vlog pa ng experience namin kasi it was really our firsts. Siyempre who would think na papayag ang mom mo to have a tattoo ng ganon-ganon lang. Ha ha ha. Kaya nagulat ako and natuwa that we did it.
IN YOUR FREE TIME, WHAT ARE YOU MOST LIKELY DOING?
Watch Netflix, listen to my playlist and spend time with the people I love like family and friends.
WHO IS YOUR CLOSEST FRIEND AMONG YOUR FELLOW STARS?
Hmmm. Yung talagang all secrets alam niya? Wala pa po ata. Siguro dahil tahimik po ako sa set, ‘di lang halata. Ha ha ha. Pero sabi ko nga this year, isa sa New year’s resolution ko is mas maging open sa mga showbiz peeps. Pero lahat ng mga nakakasama and nakaka-work ko naman eh, ok po kami like sila Vivoree, Kira, Ryle, Joj, Dominique, Magui, Myrtle, Darren, Jimboy, and McCoy.
WHAT’S THE MOST EXPENSIVE THING YOU HAVE EVER BOUGHT?
A car. I just bought a new one this year para mas comfier and for family na rin.
IF YOU COULD INSTANTLY CHANGE ONE ASPECT OF YOUR PERSONALITY WHAT WOULD IT BE?
I guess ‘yung pagka-impatient ko. Ayoko kasi naghihintay. But of course, sa life kailangan ‘yon.
WHAT’S YOUR STRANGEST/HIDDEN TALENT?
Puwedeng hindi ako magsalita the whole day. Is that even a talent? Ha ha ha. Not so sure, but it is strange for me.
WHAT’S THE BRAVEST THING YOU’VE EVER DONE?
Forgiving the people who have hurt me kahit hindi nila hiningi.. Deep ba?
WHAT DOES THE WORD “LOVE” MEANS TO YOU?
God and family.
DESCRIBE IN ONE TO TWO WORDS YOUR CURRENT LOVE LIFE
Happy.
FUTURE DREAM
To be a well-known drama actress and a singer.
ADVICE TO ASPIRING ACTORS
Hone your craft. Be open to suggestions and advice. Better start from the bottom to appreciate what you’ll have. Always keep your feet on the ground and pray.
