From being a nobody to becoming the newest Kapamilya star, Ruth Paga proved that dreams do come true.
Paga overcame the challenges brought by the pandemic by becoming a vlogger. She also entered ABS-CBN’s online talent search, Bida Star: Gandang Naturally Fresh. On March 31, she was announced as the winner.
Upon hearing the news, Paga and her family celebrated it in their simple way—praying together. And as if everything is going to be normal, the new Kapamilya star did her chores while celebrating her win.
But her journey was not an easy one.
Paga shared that during her pursuit of stardom, she experienced many rejections.
She started auditioning in ABS-CBN’s reality game show, Pinoy Big Brother, numerous times. Yet, it was not her time to enter showbiz. She then tried on other networks but failed to make it to the final cut.
The 23-year-old vlogger from Kalinga Province then had a taste of what it’s like in the showbiz industry when she became a dancer of ABS-CBN’s show, Everybody Sing.
But because of the pandemic, she was forced to stay at home.
That is where she turned to vlogging and doing viral facebook videos. Eventually, she became a hit on social media where she was dubbed as Shanghai Queen.
When she learned about Bida Star, she again tried her luck despite many rejections. That is why after she was announced as the winner, she was surprised.
Paga never expected that she will come out as the winner. It’s mostly because of the numerous rejections she experienced.
“Honestly hindi. Eto na naman may audition na naman ulit ako. Kung matalo man dito, at least experience na nadagdag. Kung manalo man, blessing.
“Parang nasanay na siguro ako sa rejection. Nasanay na kasi panay na-rereject. Pero laban pa rin,” Paga shared during her Bida Star virtual media conference.
When asked about her journey in the said online talent search, Paga compared it to a sprouting tree. And the search’s workshops served as her foundation to grow.
“I would describe my Bida Star journey like a tree. Puno na patubo pa lang. Kasi yung puno pag patubo pa lang, kailangan ng mag-aalaga, kailangan ng tubig, kailangan ng sunlight. So yung naging experience ko sa Star Magic
workshop, yun yung naging lupa, naging strength ko,” said Paga.
Meanwhile, Paga thanked the search’s director and acting guru, Direk Rayhan Carlos for his teaching.
The winner of Bida Star thought of Direk Rayhan as her sunlight, her basic need to flourish.
“Si Direk Rayhan naman, sya yung naging sunlight ko. Siya yung tumulong sakin para lumabas ako sa comfort zone ko. Para mas makilala ko pa ang sarili ko.”
Paga’s experience with Direk Rayhan was tough as a nut. She revealed that the workshops with the director pushed her to become better.
“Sobrang challenging! Ma-pupush ka talaga. Hindi ka pwedeng sumabak sa workshop kapag hindi mo napanuod yung assignments mo, nabasa yung assignments, at hindi ka nakapag-rehearse ng six hours minimum,” shared Paga.
“Kasi kung papasok ka sa workshop na hindi mo nagawa yun, hindi ka talaga i-entertain ni Direk.”
But she was thankful that Direk Rayhan did not just teach her to become an artist, he was also there to give them advice.
“Hindi ko makakalimutan yung sinabi nya sakin na, stay humble everytime, dapat mapagbigay ka, and kailangan mong lumabas sa comfort zone mo para makilala mo ang sarili mo.
“I am thankful kay Direk Rayhan kasi tinuturuan niya rin kami ng mga words of wisdom.”
And now that she finally made her dream come true, she is interested in doing drama. She also revealed her dream co-stars: Kathryn Bernardo, Jodi Sta. Maria, and love team KarJon.
“Kung bibigyan ako ng chance para mamili ng film, gusto ko yung drama, mala-MMK. At kung bibigyan ako ng chance para makasama ang mga Kapamilya stars, si Kathryn Bernardo at si Jodi Sta. Maria. Syempre pati ang KarJon kasi kasama ko sila from the beginning ng Bida Star.”
Today, that she is finally a Kapamilya star, Paga will also be subjected to bashers. But the winner of Bida Star does not mind the haters.
She is also ready to face criticism associated with her being in the showbiz industry.
Aside from the title, Ultimate Bida Star, Ruth also took home P50,000, an ABS-CBN management contract, an Eskinol Talent Contract, a chance to participate in a Star Magic Workshop, her digital show, and a chance to star in a digital film with Kapamilya stars.
