ABS-CBN's talent center, Star Magic, celebrates its two-decade-old workshop and training department with its first digital film directed by Rahyan Carlos. Anino, a horror-drama flick, includes a cast of 160 new talents who auditioned and went through about four months of grueling training and tough competition.

Anino features professional actors Jake Cuenca, Dimples Romana, Jodi Sta. Maria, and Joem Bascon in its plot that narrates a life-changing retreat that a group of young adults and adults go through to confront their inner demons.

Award-winning pop rock artist Yeng Constantino is among the featured artists invited by Star Magic to appear in the said project.

At the premiere night of Anino last Monday night, March 26, at Cinema 7 SM North EDSA, Yeng relayed her experience while shooting the film.

"Actually, hindi siya talaga sobrang solid acting, e. Cameo role lang ako dito na parang three scenes or two... pero ano, masasabi ko bagong mundo ito for me kasi hindi naman ako nag-aacting. Nice lang din na maranasan ko ito."

Anino, while it gives the spotlight to the promising acting skills of the newbies, gave Yeng a minor character—one that she was grateful for because it did not deviate from how she is in real life.

As Yeng personally describes her role  "as ... Yeng."

She chuckles and explains, "Rakista din siya! Tapos makulit, mahilig siya sa cute na stuff. Para siyang anime!

"Ganun din ako sa totoong buhay, e. Parang wala ngang pinagbago, e! As Yeng pa rin! Kumakanta din ako, nag-gigitara ako!

Twice in the film, Yeng's character, in fact, breaks into a song.

"Ginamit namin yung song ko, yung 'Langit.' Gumawa ako ng acoustic version for them. Ginawan ko sila."

DABBLING IN ACTING

The first Grand Star Winner of talent search Pinoy Dream Academy was asked to take an acting workshop under Star Magic back in 2009 so as to test where else Yeng can express her artistry.

"Parang [sinusubukan] nila kung puwede ngang mag-acting kami," Yeng recalls.

"E, ang dami din naming ginagawang out of the country [shows], ganyan." Yeng says it was unfortunate that she was not able to continue because of the time her music career demanded of her.