Affected kahit papaano ang resident video jock ng QTV 11 na si Steph Henares kapag naiipit sa kontrobersiya ang kanyang pinsan na si Rhian Ramos. Steph is the daughter of GMA Artist Center head Ida Henares, na kapatid naman ng ina ni Rhian na si Clara Ramos.
Ayon kay Steph, very close daw kasi silang magpinsan and she cannot help but feel bad kapag sobra nang below the belt ang mga tsismis tungkol kay Rhian. Ang puwede lang daw gawin ni Steph ay ang ipagdasal ang anumang sitwasyon na pinagdaraanan ni Rhian.
"But of course, I feel bad as well kasi pinsan ko si Rhian," sabi ni Steph sa PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal). "And be it good or bad, we've always been there for each another. Maybe other people just don't know who Rhian is. May iba naman, they simply judge her.
"Being her cousin, kilala ko si Rhian and she's not this bad or mean girl na inaakala nila. If you get to know her, Rhian is a very sweet and caring person. She doesn't speak ill about anybody.
"But I know Rhian and she's a very strong person. Hanggang kaya niyang hindi umiyak, hindi siya iiyak. That one time na umiyak siya on TV, that was the time na she has to let go na. Sobra na raw kasing naipon yung sama ng loob niya. Pero after she cried, okey na siya."
Kuwento ni Steph, before daw maging superbusy si Rhian, na napapanood ngayon sa La Lola, halos everyday raw ay nagkasama sila. Madalas daw silang kumain sa labas at mag-shopping. Ngayon dahil sa hectic schedules ni Rhian, paminsan-minsan na lang daw silang mag-bonding.
"But we keep in touch naman by texting or calling one another," sabi ni Steph. "I know how busy Rhian is and I am happy for what is happening to her career. Mataas ang rating ng La Lola and she's very thankful that the show is a huge success."
As for Steph, hanggang sa pagbi-video jock muna sa QTV 11 ang kaya niyang gawin. Graduating student na kasi siya sa De La Salle University, where she is taking up Organizational Communication. Mas nakatutok daw siya sa pag-aaral niya.
"I'm graduating next year kaya mas focused ako sa school. Siguro after I finish college, I can try other things naman like acting. GMA Artist Center has been trying to get me into acting, pero ako na ang umaayaw because I have a full schedule sa school. Yung pagbi-video jock ko naman, it only takes a few minutes and it's done. After graduation, I might give acting a try," saad ni Steph.
Kung may gustong makatrabaho si Steph sa first acting stint niya in showbiz, ito ay walang iba kundi ang StarStruck Ultimate Hunk na si Aljur Abrenica.
"Not for anything else, I find Aljur a nice person and he acts good naman," paliwanag niya. "Napapanood ko naman siya sa mga shows kung saan siya kasama. For a newcomer, he's okay at gusto kong makatrabaho yung marunong na and would make me feel relaxed."
Bukod sa school at sa pagiging VJ ni Steph sa QTV 11 ay active siya sa dalawang Christian communities: The New Testament Ministry and The Bread From Heaven Christian Fellowship and Youth Ministry. Matagal na raw siyang member ng dalawang communities na ito dahil sa kahiligan niyang mag-serve sa Panginoon.
"It's something that I feel na dapat kong gawin habang bata pa ako. I grew up knowing so much about religion and to serve the Lord is something that really satisfies me. Would you believe that I once dreamt na maging pastora ako? I've talked with a lot of young people in our community and I love sharing with them the good things that my spiritual life has given to me," pagtatapos niya.