Louise delos Reyes recalled sharing an episode with Marian Rivera in GMA-7's Christmas series Jillian: Namamasko Po and seeing firsthand how the former Darna lead star would offer suggestions to make the scene look better.
"I find her so nice katrabaho and professional. Kapag merong isang scene nagbibigay siya ng mga opinion na parang 'Direk, puwede sigurong ganito na lang kasi parang awkward kung ganito.' She's very professional," Louise said about Marian, who is one of her favorite young actresses around.
Although the 17-year-old actress never had much time to talk with her idol, Marian's work ethic and confidence every time she arrived at the set impressed the budding neophyte.
Giving suggestions to a director at this stage of her young career would of course look inappropriate, given Louise's limited acting experience.
And Louise, much to her credit, understands that gaining the trust of colleagues, management, and directors needs to be earned over time—which is not easy in a competitive industry like show business.
PROMISING STAR. Alakdana director Mac Alejandre believes Louise has the makings of a big star in the mold of her showbiz heroes like Kapuso stars Rhian Ramos and Glaiza de Castro.
"Louise is way beyond promising," said Direk Mac in a conversation with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) at the Executive Lounge of the GMA Network Center in Quezon City.
"When I went on board, si Louise na 'yan, e," the director explained. "Kung anuman ang prosesong pinag-isipan ng management para ma-pick up si Louise, I think tama 'yong proseso na pinagdaanan nila kasi nung humarap siya sa akin, even before we started the workshop, and while we were doing the workshop, and while we were doing the tapings, alam mong diamond in the rough—alam mong meron siyang pupuntahan."
Louise never went through a proper audition for the lead part of Adana in GMA-7's newest afternoon drama-fantasy series, Alakdana. Yet Louise practically grew up in front of the camera.
She started out when she was eight years old, appearing in a television commercial before joining showbiz a year later as part of the now defunct ABS-CBN youth-oriented gag show, Ang TV.
Louise had to stop, however, after entering the "awkward years" as a teenager.
TV5's teenage drama series tiled Lipgloss served as her comeback showbiz vehicle followed by BFGF, where she portrayed the character Hermes.
In 2009, Louise was seen in the independent film Agaton and Mindy, where she was nominated as Best Actress in the 26th Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC).
BECOMING KAPUSO. Pilyang Kerubin became Louise's first official project with GMA-7. Network management, seeing great potential, included her in the Sunday musical variety show Party Pilipinas and Reel Love Presents: Tween Hearts.
Louise never expected to star in a series where she is the main character. It was part of her dream admittedly, like any other actors and actresses, but the thought of actually being given one at this point caught her completely by surprise.
"Binigay po nila sa akin 'to [Alakdana] tapos nagkaroon po ako ng series of screen tests kasama po 'yong mga leading men ko and workshops, 'yon po. Parang ang bilis nga po, e kasi in the span of one week nabuo na agad ito. Sobrang nabigla po ako," she confided.
Feeling tremendous pressure is understandable for any lead star. More so in the case of a young actress like Louise, who is tasked to front a program seen as an experimental approach on the part of the network since fantasy elements are usually designed for primetime projects.
How does she somehow ease the load of expectation placed on her shoulders?
"Binabasa ko po araw-araw 'yong script ko, pinagaaralan ko and humihingi po ako ng advice sa mga senior sa akin, 'yong mga direktor, mga artista, para kung ano 'yong magandang atake and papaano gagawin 'yong scene," replied Louise.
"Nanonood din po ako ng mga TV shows ng mga favorite kong artista tapos tinitingnan ko kung papaano sila umarte, kung paano sila umiyak na hindi gugusot 'yong mukha."
It is still quite early to judge and even predict Louise's fate in the acting business. But you've got to admire her attitude and strong determination to succeed in a tough and fickle industry.
"Siyempre sa sarili mo hindi mo alam kung ano talaga 'yong mga strong points mo. Pero sinasabi nila sa akin na meron daw akong puso and alam ko kung ano 'yong ginawa ko. Alam ko kung ano 'yong pupuntahan ko. Kasi sobrang gusto ko 'tong ginagawa ko and siguro nakikita nila 'yon sa acting ko."
Well, it looks like Louise delos Reyes has already won half the battle.