Playing alongside the legendary trio of Tito Sotto, Vic Sotto and Joey de Leon in a movie is definitely a big honor, according to Krista Ranillo.
In a recent conversation with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Krista excitedly shared how she felt when asked to participate in TVJ's reunion movie and official Metro Manila Film Festival entry, Iskul Bukol: 20 Years After.
"Sobrang excited ako nung nalaman ko! Kasi kahit hindi ko siya napanood because sobrang bata pa ko nun, and back then we lived in the States kasi, so hindi ko napapanood."
Working with the legendary comedic trio allowed the young actress to witness their brilliance first-hand, as well as the people working closely behind the scene.
Said Krista: "Hangang-hanga ako sa kanila, they really have great minds. Sina direk, sina Tito Joey, pati ‘yong mga punchlines, iniisip nila. Sabi ko nga ‘Ano ‘yong role ko dito?' ‘Ah, basta chicks ka lang.' 'Wow! chicks ako! Sige, sige! Iskul Bukol naman, okey lang kahit chicks lang ako,' sabi ko. Pero actually, cameo siya, but I'm very proud of it kasi napanood ko na nga 'yong ibang parts kasi ida-dub din. Ang ganda-ganda, nakakatuwa siya."
Krista had the advantage of working with TVJ in the past on television.
"Dati naman naggi-guest ako sa [Eat] Bulaga. I was with Nuts Entertainment for a while, 'tapos si Tito and Joey, nakakasama ko naman. They made me comfortable right away. Hindi naman sila ‘yong parang inaasar ka, pinagti-trip-an ka. Okey naman sila."
GOING INDEPENDENT. Currently on a comeback trail, Krista is now pursuing an independent lifestyle as her immediate family decided to settle in the U.S.
"I moved out because my family kasi, they're gonna stay na in the States for a while, kasi taga-doon naman talaga kami. Pabalik-balik naman kami, and then my youngest sister, she was born with a defect, so, she needs her operation there sa States," confided the young actress.
Krista further added: "Parang naisip ko lang na kasi nga of age na 'ko and I'm earning my own money, kasi ever since naman bata ako nun, when I started in showbiz, ever since I started earning, di na ko humingi sa kanila. Kasi, di ba, kumikita ka na naman? So now I didn't want to burden them anymore, kasi I'm staying in their house, so ako na lang ngayon."
She's still adjusting, admittedly, and living alone requires her to be more responsible. "Mahirap pala, kasi parang nakakabigla. Pero ayun natuto akong magtipid, natuto akong mag-budget. Pero happy, kasi fulfilling siya, kasi feeling mo nagtatrabaho ka pero may pinupuntahan naman."
AN EVENTFUL 2008. With 2009 only a few days away, Krista described 2008 as an "eventful" year—one that saw her showbiz comeback after taking a sabbatical to concentrate on her studies at the Ateneo de Manila University. She earned her degree in Interdisciplinary Studies, major in Communication and Psychology. Krista was on the cover of FHM Philippines last August. She can be seen in ABS-CBN's afternoon drama series, Pieta. She was chosen by Petron as its calendar girl for the coming year.
"Kasi ‘yon nga, after school kasi parang feeling ko gusto ko ulit mag-showbiz ulit kasi. Isip ko, ‘Sige, I'll try,' hindi naman ako nag-ambisyon pero everything talaga it's been a blessing," smiled Krista in closing.