At just 18, Therese Malvar is already a certified multi-awarded film actress, recognized by award giving bodies both here and abroad.
However, the actress revealed that she had to prove her worth and work hard to earn a spot when it came to television projects.
Significant roles on TV did not come easy, even if she had multiple acting awards.
Therese became emotional when she was asked: Was there a moment in her life when she felt underappreciated?
She cried as she answered, “Yes. Yeah. Kasi ang dami nang nagsasabi, is it okay for you. It’s like, you really love what you do and then you’re not given what you think you deserve you're given.”
Therese spoke to select members of the press, including PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), at the Kapuso sa Panagbenga Festival event in Baguio City last March 2, Saturday.
Therese said that she was initially given insignificant roles.
“You’re very celebrated in the movie industry but when you enter here [television], it’s like, ‘Who are you?’ So, you work hard, you love what you do, but then it’s hard not being appreciated.
“You don’t want fame, you just want appreciation and to not be appreciated for what you love is hard,” she said.
She took this as a chance to prove her worth.
And her hard work paid off.
Therese also believes that everything happened for a reason and the attention that she is currently enjoying now just arrived at the right time.
Currently, Therese is one of the lead stars of the ongoing Kapuso afternoon teleserye Inagaw na Bituin.
“What I always say sa mga ibang press, it really helps that I believe in God’s perfect timing, coz if this project was given to me before, I wouldn’t have handled it as well as I did right now; my mind would not be that mature to take this all in."
She added, "Basta nung nangyari ito, [it was] both success… but I’m sure it was happiness.
“Then I realized, I should take this all in momentarily. Wag mabigla and this is what I’ve asked for.
“I’ve believed in myself. This is what happened in the end.
“I believe in sincerity, in hard work, love for your craf. Parang magdudulot ng mabuti at maganda. Kasi lahat ng minamadali ay di maganda ang resulta.”
She continued, “Sobrang happy ako na sa lahat ng handlers ko sa GMA who believed in me, ito na ito finally! And then they’re helping me along the way.”
In 2015, Therese starred in the indie movie Hamog, which earned her local and international awards. She won the following awards for playing a streetkid in Hamog: Best Actress in Cinema One Originals, Screen International Rising Star Asia Award at the 15th New York Asian Film Festival; Outstanding Artistic Achievement Golden Goblet Award at the 2016 Shanghai International Festival; and Silver St. George Best Actress at the 38th Moscow International Film Festival.
KAPUSO STARS AT PANAGBENGA FESTIVAL 2019
Therese was one of the Kapuso stars who participated in the Panagbenga Festival held in Baguio City from March 2-3, 2019.
The stars of ongoing and upcoming GMA-7 teleseryes took part in different activities sponsored by GMA Regional TV.
On March 2, Saturday, stars of the teleseryes My Special Tatay, Sahaya, and Kara Mia performed at the Sunshine Park in the afternoon.
Ken Chan and Bruno Gabriel of My Special Tatay serenaded the audience.
Migo Adecer, Bianca Umali, and Miguel Tanfelix, who will top bill the upcoming teleserye Sahaya, entertained the audience.
Lastly, Kara Mia Stars Jak Roberto, Paul Salas, Mika Dela Cruz, and Barbie Forteza delighted fans with their intermission numbers.
The next day, stars of Dragon Lady—Janine Gutierrez and Tom Rodriguez; Inagaw na Bituin—Kyline Alcantara, Therese, Manolo Pedrosa; and The Boobay and Tekla Show—Super Tekla and Boobay took part in the annual Flower Festival Parade.
