SHAIRA DIAZ auditioned for “Sahaya” and she felt sad when she did not qualify as a member of the cast. “But it turned out, may iba palang project waiting for me,” she says. “Kasi mas maganda ang role ko as Sam in the new primetime romcom na ‘Love You Two’, as the sister of Jennylyn Mercado na magiging ka-love triangle niya kay Gabby Concepcion.”
There were many young actresses who auditioned for the role of Sam and she was surprised when she was informed that she was the one who got it.
“Naiisip ko nga, baka mas deserving yung ibang nag-audition kaysa sa’kin, but the fact na sa’kin ito ibinigay, it means may nakita sila sa’kin and it’s now my turn to show na pagbubutihan ko talaga para naman hindi sila magsisi na akong kinuha nila as Sam. I really feel so blessed to be given the chance to work with Jen and Kuya Gabby kasi, bukod sa ang laki ng role, it’s really great to be working with such established stars in the industry like them.
"Second show ko pa lang ito sa GMA after ‘Pamilya Roces’, pero ang laking role agad ang ibinigay sa akin. I’m really very thankful to GMA for making me a part of this show. Nang sabihan akong ako ang nakuha, pinamalita ko agad sa family and friends ko. Yung mga tita ko, naiinggit sa’kin, lalo when they learned may kissing scene with Kuya Gabby. Dapat daw, sila na lang ang kinuha.
"Sa simula pa lang ng taping namin, si Kuya Gabby, very helpful agad. He felt na kinakabahan ako noong una, but he guided me. Sabi niya, practice muna tayo para hindi ka mailang, so we rehearsed our scene so I would loosen up. Ang bait niya. Sa story, I would fall in love with him kahit malaki ang agwat ng ages namin. In real life, very charming talaga si Kuya Gabby so I’m not surprised women easily fall for him.”
Has she experienced falling in love with someone older than her in real life? “Naku, hindi po. Kaya nga challenge din po sa’kin ang role kasi I want to show kung ano ba ang personality ni Sam at nabaliw siya sa isang lalaking puede na niyang maging daddy in real life. With the help of our director, Irene Villamor, hindi naman po ako nahirapan in interpreting my role.”
Didn’t Edgar Allan Guzman, her boyfriend when she was still with TV5, get jealous when she kissed Gabby? It’s said that they didn’t really break up and it’s just a ruse to distract those who are against their relationship. “Totoo pong nag-break kami. But we’ve remained friends naman. Bawal ba pati yung friendship? Sa lahat ng nagsasabing ayaw lang namin umamin, e di bahala kayo sa gusto nyong paniwalaan. Basta whether you believe it or not, I want to focus on my career muna, lalo na ngayong binibigyan ako ng GMA ng chance to show what I’ve got as an actress. Tama na muna ang love life. I want my work to be more stable muna.”
What can she say to the conclusion of some people that she’s really the reason why Edgar left Noel Ferrer as his manager and transferred to Arnold Vegafria of ALV Productions who’s also handling her now? “Ay, hindi po ako ang dahilan. Bakit ako? May sarili naman siyang pag-iisip, so he can make his own decisions. Siguro, mas maganda yung offer sa kanya ng ALV kaya yun ang pinili niya. Labas na po ako diyan.”
Meantime, GMA is happy that “Love You Two” quickly became a trending topic online right from its pilot episode. Various netizens registered their approval on social media. Says @PinoyTr1013” “First few scenes pa lang, it’s easy to see that Jennylyn Mercado is really the Queen of RomComs #LoveYouTwo.”
And @1995xejgn adds: “Ang husay ni Jen pagdating sa rom-com, very very light lang and natural itong atake ng #LoveYouTwo. Queen Jennylyn Mercado is really the ROMCOM Queen. Revelation din si Clint Bondad! Ang husay ni Shaira Diaz! Thank you again for this @gmadrama @gmanetwork @mercadojen @Shairadiaz_.”