CLAIRE CASTRO WITH DAD DIEGO CASTRO OF 'TGIS'
CLAIRE CASTRO is so lucky to have been chosen to play one of the lead roles in GMA-7’s new soap, “Nagbabagang Luha”.
This is a remake of a Regal 1988 movie directed by Ishmael Bernal and it starred Lorna Tolentino, Gabby Concepcion and Alice Dixson. Lorna and Gabby’s roles as Maita and Alex are now played by Glaiza de Castro and Rayver Cruz while Claire got the role of Alice as Cielo Ignacio.
So how did she get the role?
“They had an audition po at marami kaming nag-audition,” she says. “I was so happy when I learned I was the one chosen to play the role of Ms. Alice Dixson.:
Claire is the daughter of Raven Villanueva and Diego Castro, who met while teen stars appearing in GMA-Viva’s “Thank God It’s Sabado” (TGIS) along with the love team of Angelu de Leon and Bobby Andrews. The show aired from 1995 to 1997 and Claire was born on August 11, 1998.
Claire's paternal grandparents are the late broadcasting legends June Keithley and Angelo Castro.
Claire signed up with GMA Artist Center along with Angela Alarcon, the daughter of another 90s actor, Jestoni Alarcon. But she’s much luckier as she’s now given a plum role after appearing in a small role in GTV’s “The Lost Recipe”.
Does she really want to be an actress?
“Yes po, bata pa lang ako, alam ko nang I want to act,” she says. “Kasi growing up, I was exposed naman sa set ng movies and TV shows my parents did. And now, I’m happy that I get to fulfill my dream.”
Who’s her peg among today’s top stars?
“Si Ms. Marian Rivera po. I grew up watching her shows. I remember ginagaya ko pa siya noon as ‘Marimar’ in front of the mirror. I’m so happy na now that I’m a Kapuso, there’s a possibility na makatrabaho ko rin siya balang araw.”
So how is it working with Glaiza, Rayver and their director in “Nagbabagang Luha”, Ricky Davao?
“Siempre po, intimidated ako noong una kasi puro magagaling sila, lalo si Ate Glaiza who can be very intense in front of the camera. I’m nervous at first but I was excited to try new things at mabait naman po sila sa akin.
"So I’m enjoying what I’m doing, lalo na napakabait ni Direk Ricky. He knows baguhan lang ako kaya inaalalayan niya ako and helps me hone my craft. I’m willing to learn naman and I’m just so happy to be given the chance to do what I really love.”
We ask Direk Ricky himself how he will size up Claire? “She’s okay. Very raw but very intense. She fits the role of Cielo, yung role ni Alice Dixson, perfectly. Hindi naman siya nagpaiwan sa mga kaeksena niya.”
What’s the most memorable advice has her dad, Diego Castro, given her?
“Sabi niya, wag lalaki ang ulo, always be humble. Kasi raw, no matter how beautiful or talented you are, if you do not have humility in you, you won’t really go anywhere but down. So I always bear that in mind.”
Claire is glad that Alice Dixson, who’s part of “Legal Wives”, congratulated her for getting the role of Cielo in “Nagbabagang Luha”, specially in doing that iconic scene where Cielo asks Maita not to take Alex away from her.
“Ikamamatay ko!” she tells Maita.
And Maita’s reply: “Ipalilibing kita!”
“Yes, I remember how intense that scene is,” says Alice. “But since you’re very talented, Claire, I believe you can do that scene even more intensely. Just always do your best.”
