VANESS DEL MORAL is part of Starstruck Season 3. She is one of those who were eliminated right away but now, she’s the only survivor who’s still actively acting in GMA projects.
Their male winner Marky Cielo has gone to the great beyond while the rest like Jackie Rice, Gian Carlos and Iwa Moto are now all missing in action.
One thing with Vaness is she’s so good in playing character roles and she has shone as a contravida several times, like in “Basahang Ginto”, “Half Sisters” and “Encantadia”.
She got married to businessman Matthew Kier in 2018, got pregnant in 2019, delivered her baby girl in 2020. She was surprised when GMA one day contracted her and offered her to play the role of Hillary in “Widow’s Web”.
“Ninerbiyos ako kasi my last show was before I got pregnant pa, ‘Love of My Life’, so matagal akong nabakante,” she says.
“Sabi ko, wait lang, parang hindi ko pa yata kaya. Parang di pa ko ready magtrabaho uli at humarap sa kamera. But GMA’s creative said ako talaga ang gusto nila. Sabi pa nila, we wont give it to you kung hindi nagtitiwala sa’yo ang network.”
She read the script and she fell in love with her role as Hillary, a friend of Carmina's family. “She’s out of this world. Kung manamit siya, very flamboyant. Ang mga damit niya, at ang style niya, outrageously getting attention. May pagkamaldita siya, bida-kontrabida ang dating niya.”
We’ve seen her in the trailer and her character will remind you of the socialite Tessa Prieto Valdes.
“Susyal na susyal ang dating niya. She is one of the four leads na puro babae. Lagi siyang glamorosa, dressed to the nine.
"Tapos, asawa ko rito si Bernard Palanca who is an invalid, naka-wheelchair lang at may anak kami, played by newcomer Vanessa Pena, so yes, first time kong mag-mother role.
"Kaya na-challenge ang beauty ko. Pumayag akong tanggapin ang role kahit mawawalay ako sa baby ko dahil lock in taping kami.”
She welcomed working with Carmina Villaroel, Ashley Ortega and Pauline Mendoza as the other leads.
“Ang laki ng cast. Wala kang choice kundi to be on your toes lagi para hindi ka kainin nung iba. When we started, sobrang kabado ako.
"But thanks to Direk Jerry, he was there to help me interpret my role kaya nakabuwelo rin ako agad at parang hindi ako matagal na nawala.”
How is it being a new mom?
“Naku, nabago ang buhay namin ng husband ko. 360 degrees. Lahat ng aming time and attention napunta sa baby naming si Ellie. Yung mga dati naming ginagawa bago siya dumating, hindi na namin nagawa kasi siya na ang priority namin.”
But she is not complaining.
“Yes, kasi masaya naman kami as she brings so much joy to our life since she was born on May 26 last year. So this coming May, we will celebrate her first birthday and it’s a a great thanksgiving to the Lord for giving her to us.
"Mabuti na lang at meron tayong video call ngayon kaya lagi ko siyang tinatawagan at ang papa niya habang nasa lock in taping ako. Kasi baka mamaya, malimutan niyang ako ang madir niya kapag di niya ako nakita nang matagal.”
