SHERYL CRUZ was included in the “Prima Donnas 2” presscon with the show’s teen love teams: Sofia Pablo and Allen Ansay, Althea Ablan and Bruce Roeland, and the budding love triangle of Jillian Ward, Will Ashley and Bruce Crisostomo.
Sheryl plays Bethany, now the show’s new super villain inheriting the Kendra role of Aiko Melendez before.
“It’s nice to be part of an established show and I want to thank them all for welcoming me very warmly,” she says.
“I enjoyed everyone’s company in our lock in taping and I had fun with Chanda Romero, Katrina Halili, Wendell Ramos as well as all the teen members of the cast.”
She says the young love teams brought back sweet memories of her teenage years in the late 80s and the 90s when she has her own ka-love team, Romnick Sarmenta, and they made many TV shows and movies.
“We’re part of the love teams then sa ‘That’s Entertainment’ that included Manilyn Reynes and Janno Gibbs, Kristina Paner and Cris Villanueva and Lotlot de Leon and Ramon Christopher,” she recalls.
“I remember our fans then rooting for us tuwing may show kami. Bawat love team, may sariling group of fans at kung minsan, nag-aaway pa yung iba.”
Fans then visit their idols in person.
“Nage-effort talaga sila and they go to our live shows sa Broadway Centrum, then they visit us in our shootings and out ot town provincial shows.
"Sinusundan nila kami at sinasabitan nila kami ng garlands and garlands of sampaguitas while we are performing on stage. Nakakatuwang mag-throwback.”
But times have changed. New technology and social media came along and things are never the same again.
“Ngayon kasi, they follow their favorite stars na lang on youtube, or on Instagram or Facebook. Lalo na nang nagka-pandemic, bawal na ang face to face contact kaya bawal ang fans day at magpa-selfie.
"You can just communicate with your idols online sa sariling accounts nila. Even the fans based abroad can say hello to you and send you their messages.”
What does she think of the young love teams she is supporting in “Prima Donnas 2”?
“Naku, lahat sila, nakakatuwa. It brings back memories of my own teen years. May kanya-kanya na rin silang loyal fans who watch them on Tiktok and their other social media accounts.
"Bawat love team naman, may kanya-kanya silang katangian why their fans support them.”
She’s turning 48 on April 5 and since she’s one star who has maintained her durability all these years, what advice can she give to her younger co-stars?
“Naku, I look at them na para ko na rin silang mga anak, like own daughter Ashley. I wish they’d all succeed in their careers.
"Basta they should bear in mind to always love what they are doing. Yun ang pinaka-importante.
"Mahalin mo yung trabaho mo, always know your priorities, be professional, and your job will love you back.”
Sheryl thinks they should not waste the golden opportunity that GMA network gave them.
“Napakagandang break ang ibinibigay sa kanila as a Kapuso at dapat lang huwag nila itong aksayahin. Most of them, started as a child star, just like me.
"If they want to stay on top for a long time, they should continuously hone their craft, be respectful of their co-workers. at never na lumaki ang ulo.
"Sa dami ng gustong mag-showbiz ngayon, napakadali nang palitan ng sinumang mag-iinarte sa career niya.”
