ARIELLA ARIDA, 3rd runner up in the 2013 Miss Universe competition, is one of the four beauty queens who went into acting and are now active with Vivamax.
The others are Kylie Versoza, Miss International 2016; Cindy Miranda, Bb. Pilipinas Tourism 2013; and Janelle Tee, Miss Earth Philippines 2019.
Kylie, Cindy and Janelle have all given very daring performances in their respective Vivamax outings.
Does Ariella think she can give them a run for their money?
“I honestly don’t see myself as competing with any of them,” she says. “For me, it’s more like challenging yourself.
"E, ganoon talaga ang buhay. Anywhere you go, may challenge talagang dumarating and it’s better like that. Kasi kung wala namang challenge, you cannot push yourself to see kung ano pa ba ang kaya mong gawin.
"Honestly, I’m just so happy na kaming beauty queens, nabibigyan ng chance sa acting. My dream is for all of us to get to work together, na sana magkasama-sama kaming lahat in one project and let the public be the judge. I think that would be nice.”
Ariella’s latest film, “Breathe Again”, will start streaming on Vivamax this Friday, June 3.
She plays Joanna, who’s engaged to Ivan Padilla as Paulo. But when they take a vacation on a beach resort, she meets a diving instructor, Tony Labrusca as Robert and sparks fly between them. Ivan, in turn, falls for Jela Cuenca.
“I’m very proud of ‘Breathe Again’ kasi sobrang ganda at okay ang story,” she says.
“You have to watch it from start to the end, kasi sa very last part ng film, that is where you will understand why the title is ‘Breathe Again’.
"Ang ganda ng pagkakasulat ng buong script and anyone who has felt love will be able to relate with it.”
“Breathe Again” is about cheating. Is she willing to forgive a partner who has cheated on her?
“Honestly, I cannot forgive someone who cheated on me, kahit one night stand lang, kasi ginusto mo yan, e. It was your choice. Kasi ako, I will remain faithful kung may partner ako.”
How far can she go in going sexy on screen?
“Basta ako, clear naman that I have my reservations. Si Direk Raffy Francisco of ‘Breathe Again’, we talked about the love scenes at napag-usapan namin pati mga anggulo. Iningatan niya.
"I’m still new to this genre, so hindi ko pa alam how far I’d go. Malay natin, baka after four or five films, I might get used to it and I’d become more comfortable.
"Tingnan na lang natin sa susunod kong movies. Depende rin ito sa director ng movie, kasi napag-uusapan naman yan.”
So which is more challenging, joining Miss Universe or doing acting?
“They’re both very challenging, but on different levels. Kasi sa Miss U, you just focus on yourself. You have to bring out the best in you. Zero background ako noon sa pageants, so mahirap.
"But during the pageant itself, you get used to it so you cope. Mas mahirap magpa-sexy sa movie, kasi you have other people to consider, like your co-actors, your director, the cinematographer, the crew.
"Iba rin ang dynamics involved kasi may drama, may acting required from you. Sa acting, every project, dapat mong pag-aralan at dapat may ipakita kang bago all the time.”
She says she’s been single and ready to mingle for sometime now. Isn’t she afraid of growing old alone?
“Siempre, nakakatakot tumandang single. As a woman, sobrang nakaka-pressure sa society natin yung wala kang asawa. But for me, as long as you know how to take good care of yourself, age is just a number.”