SHAIRA DIAZ was discovered in TV5’s Artista Academy 11 years ago, then she moved to GMA-7.
And she’s thankful that they gave her several TV series like “Love You Two” with Jennylyn Mercado, “Contessa” with Glaiza de Castro, and the latest was the hit primetime action-fantasy, “Lolong”, with Ruru Madrid.
“Yes, I have a lot to be thankful for sa GMA kasi I got good projects from them and now, we’re preparing for the Book 2 of ‘Lolong’,” she says.
“In the meantime, I’m happy to do a movie with David Licauco, ‘Without You’, produced by OctoArts Films and to be shown on February 15.”
They’ve been paired before in “Because I Love You” four years ago and it didn’t do well.
What’s the difference of ‘Without You” from that?
“Romcom po yun and this one is a serious romantic drama about relationships,” she says.
“Baguhan pa lang kami ni David noon. Now, we’ve both gained more experience and we have a bigger fan base after the success of ‘Lolong’ and his ‘Maria Clara at Ibarra’.
"Also, maganda talaga ang material at hinimay-himay po ng director naming si RC de los Reyes ang various elements ng movie, so we’re confident na mas maganda ito. Pinagpe-pray namin na sana, mas makabawi kami rito.”
For the first time, she agreed to do love scenes and hot kissing scenes in a movie.
“Our director explained na kailangan talaga yun to show kung gaano ka-intense ang relationship ng characters namin ni David as Axel and Ria. Okay lang naman kasi comfortable ako kay David.
"He’s such a gentleman at magaan talaga katrabaho.
"I think that’s one reason that when we watched the movie in a special screening, sabi nila, our chemistry with each other really works so well on screen.”
In the movie’s presscon, David says she is a good kisser.
“Naku, first time may nagsabi sa akin ng ganyan,” Shaira says, laughing.
“E, siya rin naman, he’s also a good kisser. Basta ako, I’m glad I accepted this movie and I’m proud of it kasi the situation between our characters, na nagkakalabuan but is trying to save their relationship, is very relatable.”
Did she have to ask the permission of her real life BF Edgar Allan Guzman to do her bedscenes with David?
“No, I felt I didn’t have to kasi career ko naman ito. Also, 27 na ako and it’s time for me to stop doing pa-tweetums and try more mature roles.
"But nagpa-heads up naman ako sa kanya and I informed him what’s expected from me to do in the movie and very supportive naman siya.
"Ten years na kami ni EA and we both know we can trust each other. Sabi pa niya, bagay kayo ni David, nakakakilig kayo.
"So I’m sure he will watch the movie with me.”
“Without You” tackles the issue of having an open relationship. Would she agree to try it in real life?
“I know iba na ang panahon ngayon, so siguro, for others, it might work.
"Yung may karelasyon ka na, pero puede ka pa ring makipag-date sa iba. But ako kasi, I’m in a long term relationship.
"Like I said, ten years na kami ni EA this February 11 and we’ve remained committed to each other. I don’t think I’ll ever try to explore having an open relationship.”