YSABEL ORTEGA started in showbiz as a Kapamilya when she was 16 years old. She played support and contravida roles in soaps like ‘Born for You’, ‘Pusong Ligaw’ and ‘On the Wings of Love’.
She felt nothing much was happening to her career so, four years later, she moved to GMA Network.
She was given supporting roles in “Pepito Manaloto” and “The Gift”.
Then she was quickly given lead roles opposite Miguel Tanfelix in “What We Could Be” and now, “Voltes V Legacy”, which are both shown on primetime. So her decision to be a Kapuso proved to be worth it.
Despite her work in showbusiness, Ysabel has not neglected her college studies and has a degree in Political Economy from the University of Asia and the Pacific.
Given the opportunity, she still wants to continue her studies and take up law. She is happy to be part of the big-budgeted “Voltes V Legacy” now showing on GMA-7 right after “24 Oras” at 8 PM.
“We’re all thankful that the run in theaters was very successful,” she says.
“Talagang dinagsa ng mga tao. And now that we’re airing regularly on primetime, we’re so glad for the very warm reception given by the audience.
"Talagang lagi kaming trending gabi-gabi. I feel so proud to be part of a hit show like ‘Voltes V Legacy’.
In the story, she plays the role of Jamie Robinson, the only girl among the five members of the Voltes V team. How did she prepare for her role?
“I did a lot of research muna. I watched the original anime show.
"I’m so grateful na ako ang napili ni Direk Mark Reyes to play it and I felt hindi ako dapat mapahiya sa kanya so I gave it my 101 percent. I really trained hard physically even before our lock in shoot started during the pandemic.”
People stayed indoors because of the virus but she went regularly to the gym to train in boxing, martial arts and also on how to do stunts and action scenes.
“Hindi biro ang pinagdaanan ko in the training I underwent. I really had to sweat it out.
"But it’s all worth it as they all came in handy when we're already doing the action scenes during the shoot of ‘Voltes V Legacy’.
"Even when I’m at home, I train by myself and it also helped na lumakas ang resistance ko at hindi ako tinablan ng virus.”
Can she relate with her characters as Jamie?
“Oh yes, I feel we have a lot in common. Unang-una na yung we are both trying to prove ourselves.
"Na kahit babae ka, kaya mong gawin kung ano ang ginagawa ng mga lalaki. She is properly motivated so determined siya to succeed in her goals.
"E, ganun din naman ako. I feel both of us are brave enough to welcome any challenges and face any demands that will come our way to be able to prove ourselves worthy.”
Netizens praise her performance and say she looks good in her colorful costume.
“Yes, salamat po at nagustuhan nila. The costume really helped for me to portray my role credibly.
"When you are wearing it, it helps boost your confidence na we can do our roles well at parang superhero talaga ang dating mo.
"E, talagang ginastusan naman ng GMA ang costumes namin at umaabot daw sa P350,000 ang cost ng bawat costume naming lima sa Voltes V.”
She’s being linked romantically to her leading man, Miguel Tanfelix. So what is the real score between them?
“After being paired in two shows, we have really become very, very close,” she says.
“Lalo na nga, lock in taping kami, so we have plenty of time to spend with each other sa set.
"But not only with him but also the other members of the cast. We all support each other and we became one happy family.
"Kami ni Miguel, we are really enjoying each other’s company, we’re comfortable with one another, but we don’t want to rush things.
"Mga bata pa naman kami so our careers remain to be our priority. At hindi naman tungkol sa love team ang ‘Voltes V Legacy’ kundi about saving our planet earth from alien invaders, so doon muna po tayo.”
