Glaiza De Castro believes in right timing. After years of patiently waiting for the big break, here comes her first solo-starrer on TV, Grazilda, a fantasy-drama based very loosely on the French folk tale made popular by Disney, Cinderella.

“They always say that everything happens at the right time.  I guess this is the most perfect time for me to take on this challenge. I have been patiently waiting and praying, and Grazilda is an answered prayer,” she said.

Noted for her consistent and heartfelt performances on both film and TV, Glaiza admits that she is starting to feel the pressure. “I think there’s nothing wrong in being nervous and shaky about such a big project. I think it’s always better to be nervous than to be overconfident. Being nervous means you are still very much grounded, and you feel the emotions normal people feel when given such a huge responsibility.”

At 22, Glaiza has never been to college but she speaks like one who has learned a lot in the real school of life. She once enrolled in the Open University Program of the University of the Philippines, but her schedules prevented her from setting aside regular time for the requirements.

“I value education.  I would want to go back to normal schooling someday but the opportunities that are coming require me to give my 100 percent focus and attention,” she added.

For the new show, Glaiza is given a wonderful ensemble of prized actors to back her up. Consider the names: Rio Locsin, Joel Torre, Cherie Gil. Glaiza will have matinee idol Geoff Eigenmann as her leading man, and Dominic Zapata will direct the show.

“I really look forward to busy days ahead. This is a dream come true and I cannot just rest on my laurels. Life is about giving and taking, and I know that GMA has entrusted me this wonderful role and I have a responsibility to give it my best shot.”

Waiting to exhale

IN a few months, Ryan Agoncillo will be a dad. This early, the expectant father is already making sure that his more popular wife Judy Ann Santos will have the smoothest delivery by enrolling her in a birthing class. “You hear a lot of tales about childbirth and I want to make sure that my wife will be physically, mentally and psychologically ready when the time to give birth comes,” he intoned.

Ryan shared that they already have a name for the baby, Juan Luis.  “We are still trying to agree about his nickname, but at this time we are centering on Lucho.”

While waiting for the big moment to come, Ryan keeps himself busy with increasing his savings account. “I am looking forward to a lot of expenses, you know,” he joked. He has agreed to play a drag queen in a new TV5 show, titled Lady Gaga, where he costars with Roderick Paulate, Mylene Dizon and Keempee de Leon. He also does his weekly chores as host of the talent show Talentadong Pinoy, also on TV5.

But what excites Ryan is the continuous influx of brand endorsements that come his way. Like the most recent Enervon C commercial which has started to air on major TV stations.

“I guess I just have to be always thankful for all these blessings.” Never mind if some people say that these are the fruits of being Mr. Judy Ann Santos, because Ryan knows that he works hard for the money.

“I really have to work double time because I’m raising a family. And I definitely want to give my family a good life,” he said.

On an upswing

Mark Anthony Fernandez is shaping up to be one of GMA’s most reliable leading men.  With a new weekend month-long show, Love Bug Presents: Say I Do, which pairs him with controversial star Lovi Poe, Mark told us that he is glad that he is being given a wide range of roles to portray on television.

“It helps that an actor like me is assigned different roles.  While I do mostly drama, being included in light, romantic shows is a big welcome.”

One of the real survivors in show business, Mark is happy that his career is on an upswing, which really started after his actor-dad Rudy Fernandez passed away.

“I am glad that life always gives us second chances. I think the public knows what I have been through, you know, the many major mistakes I have made in my young life, and the many hurdles I have had to go through. But God is good and forgiving and generous, and I’m blessed not only with a reactivated showbiz career but also with a small, happy family.”