Taking the Lead

From a surprise hit daytime drama series to prime time. Pretty impressive for a former talent search contestant. Now if Kris Bernal could only stop underestimating herself.

PARANG ‘di naman karapat-dapat. Parang ang kapal naman ng mukha ko,” Kris Bernal, the lead star of GMA-7’s prime time soap All My Life, says of being compared to a certain actress. At the rate her show biz career has been going, it seems she’s being rather too modest, harsh on herself even. While everyone at GMA seemed to be anticipating on its new Marian Rivera, Carla Abellana, after nabbing the title role in Rosalinda, a remake of a Mexican telenovela, Kris, together with constant on-screen pair and Starstruck batchmate Aljur Abrenica, became the network’s under-the-radar success story when their first starrer, the afternoon drama Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin, rated beyond expectations.

Dapat Ka Bang Mahalin is a remake of the 1984 film starring Sharon Cuneta and Gabby Concepcion, about a young couple whose marriage is threatened by infidelity.

Nobody was more relieved by the show’s success than Kris, who felt pressured, although touched, when GMA offered her her first lead role. Besides her and Aljur’s fans, the 20-year-old actress credits it all to her ‘best.’ “GMA had great expectations so I really did my best. Lahat ng hirap ko binigay ko kahit naiiyak na ‘ko sa pagod,” she recalls. That she was reprising the role made famous by Sharon Cuneta, who’s known for being protective of her movies being remade, added to the pressure. “Wala naman po akong narinig (sa kanya). Of course, I knew that I could never be as good as her. But what I do know is that I really did my best to give justice to the role,” she says.

Whether or not Kris’ performance gained Sharon’s stamp of approval, one thing was clear: audiences loved Kris. GMA quickly took notice and gave her another show just as Dapat was about to end-this time, on its prime time programming block.

The trophy project is All My Life, the biggest break in Kris’ career. All My Life is the story of childhood sweethearts (Kris and Aljur) torn apart by family tragedy. Prior to the show, she had done supporting roles in GMA-7 hits like Boys Next Door, Zaido, Dyesebel, and Luna Mystika after she won the title Ultimate Loveteam along with Mart Escudero in the network’s talent search, Starstruck, in 2007.

Again, Kris felt the pressure of headlining a show. “I was happy and excited and thankful to be given this kind of opportunity. At the same time, I was nervous,” she says. “Whenever Aljur and I would meet with our bosses, the nerves are really there.”

Actually, being leading lady hasn’t sunk in. “Ano ba, bagay ba sa ‘ken?” she asks.

Having a short time to prepare for the show didn’t help calm Kris’ nerves. “We were really not prepared for the show. Bigla lang sinabi sa ‘min para hindi daw mawala ‘yung momentum. So we really maximized our time. We did our best to make the show worth watching. Talagang all the demands of the show ginawa ko,” she says.

Her hard work and dedication, it seems, has been paying off. All My Life director Mac Alejandre has dubbed Kris and Aljur as the country’s next big loveteam. They have also been tapped by Regal Entertainment for I’ll Be Waiting for You, their launching movie as a loveteam, directed by the highly acclaimed Maryo J. Delos Reyes.

With so many opportunities coming her way, and a hectic schedule-tapings for All My Life can last up to more than 24 hours-Kris has decided not to rush her off-screen romance with Aljur, whom she describes as a really sweet guy. “Right now, I guess the perfect term for us would be special friends. He’s courting me again, but we know our limitations and we’re taking everything one step at a time because of our work,” she says.

Looks like Aljur is one persistent dude, though, as Kris confesses that he reminded her he also courted her during their Starstruck days. “But I was into the competition at the time so I didn’t notice. So when he told me about it after Starstruck I was like, ‘Ay, sorry, hindi ko alam.’

            What Kris does know is that she wants to be in this business for the long haul. She hopes to be able to work with Director Joel Lamangan. And although she’s contented playing safe, pa-tweetums roles for now, she wants to eventually take on more challenging and disturbing characters. “Kasi ‘yung mga binibigay sa ‘kin parang mga normal na tao lagi!” she says. And if she would have her way, Kris would like to follow the career path of Kim Chiu (“‘Di siya nagbo-bold or whatever pero nakakaangat siya, ‘di ba?”). But the one actor she admires the most is Judy Ann Santos, whom she worked with in the 2007 movie Mag-Ingat Ka Sa...Kulam. “She’s my favorite of all the actresses that I have worked with. I was really shy around her when we worked together, but she made me feel comfortable. She’s not only a good actress, she also gets along well with her coworkers-down to the staff and crew. Idol ko talaga siya.” -With reporting by Jacqueline Agatep

Kris and Tell 

            If I weren’t an actor, I’d like to be... a nurse. Actually, before I entered show biz, I was taking up Nursing at the Trinity University of Asia. I only finished first year college, though. I’d also love to be a flight attendant, kaya lang hindi pasado sa height eh.

            The sweetest thing Aljur has done for me is...Valentine’s Day last year, while we had a show in SM Baguio, he brought me to this store selling stuff toys. Then he told me to help him pick the one I liked the most because he said he will give it to his sister. So I did. Then to my suprise, he gave it to me!

            My celebrity crushes are... JC De Vera, Jake Cuenca, and Orlando Bloom. The thing is I’m not really into pirate movies, but I watched Pirates of the Caribbean because of Orlando.

            Whenever there’s downtime during tapings, I... play PSP or surf the Internet. But if I’m doing a dramatic show, I try to avoid being too relaxed. So I usually read scripts during my free time.

            My ultimate wardrobe staple are... dresses. Even if I would just go to the mall, you’d still see me wearing a dress.

            If I could raid the closet of another person, it would be... Blair Waldorf from Gossip Girl.

            I love to shop for... designer bags. Kasi nu’ng hindi pa ‘ko artista, natutuwa ako pag nakikita ko ‘yung ibang artista na naka-Louis Vuitton, Chanel. Inggitera ako! The most expensive one I’ve ever had is the Limited Edition Louis Vuitton bag worth P200,000 which my aunt bought from the States. Actually, since I get asked about my bags by a lot of people, I now keep a list of all of them para kukuwentahin ko na lang!

            The part of my body I’m most insecure of... got to be my legs. 

            People would be surprised to know that...I’m not into bar-hopping or going out at night. Kaya nga feeling ko loser ako pag sinasama ako sa bar ng mga friends ko eh.

            The best thing about being a celebrity is... the freebies!

Clothes, accessories, and clothes by Missology by Josie Maik located at Crossing’s Department Store, TriNoma Mall.

Makeup by Jake Galvez using L’Oreal Professionnel

Hairstyling by Ella Tango of The Tony Galvez Salon, 124 9th Ave., Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City; 9133953/3962112.

Special thanks to Leah Marcos

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