Princess Ryzza

CAST of “Princess in the Palace” and Ryzza Mae Dizon (center) with Tito (fifth from right), Vic (second from right) and Joey (right)

After hosting her own talk show, child star Ryzza Mae Dizon is now top-billing the comedy drama series “Princess in the Palace,” which, she said, is a big challenge for her.

“This is my first time doing a soap, and it’s hard! Before this,  I just sang, danced and chatted with people. Now, I have to act and cry. I need to memorize my lines,” Ryzza told reporters at a press conference. “And there are times when you have to be serious!”

Having starred mostly in comedy programs and movies in the past, Ryzza has grown used to delivering punch lines and making people laugh. But she’s glad, she said, that she gets to experience new things. “I wanted to try doing a soap, because I haven’t yet.”

Luckily for Ryzza, show director Mike Tuviera is always there to guide her.

Tuviera  described the child star as “very professional.” “She’s disciplined. She arrives on the set knowing the script. And most importantly, she listens,” Tuviera said, adding that “Princess” is a project of many firsts for the 2012 Little Miss Philippines winner. “She did her first crying scene, her first breakdown scene, here.”

In “Princess in the Palace”—presented by APT En  tertainment—Ryzza plays Princess Cruz, a poor but jolly young girl who crosses paths and forms a deep bond with the fictitious Philippine President Leona Jacinto (Eula Valdez).

Giggly girl

Asked what she misses from hosting her self-titled talk show, Ryzza said it’s doing live TV and… the food on the set. “Sometimes our guests were chefs and taught us different recipes,” related the giggly Kapuso celeb, who excused herself to go to the bathroom, only to get food at the buffet table.

Meanwhile, “Princess” cast member Aiza Seguerra, another famous former “Little Miss,” said it’s nice to watch Ryzza grow as a performer.

“She has already proven that she can carry a talk show. And when it comes to acting, I’ve noticed that her timing has vastly improved from the last time we worked together (in the 2013 movie ‘My Little Bossings’),” Aiza told the Inquirer. “She’s improving and learning to draw from her experiences.”

Also starring Boots Anson-Roa, Dante Rivero, Ciara Sotto, Marc Abaya, Ces Quesada, Vince de Jesus and Neil Perez, “Princess in the Palace” airs on weekdays before “Eat Bulaga!” on GMA 7. Allan Policarpio

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