‘StarStruck 7’ female champ Shayne Sava inspired by pressure of working with ‘legends’ in ‘Legal Wives’

Shayne Sava (right) with Cherie Gil in “Legal Wives”

“I was nervous at first, because some of them are legends.”

This was how Shayne Sava, “StarStruck” season 7’s ultimate female survivor, described how she felt about working with Cherie Gil, Dennis Trillo and Alice Dixson in the television series “Legal Wives,” which will soon air on the Kapuso network.

“But they’re all very nice,” Shayne added. “I’m so happy about that because I always want to learn something new.”

The cast of “Legal Wives” also includes Bianca Umali, Andrea Torres and Shayne’s “StarStruck” batchmate Abdul Raman.

Acting tips

“They (veteran coactors) give me advice, usually when we’re eating or having our makeup done. They give me acting tips—vocalization, how to attack my character. You have to be aware of what’s happening around you. You have to identify the mood of the scene, so you know what to expect … so you can act well and give what you have to give to your coactors,” the 18-year-old GMA 7 talent related.

The pressure is unavoidable, Shayne admitted. “I have to do my best and do more workshops to continue to improve. The pressure also inspires me to work harder,” she said.

Shayne Sava

Breadwinner

As the breadwinner of her family, Shayne admitted that the COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting lockdowns were some of the most “stressful” things she had experienced in her life.

The local entertainment industry ground to a halt just six months after winning the reality talent search ended. And just like that, her excitement turned into apprehension.

“‘StarStruck’ had just ended when the pandemic happened. So, I was stressed, thinking about what would happen to us. There were bills to pay and other financial expenses, but there was no income. What were we supposed to do?” Shayne said in a recent virtual conference.

“I’m supporting my family, because my mother and stepfather also lost their jobs,” she added.

But as 2020 wore on, projects started trickling in. “Fortunately, I can count on my network not to neglect me. Work came back when the ‘-Ber’ months came. I’m back on track. And I can only hope that this is just the start of more offers to come,” she said.

Finally, after more than a year of waiting, she landed her first role in “Legal Wives.” Did she grow impatient, especially after seeing some of her “StarStruck” colleagues booking shows before she—the winner—did?

“I believe in the right timing—I believe in God’s perfect time. If something’s meant for me, He will give it to me,” she pointed out. “I just have to wait for the blessings that are right for me.”

Muslim Maranao royalties

“Legal Wives,” which revolves around Muslim Maranao royalties, will have Shayne playing a Muslim woman. “I’m excited and nervous, because this is my first series. I’m working with veterans so I have to study my script, do my own research to portray my character well and keep my work ethic in check,” she said.

On Abdul, whom she had pegged as the “mysterious type” at first, Shayne said: “We usually got paired during the competition, and we just clicked. And we got closer even without the help of workshops. Our personalities jibed.”

“I thought he was masungit, ’di namamansin. He usually spoke in English, too. So I didn’t think we would get along well,” she said. “But the more we talked, the more I realized that we have a lot of things in common … We want to work on our friendship more for the good of the love team.”