Kate Valdez
While her fans and the people around her have been persuading Kate Valdez to join beauty pageants, the young actress doesn’t see herself making a career move like that any time soon.
“I have been getting a lot of words of encouragement. But I don’t think I’m ready for something like that. Just looking at the kind of training aspiring beauty queens go through makes me feel pressured. I think I’m OK with the pressure of show biz and acting,” she said in a virtual conference for her contract renewal with Sparkle (GMA Artist Center).
In any case, Kate feels honored that even past beauty titleholders—including Miss Universe Philippines 2014 MJ Lastimosa—see potential in her. “I recently met MJ Lastimosa during a taping for ‘All-Out Sundays.’ Kinukulit nya ako. She said, ‘Ano na, try mo mag-pageant … I also didn’t have plans of joining at first. But I said, ‘I don’t think I can!’” she related, laughing.
Pageants
The last time Kate did anything that resembled a pageant was for a school program during her elementary days. “Pageants are just very different—the gestures, how the contestants act and project. I don’t think I can do all those things onstage, because I find it nerve-racking,” she said. “OK na ako sa acting!”
The 21-year-old GMA artist recently starred in the “Love on Air” installment of the romance anthology “Stories from the Heart.” She played a bubbly radio disc jockey, which, she said, was a refreshing change from the contravida roles she often gets.
“My character there was very jolly. And I’m glad I was given a role like that because it’s closer to my real-life personality,” said Kate who has also appeared in drama series like, “Onanay,” “Sherlock Jr.,” “Anak ni Waray vs. Anak ni Biday” and “Destiny Rose.”
But should she continue playing villains or getting offbeat characters, she would be more than happy to do them. “When I first did a contravida role, I felt a mixture of fear, anxiety and nerves, because I didn’t have an idea how to do it. But after doing a couple of roles, I slowly came to appreciate it. I realized that it’s actually fun playing antagonists. And I think it kind of suits me.”
Valdez
Kate used to get paired with Migo Adecer. But with the “Starstruck” Season 6 winner taking a break from show biz to spend time with his family in Australia, Kate is looking forward to working with different actors. “I’m open to love teams but I think it’s great to work with different people,” she said.
Life amid the pandemic hasn’t been easy for Kate. Not only did she find the new production setup difficult at first; she also had to cope with bouts of anxiety.
“Taping is challenging because you have to quarantine at a hotel and then go into a taping bubble. But I’m so thankful for all the blessings coming my way and the work opportunities GMA 7 are giving me,” she said.
Overwhelmed
“At first, I was overwhelmed because I was used to working and getting tired. I get sad and feel negative emotions. Anxiety was something I didn’t think I would experience. But luckily, I had my mother and sister to open up to,” she said.
One good thing that happened, however, was that the extra time Kate has now allowed her to resume her school, which she had to put on hold for four years.
“I’m currently in senior high school and was given the chance to continue my studies through online classes,” Kate said.
Needless to say, love life is something Kate doesn’t have time for at the moment. “I don’t have suitors. And I’m not complaining or seeking them. I need to focus and take care of myself first,” she said. INQ