Iza as Kapamilya: I feel like a newbie again

IZA CALZADO

Iza Calzado admits she’s still learning the ropes at her new home network, ABS-CBN. It has been seven months since she left GMA 7, where she was a contract artist for 10 years.

“Nangangapa pa ako [I’m still familiarizing myself]. I once joked that everyone should wear nametags,” Iza said during a recent media gathering for her first Kapamilya drama series, “Kahit Puso’y Masugatan.”

The 29-year-old actress/TV host/model said she felt the sincerity of people whom she works with at the ABS-CBN studios. “Nakakataba ng puso [It’s heartwarming]. The people under [business unit head] Lauren Dyogi provide me with everything I need. They’re all professionals. They take their work seriously. They will stop at nothing to get the best possible result for one project.”

Iza debunked the rumor that her father, the late dancer-choreographer Lito Calzado, had opposed her move to ABS-CBN because he worked in GMA 7 for many years. “My dad would never stop me from moving here. He wanted me to spread my wings,” she said. “[Choreographer] Maribeth Bichara came up to me during a show where my father was given a posthumous lifetime achievement award and said, ‘Your dad had wanted you to transfer.’ I was ready to renew my contract with GMA 7 then, but was shaken with what she said.”

The challenge of working in a  new environment has excited Iza. “It helped reignite my passion in acting. I felt like a newbie again. I wanted to prove something. I worked hard in all of my scenes, no matter how small,” she said. “I was worried. Will my first TV series actually work? It has been almost a year since my last. I still have a lot to do … I want to continue improving and learning. I want my parents, although they are both in heaven, to be proud of me.”

“Kahit Puso’y Masugatan” is the story of Andrea [Iza] and Veronica [Andi Eigennman] who, in their childhood years, learn to love and care for each other like real sisters until an unfortunate circumstance set them apart.

“I want to work with someone who trusts me. Since Andi and I play sisters, it’s important that viewers see how close we are. We shot some good scenes last Wednesday. I was impressed with what Andi can do at her age,” Iza said.

Asked how she coped with a wounded heart, Iza said: “I cry. That’s the first thing I do whenever I feel pain.” The actress broke up with her nonshow-biz boyfriend over a year ago. “This happens not just in romantic relationships, but also with work, like if things don’t go right. What’s important is that I keep the faith, in God and in myself.”

“Kahit Puso’y Masugatan,” directed by Wenn Deramas, also stars Jake Cuenca, Gabby Concepcion, Jacklyn Jose, Malou De Guzman, Mylene Dizon, Assunta De Rossi, Cris Villanueva, DJ Durano, Mickey Ferriols and Barbara Perez. The show premieres tomorrow after “Lorenzo’s Time” in ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida timeslot.

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