(From left) Dolly de Leon, Liza Soberano. Images: Instagram/@dollyedeleon, Instagram/@lizasoberano
While Dolly de Leon admitted that there is still value in the love team culture in local showbiz, she said that Liza Soberano — who made the controversial remark back in April — deserves to “speak her truth.”
During an interview with broadcast journalist Julius Babao, which was uploaded on his YouTube channel last Tuesday, May 23, de Leon said Soberano has the right to share her experiences as an actress in the Philippines, considering that the latter had been part of such, being one-half of the popular LizQuen pairing with on- and off-screen partner Enrique Gil.
The “Triangle of Sadness” star’s statement comes a month after Soberano claimed during a “Get Real” podcast interview that being part of a love team is the “only way” for aspiring celebrities to gain fame in the local entertainment industry.
The topic about onscreen pairings came up after Babao asked the award-winning actress to share her thoughts on the matter, without disclosing Soberano’s name.
“Love teams are still okay, but it depends on the actor. Kung hindi mo type mag-love team, don’t attach yourself to a love team (If you don’t want to be in a love team, don’t attach yourself to one),” de Leon said, as she gave her two-cents about the popular phenomenon in local showbiz.
“But there’s still value to it kasi may mga taong makaka-relate sa mga storya ng young love kasi a large part of our population is composed of young people. So, they want to see a reflection of themselves. But it also matters when we tell other stories [to] make sure that everyone is represented. Kaya hindi rin ako pabor na mawala siya. If some people think it won’t be good for them, then don’t do it. But for other people, it works,” she continued. (There’s still value to it because there are people who can relate to young love, as a large part of our population is composed of young people… That’s why I am not totally against it.)
Despite seeing the value in love teams, de Leon pointed out that the actress deserves to have a space where she can “speak her truth.”
“Whatever she said, it’s her truth and we have to respect it. We should allow people to voice out whatever [their problems are]. Like me, I’ve been voicing out so many things, diba? So why not also give her that space? She deserves to speak her truth,” she said.
The Golden Globe nominee further pointed out that Soberano, young as she was when she entered showbiz, deserves to be respected for voicing out her thoughts.
“And for me, kung marami siyang mga negative feelings or hinanakit (If she has many ill feelings or resentment), it’s only human for us to talk about that and be honest about our experiences. There’s nothing wrong with that,” she said. “She was really very young I think when that happened and for her it impacted her in a negative way and we have to respect her for feeling that way. There’s nothing wrong with it.”
‘Naka-penetrate na siya sa Hollywood’
During the interview, de Leon also noted that Soberano has already “penetrated Hollywood” even if “Lisa Frankenstein” has yet to air, saying that it’s an opportunity for her to “build her seeds” in the industry.
“Actually, naka-penetrate na siya sa Hollywood. Meron siyang… ‘Lisa Frankenstein’. Malapit na ‘yan. Baka before you know it, andiyan na siya. And just the fact na she was able to do ‘Lisa Frankenstein,’ that’s promising already. Naka-build na siya ng seeds diyan. May mga susunod na ‘yan,” she said.
(Actually, we was able to penetrate Hollywood already. She has Lisa Frankenstein, so that’s close. Before you know it, she’s there already… She’s been able to plant the seeds of her career there, and there would be more to come.)
De Leon also revealed that she had already met Soberano “twice” when they worked together in “Bagani” and “Alone Together,” but they didn’t have the chance to interact behind the scenes.
When asked to give advice to aspiring actors, the “A Very Good Girl” star told them to remind themselves about their purpose for entering the industry and to keep “accepting more work.”
“Isipin niyo kung bakit gusto niyong maging artista, anong motivation niyo (Think about why you wanted to become an artist, what is your motivation)? And if your motivation is for the right reasons, keep studying, keep researching. Improve and hone your craft for the right reasons,” she said.
“And just keep your heart open and your horizons as wide as you can. Be professional, and the blessings will arrive. And tanggap ako nang tanggap ng trabaho (I’ve been accepting one job after another). Whenever you accept work, you are connected to more people. Lumalawak ‘yung network mo (You are expanding your nework). If you keep accepting, it’s like you’re planting more seeds. Then, more work pops up. So that’s why hindi talaga pwede maging choosy (That’s why one cannot be too choosy at work),” she further added.
Following her “Triangle of Sadness” success, de Leon will star with Kathryn Bernardo in the upcoming film “A Very Good Girl,” as well as Khalil Ramos and Maris Racal in the Antoinette Jadaone-helmed project “Simula sa Gitna.”
The actress was also casted at an undisclosed series in Germany and is set to appear in several Hollywood films, although details are yet to be disclosed. EDV