Rhian Ramos isn’t defined by her mistakes

RAMOS. “I’ve realized that I wasn’t as smart as I thought I was!”

Early this year, when we were asked to list down our five favorite performances from the movies shown last year, it took us awhile to narrow down our choices. Among lead actors, our top picks included those turned in by Eddie Garcia (“Bwakaw”), Aga Muhlach (“Of All The Things”), Jericho Rosales (“Alagwa”), John Lloyd Cruz (“Unofficially Yours”), and Bembol Roco (“Thy Womb”).

There was a “surprise” inclusion on our Best Actress list, however: Joining Nora Aunor (“Thy Womb”), Angel Locsin (“One More Try”), Ama Quiambao (“Diablo”),  and Olga Natividad (“Mga Dayo”) was Rhian Ramos, for her deliciously sinister turn in “My Kontrabida Girl.”

Some actors are defined by the mistakes they make more than their dramatic mettle—but, not Rhian. After her tumultuous breakup with Mo Twister, she worked hard to steer her career onward to a more positive trajectory.

Bad publicity    

When we met the elusive 22-year-old actress, she told us she was pleased that people were noticing that there was more to her than her romantic upheavals. She exclaimed, “Thanks for the compliment! You know how it is in show biz—there’s always high demand for chismis. But, you can’t let bad publicity get to you!”

These days, Rhian is just as busy taping for the fantaserye, “Indio,” as she is explaining about her love life: “Working on ‘Indio’ is a unique experience—from the village they built in Pagsanjan to the fairies’ lair in a studio in Bulacan to the precise Tagalog words intoned by the characters. Since I’m barefoot throughout the shoot, I have so far stepped into four piles of cow dung! —Just another occupational hazard.”

How does she make her leading men feel comfortable with her? The actress shares, “You need to establish rapport with your co-actors—you have to work at it. In Aljur Abrenica’s case, for example—in the beginning, we didn’t have it, so before a crucial scene, we snuck away from the set, turned our lapels off, and told each other secrets—which instantly established a shared experience!”

Since it’s the Valentine month, what’s an ideal date for her? Rhian gamely discloses, “Matakaw ako (laughs). Unfortunately, in my line of work, I need to look good, so I can’t overeat. This may not sound like the classiest thing to say, but I like going to a buffet—in fact, I have it down to a science: I pick small pieces of everything and cut them in halves. Then, I taste one and go to the next. It’s more a tasting event than an eat-all-you-can affair for me.

“I don’t have vices, so food is the one thing that I enjoy indulging in. Another thing that I do in excess is watching different TV series. I can stay in my room all day watching a marathon of ‘American Horror Story.’”

If her fans asked her about how to deal with heartbreak, what advice would she give them? She quips, “I am the wrong person to ask!

“But, if they insist, OK: There are different levels. With a really bad heartbreak, remind yourself that your world doesn’t revolve around one person—there are other people deserving of your attention! Serious relationships are habit-forming kasi, so you tend to look for the things that you used to do together.

“When I was going through it, my family was a huge help—they were always finding ways to make me feel important. You have to give your love to the person who deserves it. So, I’m glad that I finally found a relationship (with KC Montero) that works for me.”

Is she wiser now? Rhian beams, “Now I know not to put all my eggs in the love life basket! My relationship with KC is 100-percent healthy and happy—and I purposefully used the word ‘healthy,’ because that’s the most important aspect of it.

“It’s wonderful when two people can be supportive rather than jealous of each other. I used to think that I could handle anything. But, I’ve realized that I wasn’t as smart as I thought I was—after all, I was only 19! Now, I’m a little older—and I know better!”