9 minute read

The Sweet Escape

from Blnc No. 9: Vision Issue

by BLNC MAGAZINE

from Blnc No. 9: Vision Issue, page 80

Flower Boy

Rhian Ramos

**Ruffled denim top: JEROME TAYAO Couture neoprene skirt: MEAN MARQUEDA Silver ankle boots: NEREKU**

Rhian Denise Ramos Howell or well-known as Rhian Ramos who is a Filipina actress, commercial model, and singer. She talks about her journey of being an actress and her stepping stone was a bit surprising!

A Conversation with the Dreamer

What are you passionate about?

I’m really passionate about acting. I also got into extracurricular things like, car racing or working out. Sometimes I leave for a day every two weeks just because I want to sweat the whole day and to release stress. Recently, I discovered that I’m also passionate about music. I have a habit of writing my thoughts so that I can write songs.

How did you turn your passion into work?

With regard to acting it happened on its own that it became my job when I started acting I wasn’t yet passionate about it. When you are young you get used to pa-cute projects which don’t require a lot of commitment. But like later on, you start looking for something, a little different, difficult or challenging. I discovered my concept of acting pala was I didn’t even know that you could really like lose yourself if you are committed to it. Now I try to leave the business side to other people to handle like, billing or hours so that I can focus on just being believable and trying to keep acting as an art.

What do you dream about? Was being in show business really your dream?

“Not really” it’s kinda unexpected path (couldn’t even speak Tagalog yet) that God seemed to have put me on. And I think, sometimes dreams come true before you even dream them up. It’s called destiny when it happens and it just takes a bit of gratitude to recognize that.”

“When I was in high school what I wanted was only to buy a drum set and my parents didn’t want to buy it for me. So I was like ok gonna find a way.”

I was just in the mall when I was offered to do a commercial by an agency and then I considered it like ok I should do it so I can I buy a freaking drum set. (laugh) And then I did, my McDonalds commercial ad was aired. By that time Angel had to do Darna and Richard had to do to Captain Barbel. From there I was spotted by someone from GMA and I was asked to audition as Richard’s leading lady.

**Floral crop top: KEITH ANGELO of WEARING MISS KEITH Skirt and leather gloves: UBERFINDS Pleated mesh skirt: PARALUMAN® by BEA SAMSON**

**Texturized menswear suit jacket: ROSBERT VILLAR Skirt with snap detailing: MEAN MARQUEDA Silver sunglasses: UBERFINDS**

What/Who motivates you to do well in acting?

I don’t really have a formal training in acting. I did though start getting an acting coach before with Jay Cruz. I learned that you have to be empathetic or intelligent. You don’t have to be both it’s like an either or kind of thing. I think the intelligence it’s like fake-it-to-make-it route and being empathetic is being really natural ‘cause you just have to be you and feel whatever the scene makes you feel. I used to depend on my relationship scene partner but now I make sure I become more reactive than planning how to feel cause it works for me.

How did you overcome challenges throughout your dream journey?

My life is no way perfect but I’m grateful for all parts of it even the negative part. There’s nothing I would change even as “imperfect” it may seem. I fully recognize that I’m way more lucky than most people. If you’ve been through of any kind of failure in your life at times like you feel it’s the end of the world. But after you get through a lot of pain nothing can hurt you. Matibay ka!

How do you respond to what others say about you?

I don’t respond anymore, I think there was a time that I’ll be a little more sensitive about it. Especially when social media was starting out . I used to respond and I would take a troll or a basher as if he/she said it to my face. But now that I have a better understanding of social media and the internet I don’t take it personally anymore.

What are your goals this year?

I started in showbiz at 15 when I did my first primetime soap and it’s only now that I am 27 that I’m starting to realize that I don’t have adult memories of being a private person. So I think I wanna travel a little more to absorb and remember what it feels like. I’ve never lived away from home and it’s one of my goals this year to try and build a little more independent, like get a condo.

For the longest time like I’ve been a heavy drama actress for like 4 to 5 years. It was my goal which I’ve achieved until I got something that I wanted which was the “One That Got Away” and finally did a rom-com role. I was so nervous about it because like maybe people don’t think that’s who I am. Maybe they just feel like they wanna cry at my face ‘cause I have this chronic sad face. (laugh) But yeah it goes well accepted and that was such a giant load on my shoulder. That’s why now I can say I’m really living my dream. I grew up watching things like Saturday nightlife and comedy was like I think my passion which no one really knows. After this makakaipon ako ng hunger again to do something emotionally challenging. Right now, I’m enjoying the mental challenge of comedy and next is I’m going to take an action.

**Ruffled neoprene top: MEAN MARQUEDA Silk trench coat: PARALUMAN® by BEA SAMSON**

**Plaid dress with pleated mesh detail: PARALUMAN® by BEA SAMSON Detachable sleeves: IMMA COLARINA Snakeskin stilettos: UBERFINDS**

What is your universal advice for people who wants to reach their dreams?

Never give up! You’ll be surprised how much of life you can actually have control of.

Have you been to Cebu?

Yes.

What do you like most about the city?

My view about Cebuanos they are very artistic. they are also a business minded. they have a good way of like turning their art into you know their life. so I really have a high respect for the people there and they are also kind of foodies, so I like the food there. haha, but would you believe that I’ve never been to a beach in Cebu, the people there are so lucky to have a city and the beach. it is a 2in1.

Is there any memorable moment that you experience there?

It was only once my friends and I decided. I need to experience Sinulog. what is Sinulog for everyone? I went and bought one of those masks with like the feathers. and I was just on the street and no one knew and it was so much fun cause once you are there it was like we are a big family and we are going through the same thing. that was the best thing about it.