All Ritz Azul knew last Monday was that she was going to a story conference. When she later found out that she was going to star in “Kidlat,” TV5’s new superhero fantaserye as one of two love interests of Derek Ramsey, she almost broke into tears.
“Dito ko lang talaga naman kung ano ang gagawin ko,” the elated TV5 Princess told Interaksyon after the story conference. “Pagkarinig ko ng story kay Direk Mike Tuviera, halos mangiyak-ngiyak ako sa tuwa.”
Ritz has plenty of reasons to be happy with her new project. Although the 18-year-old “Star Factor” alumna from Pampanga remains visible a presence on the Kapatid network as she is also a mainstay of the weekly sitcom “Kapitan Awesome” and the Sunday noontime game show “Game N’ Go” as part of the new Game N’ Go Gang, she’s been hoping to get a new teleserye after last year’s “Glamorosa.”
“Tama ‘yung paniniwala ko na naghihintay lang ang TV5 ng right time para bigyan ako ng bagong teleserye, and I’m glad it’s ‘Kidlat’ kasi even before ‘Glamorosa’ pa, madalas akong tanungin kung sino ang gusto kong maging leading man. Ang lagi kong sagot, Derek Ramsay. So this is a dream come true na rin for me kasi parang may nakarinig nung dasal ko,” she exclaimed.
In “Kidlat,” Ritz is also looking forward to working with director Mike Tuviera, a veteran fantasy director who puts a premium on the performances of his actors.
“I’m all about performance and I will only allow the best version of yourselves to be used on TV,” Direk Mike told his cast. Come on time, come prepared, know your lines, treat this seriously, and I promise you, you will all look good here.”
“Bigla akong na-pressure sa mga requirements ni Direk Mike,” Ritz admitted. “Pero tama naman sya, kailangan naman lahat namin yun, especially the discipline. I’m excited to meet all the challenges of this project.”
Ritz is not sure if she’ll be doing action scenes in the series since her character is a mortal with no superpowers but added that she’s prepared to do such scenes if her role calls for them.
“I’ve tried drama and I’ve also done comedy so okay din naman kung may konting action. Pero based on the story conference, mukhang it’s more drama ulit for me here,” she added.
Since becoming one of TV5’s primetime princesses along with Alex Gonzaga, Danita Paner, Eula Caballero, Arci Muñoz and Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Ritz’s efforts at working on her craft has not gone unnoticed.
Her unforgettable turn as Daisy Flores in last year’s “Mga Nagbabagang Bulaklak” won for her two awards, Outstanding Breakthrough Performance by an Actress from the Golden Screen TV Awards and the Amazing Female Newcomer from Yahoo! Philippines OMG Awards.
When asked if there is such a thing as “sibling rivalry” between her and her fellow Kapatid stars, Ritz laughed and quickly retorted.
“Ah, wala, kaya nga sa TV5, mga Kapatid kami kasi para talaga kaming magkakapatid,” she shot back.
On being a part of the recentt “Dolphy Alay Tawa” concert scheduled to air on the three major networks this Sunday, Ritz said she feels so blessed to be given a chance to be a part of such a momentous moment.
“I also got the chance to interact with the other networks talents like Enzo Pineda, Wynwyn Marquez, Aljur Abrenica, Rocco Nacino and Miss Pauleen Luna. Mababait naman silang lahat and very supportive,” she revealed.
With the way her career is going, Ritz said she could not ask for anything more right now. As for the prospects of having a love team, she leaves it up to TV5 to decide on what’s best for her career.
When told that her dream leading man, Derek Ramsay, is currently single, Ritz just smiled and said, “Oo nga, balita ko din, single nga siya.”
source: interaksyon.com
