Ciar: Surviving showbiz

Troy Ciar
Super Kah!

Troy Ciar
Super kah

NADISKUBRE si Dionne Monsanto dihang nahimo siyang housemate ni Kuya sa Pinoy Big Brother niadtong 2007. Apan ang iyang mga kadungan sa maong reality show usa-usa nang nangawa. Matod pa lagi nila, “matira ang matibay.” Unsay sikreto sa iyang pagpabilin? ug kumusta na ang Cebuana actress? Maoy pipila lang sa unod sa mosunod natong Q and A. Dionne Monsanto, Super Ka!

Ano ang latest?

I’m doing an indie film, entitled Palad Ta Ang Nagbuot. Directed by Dandin Ranillo, the son of Ms. Gloria Sevilla. The film’s actors are all Visayan. I am not quite sure yet if I am in the position to divulge the storyline. My co-actors are Gloria Sevilla, Nonito Donaire, Jr., Max Surban, Gary Lim, Lollie Mara, Krissel Valdez, Carla Estrada, etc. With the special participation of Mon Confiado.

Kinsay nagkuha nimo to join this project?

Tita Gloria, who I worked with for Be Careful With My Heart, got me for the movie. The aim is mainly to revive the Visayan film industry. This is the first of the many to come.

Do you agree nga lisud kuno sa ABS-CBN kay gawas nga daghang star, di gyud kuno ka mosikat diha kung wa kay padrino?

I don’t know... but it’s very difficult indeed to stay in this business. With all the new batches of different talent and artista searches, I feel very lucky to still be here and still be active in showbiz. From my batch, PBB Season 2, ako nalang ang naa gihapon and active pa sa ABS-CBN, and I thank the Lord everyday for letting me continue what I love doing.

Ngano kaha ni-survive ka?

I don’t know. Maybe because when I work, I really work hard. And when I pray, I pray even harder.

Do you still go to school?

I stopped schooling because it’s very difficult to study and do show business at the
same time. I’m focused with my craft and I am very happy to have gotten lots of very good opportunities for the second half of this year. During the summer, I worked on this film by Star Cinema starring Erich Gonzales and Thailand’s Mario Maurer. It is set to be shown in October.

But you took up Masscom before in UP-Cebu I want to ask your opinion nga sooner or later kuno mawala na ang newspaper industry tu­ngod sa internet.

I don’t think so. I believe newspaper has its own market. I, for one, prefer to read newspapers than read the news online. This I know because I used to write features for local papers in Cebu.

Puwede diay ka mo-branch out from artista to lifestyle writer or reporter?
Puwede! Hehe...

So, after your guesting sa `Be Careful With My Heart’, unsa nay sunod nimong project sa ABS-CBN?

I am now working on an afternoon show entitled Precious Hearts Romances presents Isla, where I play the brother of my fellow Cebuano, Matteo Guidicelli. Isla’s main leads are Jessy Mendiola, Jewel Mische, Matt Evans and Matteo Guidicelli. This is one project that I am really excited about. This is the first time that I will play an older sister nga buotan. Most of the roles I have been given are sexy, devious, conniving. I have always done bad girl roles and I must say it’s really refreshing and quite a challenge to do this role. Maorag sa third quarter this year ni ipasalida.

What if payriton ka ni Manny Pangilinan for TV5?

I haven’t really thought about it. I have been offered a show before but I opted to accept a better offer from my mother station--ABS-CBN. I have always been a Kapamilya, even when I started as an actress for local shows in ABS-CBN Cebu.

Full-time gyud ka sa showbiz?

My sister Aileen and I actually have a small photography business together. Whenever I don’t have work and we are hired to cover an event, I help her out... Mommy Dulce’s birthday is coming up and my gift to her is a trip to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand along with my sister Aileen. We are looking forward to seeing her for her birthday as we discover new cultures together.

I read your bio sa PBB, you said you have half-siblings from different fathers. Can you elaborate? Pila diay mo kabuok managsuon?

Lima. Pero lahi ilang papa sa akoa. With mommy and Papa, ako ra. Ang eldest is my brother Bayani, who is a father of three, a reverend and a councilor in Iligan city; 2nd is Aileen, who is a photographer; 3rd is Abbie who is a mother of three and runs a small business in Consolacion; 4th is Azenith who migrated to Canada with her husband and kids just last year; and then there’s me. I’m the youngest. Layo ang among agwat sa edad. I’m the baby at home.

Asa ka nagpuyo sa Manila?

I used to live with my uncle’s house but it’s now being renovated so I’m living in a condo for now.

Diin ka kadtong grabeng baha?

Sige gihapon ko og shooting ug taping ato nga time, pero pagbaha na gyud giundang lang una ug gi-resume after two days. Pero sa akong area nga gipuy-an wala ra may baha.

Kon wa kay taping or shooting, asa ka tig-gimik?

It’s really quite simple. I rarely go out. I’m content with just staying home. Lately, I have been very occupied with tapings and shoots, so whenever I have some free time, I use it nalang to sleep and rest lots.

No lovelife?

I have been single for over a year now. My last relationship lasted only a year. He was non-showbiz. I am single and not even dating. I don’t know.. Maybe I’ve just been focused on work, or maybe the right guy for me hasn’t arrived yet.

Few days from now `ber’ na, unsay wish nimo for X’mas?

My only wish, aside from good health and safety for the people I love, is to have continuous projects. Unya na nang lovelife, Kuya oi. Haha! It can wait. Kung naa, maayo. Kung wala, e di wala. I am happy to be single, independent and free.