Interview by Tinna S. Bonifacio
Yes, she is a Laurel, heir to a proud tradition rooted in the arts and politics. Her family counts among its members a former President, Vice-President, theater actors, singers and a popular fashion designer. But Denise Laurel seems bent on carving out her own path through show business. Starting out as one of the stars of Rouge—a Charlie’s Angels-inspired female detective series produced by MTV Asia—she returned to the Philippines several years later and joined ABS-CBN where she now appears on the youth-oriented show Abt Ur Luv. She also had a guest role in Maging Sino Ka Man and impressed critics in her first-ever Maalaala Mo Kaya episode opposite Geoff Eigenmann.
“This is fun—I get to do what I love to do, meet different kinds of people and learn from them,” says Denise of her showbiz experience. Of course, it goes without saying that there’s a certain amount of pressure that comes with being a Laurel, but Denise has grown up with that kind of pressure and learned to live with it. It’s all in a day’s work for this beautiful and talented singer-actress, who shares with us the secrets of her success.
You sing, you dance, you act and you even do some modeling on the side. Which do you really enjoy most?
Theater will always be my first love. I love everything that I do, but I started with theater and you never forget your first love. TV acting is challenging because you’re working with a camera and have to be aware of it at all times, but theater gives you a different kind of rush because it’s instant.
How did you get into theater?
One day I went to my Tito Cocoy’s rehearsal of South Pacific. I was only five years old then. I didn’t really understand what he was doing, but I enjoyed listening to the music. My family was always into music; on Sundays, we’d sit around the piano and sing. That’s how we bond. So I was sitting there [in the rehearsal hall] and saying to myself, ‘That looks like fun. I want to do something like that’. Someone overheard me and before I knew it, I was being asked if I wanted to join the production as one of the kids. I was so surprised, I could only say, ‘I have to tell my parents first.’ After that, I became a regular with Repertory Philippines.
Did it come easy to you, being a Laurel, the niece of Cocoy and the granddaughter of Celia?
No. I had to work for every role I got. I just always tried my best, and if I don’t get a role, it was okay. That’s just the way it is. You win some, you lose some.
How did you benefit from your theater training? How does it help you now, being in showbiz?
Well, aside from the discipline and the basics of acting and singing, I was what they call a ‘swing’ in theater. I had to learn all the roles, so that when anyone couldn’t make it, I would step in. I learned a lot that way. I also became an Assistant Teacher in the Repertory Philippines summer workshops. I believe that it's important to be able to give back and pass on what you've learned to other people.
How are you adjusting to showbiz?
It hasn’t been easy, mainly because of the intrigues. It’s also flattering in a way, that others talk about you, but I’m not the type of person who likes to be talked about. If they have to talk about me, I’d rather that they focus on how I work, and if I’m good or bad at what I do. I want to be recognized for my work, not other things [like who I’m dating].
Who would you consider your career mentors?
My family, of course, especially my Lola [Celia]. There’s so much talent in my family, and I was thankful I grew up around them. And the people of Repertory Philippines. It was an honor for me to be able to be mentored by them. Mr. M [Director Johnny Manahan] who discovered me in Repertory Philippines and David Fabros also helped. Oh, and my manager Erick Raymundo. Plus all the stars and directors I work with. You learn something new from each one.
What is your career philosophy?
The best way of learning is doing—the moment you stop learning, you’re dead. That’s why despite the intrigues, I enjoy showbiz, because you learn something new with every role and the people you work with.
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