Chariz Levels Up

Who would've thought that a girl eliminated early in a talent search would be juggling shows, movies and guest appearances - just a year after the talent search ended? Chariz Solomon has no idea how it happened, but neither is she complaining. Text by Jason John S. Lim. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. "May tarpaulin na ako!" Chariz Solomon gleefully exclaims at the dressing room for Codename: Asero, her first primetime series where she has a significant role. She plays Gigi who, according to her, is an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) who is also best friends with Heart Evangelista's character. "I'm not rich [here], I'm the breadwinner." Part I: 'Dubai' and Heart "Nakapag-taping na ako na nasa 'Dubai' kami," Chariz says, saying that her scenes in 'Dubai' were cheated: "Doon lang ako sa indoor [shots]." The young comedienne says that she might not have been part of those who really went to Dubai, but she knows that the time will come when she too will get opportunities like it. "We will have time for that, so I will wait." Chariz adds that she might not have been able to go to Dubai, but she gets to share a lot of screen time with new Kapuso Heart. "Mabait siya, tsaka marunong siyang makisama sa lahat ng tao-kahit sa mga utility [crew]. "Masayahin siyang tao [at] marunong siyang makisama." She says that she was actually surprised to find out Heart was as normal as the rest of them are. She even eats the same food as they do, regardless of where or who it came from. "Binigyan ko siya ng [food], hindi ko ine-expect na kakainin niya, na magugustuhan niya. "Pero kinain niya, tapos nag-thank you pa nga siya sa akin. Close na kami!" Chariz ends with a laugh. Part II: Playing the part Chariz has played a stripper, a maid, a fortune teller-even an alien! So playing an OFW for Asero, is not hard work. And , she adds, "kasi ang mama ko OFW sa Japan; twelve years na siyang nandoon, so nakakarelate ako [sa character ko]." She says that her mother shares stories of life abroad with her. "Pinapakitaan niya ako ng pictures, ng videos. So alam ko na rin 'yung mga buhay-buhay." The young celebrity jokes that she didn't know it when she was a kid, but all her life was actually a preparation for Codename: Asero. "Kaya pala napunta 'yung mama ko sa Japan!" But her role isn't dealing with the serious OFW issues. What Chariz actually brings to the story is her brand of comedy that she hopes will make people laugh (and maybe a little bit of action too). After all, the sci-fi romance is also an action-comedy series. "Mas grabeng katatawanan, mga bagong punchlines" she teases, adding that she also hopes to do action. "Kausap ko kanina si Chynna [Ortaleza] , sabi niya magkakaeksena [kami]." Chynna plays Heart's rival for the lead character's attention. "Sabi ko, 'Talaga? Oo nga, magkakaeksena tayo-so may action!' Baka may action. Makaka-experience din pala ako noon. "[Pero] sana dito mananalo naman ako." She adds as an afterthought, remembering her role in Zaido: Pulis Pangkalawakan wherein she was beaten with just a small spray of a potion. Codename: Asero has begun-and you can already spot Chariz there! Keep on tuning in to see more of her, every weeknight after 24 Oras. And then, talk about Chariz and Asero at the iGMA Forums! If you're not yet registered, register now! You might even get the chance to talk to your favorite Kapuso star! Be updated with the latest chika from Chariz herself! Feel the fun of Fanatxt by texting CHARIZ to 4627! Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK 'N TEXT, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. (This service is exclusive to the Philippines only.)