IT is definitely the perfect season for Sanya Lopez to be in full bloom and she is more than ready and ripe. Lopez has been announced as the replacement of Marian Rivera as the lead character in the upcoming GMA prime-time series First Yaya.
Rivera opted not to work in the requited bubble that would take her away from her two young kids in this time of pandemic, and her mother network immediately made the big move and cast the very promising Lopez as the replacement.
Second options for top acting roles very often turn out to be the better choices. Award-winning actress Gina Alajar, now also a director for GMA, was not the original choice for Laurice Guillen’s opus Salome. The producers wanted either Alma Moreno or Dina Bonnevie but the title role ended up with Alajar, who perfectly slayed her portrayal.
Vilma Santos was a replacement for Lorna Tolentino in Celso Ad Castillo’s Burlesk Queen and the role became a milestone for Santos’s career. The late great actor Jay Ilagan already started shooting for Lino Brocka’s masterpiece Maynila, Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag, but the filmmaker decided to replace Ilagan with then-newcomer Bembol Roco, who made a big mark in this monumental film.
This huge break for Lopez will definitely herald her into the elite circle of A-list actors. “I am both humbled and excited to take on the challenge,” she told us. “I am aware that it will take a lot for me to fill in Marian’s shoes for the role but I am ready to give it my all and my best!”
She added, “The network decision-makers trusted me to give this role to me, and it is my responsibility to work hard to prove that those who pushed for me made the right decision.”
Twenty-twenty might not be a great year in general but life continues to be good for Lopez. She is the face of Ginebra San Miguel for the entire year. She is on the final stretch of finishing the first-ever house that she will own. And now, this big TV project. “I am simply thankful for the blessings that come my way and to those who are dear to me,” Lopez enthused, making special mention of her personal core team that takes good care of her: Alvin Fortuno and Frank Millari.
Originally from Malolos, Bulacan, Lopez (whose real name is Shaira Roberto) and her actor-brother Jak Roberto are also glad that San Miguel Corp. will soon build a world-class airport in Bulacan.
“It makes me happy because building a new airport will open a lot of work opportunities for our province-mates in Bulacan, since many of them have been displaced or lost their jobs due to the pandemic. When all these virus fears are finally over, I look forward to traveling again, and what a privilege it would be to have a five-star airport right in my province. I am quite sure our distinguished Gov. Daniel Fernando looks forward to this major collaboration with San Miguel Corp.”
Lopez admitted that she feels both skittish and thrilled to be given this huge acting break by her mother studio, and she vows to make every one who believes in her proud when First Yaya finally airs on free TV. “I have always felt at home with GMA—the love, the support, the trust, the patience, the understanding. If they feel it is my time to shine, I will shine brightly for them.”
And like the luminous and beautiful Sanya Lopez, may we all bloom where we are planted.
2 comments
We are so proud of you Luvssssss❤️😘❤️
love you sanya 🙂