For someone who has just started her modeling career, 16 year old Rhian Denise Ramos Howell or Rhian Ramos for short, made an abrupt transition to show business when she was cast as one of the female leads of "Captain Barbell," the newest fantasy-action-drama series that will hit the realm of TV soon.

It was through her McDonalds McJelly Trio TV commercial that she was noticed by film producer Annette Gozon. She then asked GMA Artist Center’s Ida Henares to reel her in as one of their latest discoveries. Fortunately, convincing her to join show business was a breeze since she happened to be Ms. Henares’ niece!

“I have thoughts of joining show business. But I wanted to enter it after I make something out of my modeling career. I was surprised it happened immediately…the job picked me,” she exclaimed ecstatically.

Very raw in acting, she however bagged the role of Leah in “Captain Barbell.” Leah is the childhood friend of Teng (the human identity of Captain Barbell played by Richard Gutierrez) who left for the States with her family. They meet again when she comes back as a teenager and their friendship slowly transforms into romance.

Even without any acting experience, Rhian didn’t have qualms accepting the role because she saw it as her big break in showbiz. And she didn’t want to waste such an opportunity so she grabbed it!

“’Captain Barbell’ has been part of the lives of Filipinos for a long time already. I wanted to give it a try because it’s something very Filipino. It’s a classic so I really wanted to give it a try. If I ventured into acting it’s because this is really a good project to start with,” she remarked.

She also intimated that acting is close to her heart because when she was still little, she loved entertaining people no matter how. And while growing up she was drawn to showbiz.

“I just like how people present themselves in such a good way even if behind the scenes they do so much work. And after all that they come out with smiles on their faces and show everyone how much they love their jobs though how hard they work.”

Rhian tasted that world in her first day of taping and discovered what hard work meant in the realm of television!

“I discovered that they don’t know how to sleep,” laughed Rhian. “They are really hard working people. They have passion for their jobs which is very admirable.”

Her first day too was memorable because the whole cast and her directors made her feel very welcomed according to her. She was surprised that her directors (Dom Zapata and Mike Tuviera) always gave her tips in every scene and helped her come to terms with her emotions. She described her experience as learning on the job!

So how was it working with Richard Gutierrez?

“It’s fun working with him kasi kinukulit niya ako. He really tries his best to make me comfortable with everything because he knows I’m new. Bonding palagi kami!”

She added that somehow she was starstruck when she first met Richard Gutierrez. Seeing his face everywhere, from the highway to the malls to the magazines, she admitted feeling weird about their encounter. Richard’s also been described by her school friends as the handsome model of Bench.

When I met him, it was like ‘wow, a real person!’ He is a real person, friendly and mabait…I supposed he’s my crush,” she laughed.

In “Captain Barbel” she is also in a love triangle and the other female actress involved is Camille Prats. Such a situation even in a drama series invokes intrigues often as to whom the lead actor is better off with. With this in mind, does she feel threatened about intrigues that would befall her budding career?

“I think I can handle it. You shouldn’t listen to those negative things because it won’t do you any good,” she confidently expressed.

With regards to her character, what did Rhian find very challenging?

“Lahat ng characters may conflicts and problems like Leah. So when Leah is sad, hirap na hirap ako sa emotions kasi hindi ako masyadong sad na person. Yung mga intense feelings like anger, nahihirapan akong i-deliver,” she confessed.

She further explained that it is because in real life, whenever she feels angry, she blocks this off. And that practice is what she is circumventing to meet the demands of her acting career.

Aside from “Captain Barbel,” Rhian has been exposed to performing live. She recently sang live in German Moreno’s “Walang Tulugan” which was taped in SM Clark. Rendering the song “Since You’ve Been Gone” to her would-be fans, she deemed it an unforgettable experience.

“I was in backstage and very nervous. Because I only sing in the shower,” she giggled. “And looking at all those people was terrifying. Nanginginig talaga ako at naiiyak ako. I was so scared!”

Basically, Rhian (her name is of Wales origin chosen by her grandfather from a fairytale princess named Rhianon) is a happy person. Her smile is infectious that she can warm a person’s heart the moment she meets him and her. And her philosophy in life is simple, “You just have to be positive all the time especially in a world like this where a lot of things can happen that can pull you down. You have to stand up to succeed!”

Source: Wikipedia