“A person trying to figure herself out.”
This was the view of a film and television writer in response to actress Liza Soberano‘s vlog where she opened up about her thoughts on her decades-long career and wanting to explore beyond what she has known in the industry.
Mark Duane Angos, a head writer who used to be with ABS-CBN for 16 years, said he was asked by a friend if he was hurt by the former Kapamilya actress’ “insinuation” that the network’s creatives boxed her.
Liza used to be a talent under Channel 2’s Star Magic for 11 years. She is now signed under James Reid‘s record label, Careless Music, since 2022.
“A friend asked me if I was hurt by Liza’s insinuation that we boxed her so hard that it drove her away from our industry. That’s a horrible take,” Mark said in a tweet on February 26.
“What I got from the vlog was a person trying to figure herself out. To be fair, she’s only ‘starting to dip her toes into writing,'” he added.
“By the same token, she’s still trying to learn how to express herself better. So if she comes off [as] hurtful to some of my colleagues, let’s be patient. She will be able to find the right words next time,” Mark continued.
“So I wasn’t hurt. I’m actually more excited about what she will become. And I’m rooting for her with all my heart,” he said.
Mark ended his tweet by signing it off as “Love, from the writer who wrote all those teleserye episodes (smiling face emoji)”
Mark was the head writer of some of Liza’s projects with her love team partner, Enrique Gil, in the LizQuen tandem.
His credits with LizQuen include the canceled romantic-comedy series “Make It With You,” and the romantic drama series “Dolce Amore” and “Forevermore.”
Liza on her showbiz career
Liza on February 26 opened up about her thoughts and experiences in the showbiz industry as a former Kapamilya talent and how she is now “finally” able to do things for herself as “Hope Soberano.”
“I’ve sacrificed my childhood, I’ve sacrificed my freedom, I’ve sacrificed my happiness to present Liza Soberano to the world and I think I’ve earned the right to finally be me, to finally be able to do things for me as Hope Soberano,” she said in her vlog titled “This is Me.”
The actress’ full name is Hope Elizabeth Soberano. Throughout her showbiz career, she is known by her screen name Liza Soberano.
“The [COVID-19] pandemic was the first time in my life where I was allowed to stop and be still. This forced me think: I didn’t have a childhood nor did I have the chance to grow and become an adult on my own terms,” she added.
“I had always been told what to do, what to wear, what to say and what not to say. I know this was for my own good. It was to protect me and my career, but it was a career that I had no say in. A career that in many ways wasn’t mine. I didn’t even choose the name ‘Liza.’ It was chosen for me,” Liza continued.
The actress started as an up-and-coming teen actress who played the third wheel to stars such as Daniel Padilla and Kathryn Bernardo in movies.
Liza eventually had her breakthrough by starring in her own shows with Enrique under the popular LizQuen tandem.
The actress stressed that she was not telling a story because of bitterness or regret and that she had her realizations during the pandemic, when she found herself at the crossroads of her life.
“In fact, it’s the opposite. It’s a story about growth and gratitude. At 24 years old, I was finally given the choice to decide my own path,” Liza said in her vlog.
The talent added that she “loves” how James and his team “respected” her vision and intelligence as she did theirs.
“I asked them what the plan was for me and they said I don’t know. You tell us. We’re here to support whatever your dreams are. That’s when I knew I had found my team,” the actress said.
“I had been approached by so many different management companies before, and it was the first time any of them had asked me what I wanted, what made me happy,” Liza continued.
The actress’ vlog came after her former talent manager, Ogie Diaz, shared his sentiments about her current career in his own vlog on February 23.
“Nanghihinayang ako sa career ni Liza…” he said before.
“Siyempre, nahu-hurt ako bilang former manager na nakakabasa ako ng ‘Ano nang ginagawa ni Liza sa sarili niya? Bakit nag-iiba na siya ng direksyon? Bakit noong nandoon pa siya sa ABS-CBN o kay Ogie Diaz maganda naman o maayos naman ang palakad sa kanya? Bakit nagiging fan na lang ng K-pop si Liza?’ ‘Yung mga ganoon,” Ogie added.
“Siyempre, hindi ko naman alam ang isasagot ko sa mga fans dahil unang-una, hindi na ako ang manager. Nanghihinayang lang ako kasi pinaghirapan naming lahat ito. Kung nasaan siya nandoon,” he continued.
“Kaya ako, nanghihinayang ako bilang former manager doon sa mga nakakawalang proyekto para kay Liza… kasi hindi rin naman nagkulang ang ABS-CBN ng pitching sa kanila ni Enrique Gil… pero wala silang inaaprubahan,” Ogie added, referring to LizQuen.
He said that what is important is that Liza is “happy” with her current state.
Last year, the actress said she wanted to pursue her lifelong dream of having a career in Hollywood, the world’s biggest film industry.
According to Liza, she wanted to “be able to bridge the gap between the Philippines and America and help the younger generation” who also wanted to come to the United States and make a career for themselves.
Her first project is an upcoming horror-comedy film “Lisa Frankenstein” with Kathryn Newton and Cole Sprouse. She is playing Taffy, the half-sister of Kathryn’s titular character.