All eyes are now on Mica dela Cruz, the younger sister of dramatic actress and singer Angelika dela Cruz as she tries to make a name for herself in showbiz, the same way her elder sister did.

The buzz about her budding acting career is that she has impressed filmmaker Chito Rono and the country’s Diamond Star Maricel Soriano in Star Cinema’s horror movie entitled “T2” which opened last April 11 in more than 100 theaters nationwide.

Chito recalled that they auditioned for the role of Angeli for three weeks but failed to find the perfect child actress that fits the role. He was glad then when Mica walked in for the audition because the child fits what he wanted.. And he was happier when he discovered the acting prowess of Mica.

“When she auditioned for the role, alam mo yung standard na hindi mo na mahihiwalay yung artista sa character. Parang isinulat para sa kanya ang role. Matagal kaming nag-audition ng mga bata. Sobra na akong frustrated dahil iba-ibang klaseng artista na pero wala kaming mapusuan. Then this child came along and that was it. Siya na,” expressed Chito.

In “T2” Mica is Angeli, the mysterious young girl who was destined to live with the “engkantos” when she reaches a certain age. Because of her so-called destiny in life, Angeli is frightened by the “engkantos” since she doesn’t understand why they want to abduct her.

“I think after you see the movie, you’ll see that she’s one of those who would shine the brightest,” said Chito proudly about Mica.

So how did she feel when she landed the role?

“Unang –una, sobrang nagulat ako nang nakuha ako kasi marami pong nag-audition. Happy ako kasi matagal ko ring hinintay na makasama ko po kahit sa isang project si direk Chito Roño at si Ms. Mary. Proud po ako sa experience ko working with them po,” replied Mica.

She added that her director has also helped her a lot in the film.

“Mag-practice muna po ako. Tapos kung may mga mali, pagsasabihan din po ako ni direk Chito like kung anong expression ng face or kung di tama ang pag-iyak ko. Kaya po hindi ako nahihirapan umiyak sa movie,” said Mica.

Maricel Soriano who plays Claire, a social worker who will be drawn to Angeli’s mysteriousness, only has good things to say about Mica.

“Napakahusay ng bata na ito. Watch the movie and you’ll see na para sa kanya yung movie. Napaka-powerful ng kanyang mga mata. Lagi kong sinasabi sa kanya yun. Yung ganyang edad hindi nagsisinungaling yan, yung totoo talaga ang ibibigay sayo kaya mahihiya ka kung i-fake mo lang lahat,” remarked Maricel.

She is also very ecstatic about Mica’s acting career because she remembers how different hers was when she was child actress decades ago.

“At her age and to experience acting in a movie is special. I know she has worked before but she wasn’t given a big opportunity like in ‘T2.’ Napakalaking role niya dito kaya nakakagawa siya ng ganun, na hindi ako nagkaroon before. Although nakabawi ako nang nag ‘John and Marsya’ ako noon… ako super believe ako sa kanya and yung dedication niya nakikita kong gusto niyang mag-artista talaga,” remarked Maricel.

Mica’s “ate” Angelika dela Cruz shares Maricel’s insight on how good her younger sister is as an actress.

“She is a very talented little girl. She is a good singer and dancer too. She is also very smart because she is always on top of her class even if had to absent herself whenever she has a shooting,” Angelika said.

So what’s Angelika’s advice to Mica?

“My advice is for her to always enjoy what she is doing because this is the only way she could give her best in her acting career,” she shared.

And does Mica believe in “engkantos?”

“Wala pa po akong experience with engkantos pero yung ibang mga tao sa amin, pakiramdam ko po sa mga sinasabi nila na totoo ang mga engkanto at multo. Pero minsan naiisip ko na baka gumagawa lang sila ng kwento or baka meron talaga,” smiled Mica.

Dedicated at an early age, if given more opportunity in the movies and television to explore her acting craft, it is not surprising to see her showbiz career blossom because Mica dela Cruz is a child actress ON THE RISE!