In "Love to Love’s" "Miss Match" story, Neil takes on the role as the friend of Jake Cuneca, who plays lead with Jennylyn Mercado. Also in the episode are Dion Ignacio and Katrina Halili and Mishka.
Directed by Khryss Adalia, "Miss Match" revolves around the clumsiness of Jennylyn’s character Joey, a gym owner who sees a cupid. Misfortune hits Joey as she causes her cuoid friend to break his crossbow rendering it powerless. As homage, Jennlyn is sent by the cupid to do its job like finding her competitor, another gym owner besides her gym, a match and bringing back her cousin and best friend together again.
The other story in "Love to Love" is "Like Mother, Like Daughters" which stars Gloria Diaz, Julia Clarete, Isabel Oli, Paolo Contis and Alfred Vargas. Rico Gutierrez directs the episode.
"I’m very honored and happy that I was entrusted this role. I’m flattered that the network has given me a chance to prove myself and I will work hard to be successful. I have to show them that I can act and that I can memorize and deliver my lines well," expressed Neil.
A first-year student in the College of St. Benilde, taking up Consular and Diplomatic Affairs, Neil’s thrust at the moment is to focus on his budding showbiz career. Since high school he has developed an interest in acting. What prevented him though was his weight problem he was a 220lbs. 16-year old teenager!
"Noong high school ako medyo nagkakaroon na ako ng idea na gusto kong mag showbiz. But I was then still focusing on my studies and mataba pa ako noon kaya hindi ako makasali. When I started to go on a diet, medyo napapansin na ako. So sabi ko why not try it."
What pushed him to go on a healthier life style was looking at himself everyday in a mirror. Every time he was in front of a mirror, he would feel bad about himself. He was not satisfied of his look and that prompted him to go on a soup diet. Now, the 5’9 actor is leaner as his picture above would prove.
Before showbiz though Neil already had experiences as a child commercial model. He did TV commercials for Nestlé, Lady’s Choice and Pork and Beans. But he never entered mainstream showbiz because his education was his and his parents’ priorities then.
It was a relief then for Neil that when he told his father about becoming an actor, his father was understanding.
"My dad gave me a choice and whatever choice I made he told me that he would support me. So I told him that I’ll try it out since these opportunities do not come often. Siyempre ako gusto ko rin na ma-feel yung parang may kinikita akong pera na pinaghihirapan ko," related Neil proudly.
Thus when he joined GMA Network, he was under the care of Artist Center, the network’s star builder (Jennylyn Mercado, Mark Herras, Dion Ignacio, Katrina Halili, Angel Locsin, Iza Calsado, to mention a few). Through them he went on various workshops to develop his acting craft and to reveal more his potentials.
"I remembered on my first workshop that I was with actors who are already appearing on television shows. So I have to work double time. My dream is to be like them someday and I’m really working hard to become a good actor."
Neil also underwent an acting workshop by the UP Film Center.
With regards to competition, Neil is not intimidated. He is aware that he has a lot to prove to the network and televiewers on what he can do as an Artist Center talent. He is not even scared of intrigues since he knows he has done anything negative to merit one.
"Alam kong magagaling ang mga artista sa GMA-7. I’m trying my best na maabot ko talaga sila. Kailangan talagang maging good actor ako in drama and in comedy, kailangang maging magaling. Yun ang goal ko."
Part of his goal in showbiz is to work with actors Richard Gutierrez, Mark Herras, Dion Ignacio, Dingdong Dantes and even his idol Cesar Montano whom he looks up to as a very good actor.
One of the blessings that also came his way when he joined Artist Center was being included in the Artist Center 2006 calendar which was photographed by one of the country’s best photographer Xander Angles. He was shot with another rising Artist Center actress Nadine Samonte.
"If I’ll have a love team, I would like Nadine Samonte to be my love team partner," smiled Neil.
Determined and passionate about his showbiz career, Neil has planned out what he wanted to accomplish in the near future. Aside from being a star and making money, he would like to build his own business someday with the money he’d earn from his job. He would also like to finish his college degree someday.
So who’s Neil Ferreira again?
He is Artist Center’s newest find and he is ON THE RISE!
