Hiyasmin Neri

Everybody wants to have a meaningful and memorable birthday celebration! And Hiyasmin Neri made sure she had one when she turned 21 last July 18 – with her sister on a farm at bario Candelaria, Pampanga!

“I wanted to experience something different for my birthday because birthday parties are very typical. I really want to explore and travel especially on my birthday,” she explained.

She added that her one-day stay at the farm with her sister included activities like boat riding and fishing. The following day, her friends surprised her and they celebrated her birthday at Eastwood City.

“I really had fun at the farm and all I wished for my birthday was for more TV projects after ‘The Wedding.’ I also wished that I would graduate from college,” expressed Hiyas who is a 4th year Clothing Technology student at U.P. Diliman.

Since she stepped into the showbiz limelight she has appeared in numerous shows like “Maalaala Mo Kaya,” “Love Spell” and “Pedro Penduko.” She also played lead role in the indie film “UPCAT” opposite Felix Roco. The said film was an entry at the Cinema One Original film festival. But her biggest break to date was “The Wedding,” her first regular TV series where she played the role of Sophia.

“Come to think of it, sobrang opposite ang character ko sa ‘UPCAT.’ Jane’s gawky and quiet but has an innate naughtiness inside her. While Sophia in ‘The Wedding’ is very liberated... I can say that I’m in between of their two personalities. I’m not that quiet and liberated. Minsan may mood na gusto kong nag-iisa and minsan medyo gusto ko mataray,” she commented.

She attributed her persona for “extreme attitude” to various environmental factors. She also pointed out to her independence as a reason.

“I don’t want other people dictating what I should do in life. Hindi naman ako pasaway at party girl while gusto ko lagi rin ako nasa bahay. I’m just a bit head strong,” she quipped.

Another first for her in “The Wedding” was her kissing scene with co-star Alwyn Uytingco which she considers her most daring scene so far in her showbiz career.

“I couldn’t say my lines afterwards,” she laughed. “Nakakailang and it was kind of weird na makikita ng parents ko because they are very conservative. It wasn’t a torrid kissing scene but I wasn’t comfortable doing it because I wasn’t emotionally attached with the man I was kissing.”

She stressed though that that was as far as she could go in terms of her career’s “daringness.” She has no plans of going “sexy” or even posing for any men’s magazine in the future. Her career objective is clear and that’s to focus on becoming a versatile “character actress.” Her idols in that realm are Jodi Sta. Maria, Mylene Dizon and Ina Feleo.

“Passion ko ang acting and gusto kong ma-improve yan. I’m really pursuing it. After my course gusto ko rin mag-concentrate sa acting. Kung may opportunity sa TV go for that and sa mainstream or even independent movie,” she pointed out.

She hopes that she could get more roles that would challenge her as an actress.

“I want to accept more roles that would explore my craft. It can be daring but not in a way na very seductive but is more of being a character. I want to learn and challenge myself in terms of skills. I want people to look for me, get me and watch me for my skills,” she exclaimed.

As to why she took up Clothing Technology, she explained that she wanted to make use of her artistry in a business and she saw this course as a perfect fit for her future goals.

“I’m very creative. I like drawing and mix matching of things. I like a business na kapag ginagawa ko, kinikilig akong gawin. I know I’ll make use of creativity ko sa clothing kasi artist din ako. Gagamitin ko yung pagiging artist ko sa business ko para masaya ako at the same mechanical ang paggawa ko,” she remarked.

Regarding her showbiz career, she confessed that she wasn’t frustrated to the pace of her career. In fact she even considers herself lucky to have had good breaks on TV and the movies.

“I was lucky to have a regular TV show and study at the same time. That doesn’t happen often to us young actresses. For me sobrang blessing ang mga ito,” she smiled.

So has she set a timetable for her career?

“Very idealistic yun na meron kang timetable. But what happens is that you’re limiting yourself and you’re putting much pressure on yourself so hindi ka masaya. So you have to enjoy also your career and take your time,” she replied.

Watch out then for Hiyasmin Neri, a passionate young actress ON THE RISE!