Who inspires Ella Cruz?

“Aryana” lead actress Ella Cruz admits being compared to contemporaries Kathryn Bernardo and Julia Montes is inevitable. But instead of taking it badly, Ella takes it as a good sign since Kathryn and Julia inspire her to reach her dream of playing a lead role even at a young age.

“Hindi naman maiiwasan na macompare kay Julia, kay Kathryn. Para sa akin, wala po iyon kase para sa akin, hindi competition para sa akin ang pag-aartista,” Ella said in an interview at the thanksgiving party of “Aryana” at the ABS-CBN compound on Saturday, June 16.

Ella revealed that she admires Julia’s and Kathryn’s acting in “Mara Clara” and “Way Back Home,” saying, “Ang galing talaga nila umarte.”

She added that she knows Kathryn and Julia personally because they worked together before in the kiddie gag show “Goin’ Bulilit.”

“Si Kathryn nakasabay ko pa siyang mag-audition noon. Si ate Julia naman, bago siya grumaduate sa ‘Going Bulilit, nakasama ko rin po siya. Noong time na naga-ASAP po ako, nagkita-kita kami,” Ella shared.

Kathryn and Julia are also supportive of Ella in “Aryana.”

“Natuwa ako kay Kathryn kasi bago mag-air yung “Aryana,”sabi niya, ‘Congrats Ella, fish na you.’ Natutuwa ako kasi si ate Julia nag-congratulate rin. Hindi sila nagbabago hanggang ngayon,” Ella revealed.

Tough times

Ella recalled the tough times she had before finally getting the lead role in “Aryana.”

“Super worth it po kasi simula noong bata pa ako, pangarap ko na ito. Ilang auditions na rin yung napuntahan ko pero hindi naman ako natatanggap. Ilang roles ang hindi ko rin natatanggap. Ito na yung kabayaran ng paghihirap at paghihintay namin ng mommy ko,” she said.

Now that more young people are noticing her, Ella knows she has to be more careful with her actions. “Kapag nagma-mall po, ang dami na pong tumatawag sa akin na Aryana. Dumarami na rin po ang mga Twitter followers ko. Sobrang natutuwa ako kase dumadami na ang fans ko at mga nagmamahal sa akin,” she said.

Ella wants to be a role model, inspiring others and encouraging them do their best and work for their dreams.

“Mangarap po sila at higit sa lahat huwag silang sumuko hangga’t hindi nila nararating ang mga gusto nilang marating. Be an inspiration to every generation, yung motto in life ko po. Mangarap at magsumikap rin.”

Meanwhile, Ella has only good words for her leading men—Paul Salas and newcomer Dominic Roque. Ella has known Paul since they were kids and treats him like a younger brother, while Dominic is like a “barkada” to her.

“Parang younger brother si Paul. Matagal na kaming nagkakasama, para na kaming magkapatid. Si Dominic, noong first day taping naming, mabait siya at bigla na lang nakipaghalubilo sa amin. Ang friendly niya. Barkada talaga kaming lahat.”

By Karen Valeza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom