With their forged paths leading them to the right project at the right time of their lives, Loisa Andalio, Elisse Joson, Charlie Dizon, and Alexa Ilacad found themselves and more importantly, each other
For Alexa Ilacad, Charlie Dizon, Elisse Joson, and Loisa Andalio, life imitates art in Pira-Pirasong Paraiso. As Beth, Diana, Hilary, and Amy, they are puzzle pieces entangled in riddles on identities and relationships. But by some force or luck, in their reel and real lives, they have each other.
In an exclusive interview with MEGA Entertainment, the sister squad of today shared their experience of finding parts of themselves and of each other through their latest project to date.
RELATED: Patience Is Alexa Ilacad’s Strongest Weapon
Puzzle pieces at work
Before Pira-Pirasong Paraiso, Alexa, Charlie, Elisse, and Loisa had their own ways of knowing each other. Acquaintances from their ASAP moments. Friendly castmates from their series or film. Kapamilya stars under one network. But by some magic of getting casted together, they are all no longer just work friends. They are real life friends, even sisters.
Ilacad, who had worked individually with all three, felt like this experience was a full circle moment for her. “Now, I got to know a deeper side of them both. It’s really nice.”
As individuals who have spent a considerable amount of time in the industry, the four women are aware of how friendship can work differently in their world. But what sustains their relationship? Maturity and acceptance of their lowkey bond.
“Nag-grow kaming apat. Parang pamilya talaga kami. Ayaw naming may naiiwan na isa. Lahat [kami,] dapat nagagawa namin ‘yung dapat namin gawin,” Andalio mentioned. “Kaya din kami nag-match kasi iba’t-iba kami ng phase sa buhay. At the same time, nasa same phase, kasi magkakasama kami ngayon. Kapag nag-uusap, para talaga kaming pieces na nabubuo,” Charlie pointed out.
Concluding their collective take on their formed friendship, Alexa explained, “We’re four girls who have totally different personalities, mga ugali iba-iba talaga. And sometimes it’s scary if you think all these different people are going to be in one group, but we jive really well with each other.”
Charlie on reversing her roles
As Diana in the series and even as the younger Teddy in Four Sisters and a Wedding, Charlie Dizon had to take on the eldest sister part. But contrary to her reel roles, the actress was actually the opposite in reality as the bunso. “Wala akong marelate sa sarili ko. Paano ko paninidigan ‘yun? Ang hirap,” she would say then, admitting the challenge that came with the role. “Pero dun ako naexcite kasi paano siya lalabas sa akin?”
With the guidance of their writers and the directors, Charlie eventually accepted that Diana was also a part of her, even at the slightest bit. “Kailangan kong ireconcile ‘yun sa sarili ko. Tinanggap ko na lang na si Diana ‘yun, at hindi si Charlie. Lagi kong kasama ‘yung mga ate ko. Sanay akong ako ‘yung baby sa group. Medyo nahirapan ako, pero siguro lagi ko na lang iniimagine paano yung panganay naming kapatid. Dun ko narealize na ang hirap pala maging panganay. Ineexpect nila na ikaw ‘yung leader. E paano kung personality [ay] weak? ‘Yung hindi ka palaban?”
Although this was how the oldest Paraiso sister saw herself, she actually possessed the nurturing quality of a first born, according to Elisse. “Merong mother aura that she gives off. Nakatulong sa akin kasi I have to give back the energy,” she pointed out.
After Pira-Pirasong Paraiso, Charlie discovered a newfound sense of passion for her craft. That type of determination that’s ready for bigger roles, even those far from her comfort zone. “Siguro kung mag-action, paghahandaan talaga, mga tipong two to three months, kasi mahina talaga ako dun,” she began. “Horror din, mahilig ako. Comedy, romcom. Gusto ko rin ng parang may lalim pa din. May message.”
Elisse on redefining family
When people talk about the magic of motherhood, they would underscore the shift of ability it offers. The said amplified power and strength suddenly give women the push to conquer their dreams not just for themselves, but also for their children. This was the force that Elisse Joson used to channel Hilary, her first lead character after giving birth to Felize.
“After giving birth, sinasabi ko na there’s a certain energy that you can do everything. In terms of accepting projects and characters [now], ako parang, ‘Sige, go! Kahit nakakatakot, kaya natin ‘yan!”
Hilary, as the actress described, was a fun character to play with. She was liberated, yes, but still confined to the limits of circumstances that she had to deal with. Her depth ran deep, especially with the struggles of finding her own identity. “In the beginning, nakakakaba [rin]. She’s different from who I am in real life,” the actress mused. “This time, I’ll be able to showcase what else ‘yung pwede kong ipakita.”
Sisterhood, too, was an uncharted territory for Elisse as an only child. For her, the bond that she, Charlie, Loisa, and Alexa formed had more to do with her co-stars. “May mga small details na bit of a challenge for me. Growing up, I wasn’t exposed to that sort of thing. But with them, you won’t feel like you don’t have to put a certain attitude when you’re with them. They made me feel like I could be myself. I guess malaking tulong ‘yun.”
Readier than ever to step into braver parts, the actress has more dreams for herself, including a split personality role and working with Jodi Sta. Maria and Angelica Panganiban.
Loisa on realizing growth
In the series, Loisa was good at being bad. “Magnanakaw ‘yung character ko dito! Akyat bahay, pero fan kasi ako ng Money Heist. ‘Yung mga temang nakawan, pero may pinaglalaban sila.” The thought of portraying a role that she enjoyed watching excited the actress. But as Baby, she had to wrestle with her conscience in every robbery assignment that they had. Topping it all off, her character called for Loisa to pretend to be Amy, the missing Paraiso sister. But it was her all along. “Nahirapan din ako, [kasi] dapat magkaibang atake ‘yun. Pinaglalaruan din ‘yung emosyon mo.”
Since her teen years, the Kapamilya star has been in the industry right after her Pinoy Big Brother exit. Even with her name ringing a bell to others, she manages to keep her feet on the ground. According to her, this was a lesson that she learned from the veterans themselves. “Hindi sila nagbibigay ng advice. Mas pinapakita nila. Ang humble, hindi mo sila makitaan ng ere. ‘Yun ‘yung nakukuha ko sa kanila kahit hindi nila sabihin.”
As she reflects on her past to move forward, Loisa is grateful for her growth. “‘Yung Loisa kasi dati, sobrang kabado. May doubt sa sarili niya. Proud ako sa kanya kasi hindi siya nagpadala sa mga iniisip niya, sa self-doubt. Hindi siya nagpadala sa takot, sa judgment ng kahit sino. Kaya ituloy niya lang ‘yan!”
For the next step of her career, the actress dreams of going back to the start—a reunion on screen with her fellow housemates. “Si Maris, never pa kami nagkatrabaho [sa] teleserye or movie. Sa PBB, bagets pa kami nun. Siguro, comedy. Baliwan lang!” She has an upcoming project with director Fifth Solomon as well called 3 Words, a film that they had started working on.
Alexa on rooting for real love
Pira-Pirasong Paraiso, for Alexa Ilacad, was a gift that she received on her birthday last year. “Upon meeting Beth or learning about her, I [told myself that] I am going to immerse myself in this character,” she recalled. “She’s quite close to me, as I try to be logical as well. I feel very close to Beth even if we’re not all similar.”
In playing the second Paraiso sister, the 23-year-old singer-actress learned a few lessons from her. “Forgiveness,” she said, capturing the journey of Beth. “Her character development had a 180-degree turn from revenge to forgiveness. 2023, for me, was a year of [reflection] and forgiveness. I’ve had a lot of reconnections and playing Beth helped me realize how essential or how peaceful it is also to forgive.”
From her found bond with Loisa, Charlie, and Elisse, to even her relationship with KD and her family, the actress knows real love now better than ever before. “I think it’s all with your understanding. I think the reason why KD and I have worked really well is because I was willing to understand him, and I was open and willing to learn who he is and why he is [such].
[In this project], I’ve [also] become more family-oriented. Seeing how [the characters] would do everything for their family. I understand that now. I would do anything for my family.”
Soul sisterhood at its best
Every relationship comes with that inexplicable force that brings people together, and the PPP women are no exception to this. “Biglaan siyang dumating. Siguro ‘yun ‘yung maganda kasi ‘di mo ineexpect na magkaroon ka ng sisters sa show. Na hindi lang hanggang dun,” Loisa elaborated.
Of course, there is more to a lasting connection than just the doing of chance. At the current stage of their lives, the four women understand commitment now more than ever. It’s the conscious choice of appreciating the good, the real, and the true in that person. Elisse herself admitted that she is not the expressive type, but her love for the three is truly genuine. “I hope they feel that my love for them is genuine. Hindi lang kami work friends,” she expressed. “Si Charlie, I appreciate her [listening] to my rants. Ramdam ko anytime she’s there for me. For Loisa, I’m grateful that we’re given the chance na komportable na kami sa isa’t-isa. And Alexa, I just want to thank her for always being the girl who lifts [everyone] up. I hope that I can give back [those] words of encouragement and lifting up.”
“Kung ano and paano sila sa akin noon, ganun pa rin sila sa’kin, even better. The love is just deeper. I just love them more,” Alexa stated.
After wrapping up Pira-Pirasong Paraiso, Loisa already has a next project in mind for them. Emphasizing the fun in their friendship, she suggested, “Parang Sex and the City. ‘Yung mga ganun roles kasi para sa mga matatapang. Machachallenge kami sa ganun, kahit hindi siya drama. Itotodo namin siya.”
Although they have taken their bow as their characters, Alexa, Charlie, Elisse, and Loisa are far from bidding goodbye to each other. Now that they are indeed pieces forming the puzzle of friendship in show business, the end of Pira-Pirasong Paraiso is just a sign that they are about to begin again—dedicated to their craft, and committed to their connection.
Photography KIM ANGELA SANTOS of KLIQ INC.
Creative Direction MIA CASTRO
Art Direction ANDREW ENCAPAS
Fashion and Beauty Direction MIA CASTRO and CHLARINE GIANAN
Styling PATTY YAP
Hair JUSTINE OCAMPO (Alexa and Elisse), BRENT SALES (Loisa and Charlie)
Makeup RB CHANCO (Loisa and Charlie), JAKE GALVEZ (Alex and Elisse)
Sittings Editor MIA CASTRO
Special thanks to DREAMSCAPE ENTERTAINMENT and STAR MAGIC
