Rhian Ramos and Glaiza De Castro EXCLUSIVE Video Interview [with English Translation]

Orange Magazine had the opportunity to do an EXCLUSIVE video interview with Kapuso Network’s controversial but most loved love team today, Glaiza De Castro and Rhian Ramos from the hit series “The Rich Man’s Daughter”

Held at the Cali Burger along Timog, Quezon City last July 25, we were supposed to meet with our Team RaStro to celebrate our winning at the recently concluded first ever GMA Bloggers Style Camp.

But because of heavy traffic and rain that evening, majority of the team failed to show up. But lucky for us, Rhian Ramos and Glaiza De Castro still pushed thru with the mini celebration despite their hectic schedules. They were busy that day doing TV guesting and mall shows. In fact, Rhian came all the way from San Pedro, Laguna just to attend our dinner get together organized by our team leader Mark Casas.

Orange Magazine came in first, followed by Mark Casas. Glaiza arrived an hour later but we fully understand her because we are aware that she’s doing an album showcase that time at Starmall EDSA and she was regularly updating us thru our Viber group chat. She came in still dressed up, looking a bit tired because of her gigs, but was still completely warm and bubbly. We started chatting about some updates and her thoughts on winning/losing at the GMA Style Camp. Glaiza, actually won Female Super Stunner, while our team placed 4th place and a People’s Choice award. She also mentioned how amazed she was with her mall shows and how supportive her fans was. She sold 300 copies of her album “Synthesis” and felt bad that she failed to sign all the albums bought that day.

This is actually not the first time we interviewed Glaiza De Castro. We are already familiar on how passionate she talks about her career, and her fans. She have this aura that makes you want to listen to her as if she was your best friend. What we really love about Glaiza is that she is so natural and accommodating. She wont make you feel that she’s a celebrity. She talks freely and she says everything from her heart.

We decided to do the video interview while waiting for her “girlfriend” Rhian. In our video interview (posted below) with Glaiza, she talks about her ‘getting stronger’ relationship with Rhian, her thoughts about Marian Rivera (originally cast as Rhian’s character at The Rich Man’s Daughter), and her fans popularly known as the RaStro Rebels:

For the foreign fans of the RaStro love team, here’s an English transcript translation provided by their fan, TRMD Fan Girl:

Glaiza on GMA Bloggers Style Camp

Glaiza: It makes me glad because the support is really great. First time ever, I won’t get tired of saying this, that it’s just now that I experienced this kind of support. And beyond what we did, whatever it is, for Celebrity Style Bloggers Camp. In everything that we do I can feel their support. So even now I’m still overwhelmed and as much as possible we want to give back to the support that they have given us.

Glaiza on her relationship with Rhian Ramos

Glaiza: Getting stronger. No, now it makes me more glad because…The interesting part about Rhian besides having a good sense of humor, is she’s very collaborative. Like she has a lot of ideas. That’s one of the qualities that makes me interested about her or in people in general. That when you said some ideas, she’s open to give other ideas to create something or a project. Like what we did for this, Team RaStro. I appreciate the effort, her vision for this and when we did LoveWins. So it makes me glad that I get to know her more now. I appreciate, not only her talent but also her personality.

Glaiza on RaStro Rebels’ support

Glaiza: It makes me crazy in a good way. Because it’s my first time to experience this and until now it’s still surreal that we read how they tweet, how they give their support on our mall shows, how they react to our scenes and how eager they are to bring the two of us together. So I never expect that this will be the result of the show. And this is the kind of viewers that we hit. And for that this show is really significant for me because in a way we’ve gained a lot from them.

Glaiza on Marian Rivera and Rhian Ramos as her partner on The Rich Man’s Daughter

Glaiza: Of course, Marian and I talked about this since last year. When she told me that we’ll be making a project like this. Of course, we’re excited so we also exchange ideas, we ask each other what hairstyle will we do. From details like that so we’re excited and we were preparing for this. And when I knew it was Rhian, of course even though I had worked with her before, I never had a scene with her like this. We didn’t became friends in our soap, especially during Stairway to Heaven as we were enemies, we pull each other’s hair. So it was a challenge for both of us on how will we do the scenes, on how will our attack be. But surprisingly when we did the pictorial and when we did our first scene that we were watching a movie together, they watched that on the first week. Our first scene together was we were watching and we were just laughing. Although it’s a montage, of course since then you’ll feel if there’s a connection and at that moment I felt the connection and I was like, “Ahh, okay. There’s something”.

Glaiza on how it works between her and Rhian Ramos

Glaiza: I thought about how will we make it natural because if we can make it natural, I’m confident that people will accept it. So, in a way I think we achieved that because of all the support we’re getting and you know, feedbacks. From there I already have the feel of fulfilment. 

How real is RaStro?

Glaiza: So so real. So surreal. It’s a double meaning. No, but they can see it. Well we tweet because we know that we make our followers happy because of it. There’s not a trace of insincerity. All of it is sincere. All of the posts that you see from us. Because one of the product of this show is not only the success of the show in general but also the relationship that you build with your co-actors. And with the feedbacks that we are getting, as much as possible we want to support each other. So whatever it is you see on twitter, on instagram, on facebook, all of it is real. It’s not only onscreen that we support each other but also offscreen.

What’s next after The Rich Man’s Daughter?

Glaiza: Actually, I just want to give a surprise. But Rhian and I are already talking about it. About collaborating, since she has a lot of ideas and she has a rich mind. She’s interesting to talk to and that’s the kind of people I want to work with. One who is just ready to any kind of ideas. And we exchange projects or concepts. And my wish is for it to materialize, it may not be now but in the near future. But definitely even after TRMD, RaStro will still go on.

Glaiza on what’s next for her and Rhian Ramos

Glaiza: Well since I’m into music, I can see that we’ll make a song together. And a lot of things like what we did for LoveWins, like poetry videos. Rhian is also very creative and very artistic. So we might release some photos again or videos, who knows. There are a lot of things that we can do. There’s a lot of possibilities.

Glaiza on what she loves about Rhian Ramos

Glaiza: Well physically, when we have a scene together, I already thought about that. I looked for the feature on her face that I really like, it’s her eyes and eyebrows. When we have a scene together especially for scenes where it’s been a long time since we saw each other and I really miss her, I’ll just look at her eyes, her eyebrows and her eyelashes. And that’s it. And she’s super bubbly, it’s as if there’s no dull moment when you’re with her even during midnight. I know how heavy her scenes are. Actually it’s both of us, well all of us. But of course on her part, no matter what time it is, you really won’t see her be sleepy or maybe she only does it to divert her attention. But I appreciate that because her energy is contagious. Third, she’s very sweet and very thoughtful. During our first scenes, I remember that she asked me, “Do you want to get our nails done together?” like that, “Okay let’s go to Posh Nails.”, “Do you have a sponsor for your nails? Okay I’ll look one for you.”. And what people show me I just reciprocate it. At that time, I appreciate that she really look for a sponsor for me. She is very interesting like that. When we have a scene, even if the camera is not on her, she still gives the emotions that is needed for the scene. Because there are other actors that if it’s not their scene they won’t give it(emotions) because they are not seen. But with her, even if you can’t see her, she’s crying and she still delivers her lines. I really appreciate that from her. Since you’re the center of the shot, it’s hard to imagine your partner in the scene if they don’t give it to you or you don’t have someone. But she still supports me. So that’s one of the things that I really appreciate from her. And lastly, her sense of humor is really one of a kind. From all my friends in showbiz, there’s one factor that I see as to why we get along. The sense of humor is unique and we’re weird. So that’s one of the qualities that are interesting about her. 

Glaiza on what she hates about Rhian Ramos

Glaiza: Oh okay, she’s too beautiful. That’s it. I don’t think I ever saw her look haggard. Seriously, that’s it. And also, how can one think of those jokes? She’s super fast and really witty. Well I lack that kind of sense of humor. 

Plans for her album “Synthesis”

Glaiza: Plans? Umm, still promotions. There’ll be more mall shows because the schedule is more loose. More printing because so far we only printed 4,000. Now that there are a lot of people that are supporting it, we got the funds to reprint. And we might release a bootleg, things like the Original version, Live version songs of the album, and other versions that I’m excited to be released. But I’m still keeping it because I want to surprise them.

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Rhian Ramos came around 11:00 pm. An hour before the store close. But Cali Burger was accommodating enough to let us stay to do some catch up. Rhian is full of energy that evening despite being caught in heavy traffic. She started talking about her opinions about their shows (off the record) which will be airing its last 3 weeks on GMA 7, some stories about their fans, and how excited they were for their upcoming new projects together (HINT: they will announce it soon!). Watching Rhian and Glaiza together, you will immediately feel their chemistry even off the camera. Rhian and Glaiza shared a lot of funny stories, and we even have an inside joke that involves a tissue paper. Hahaha!

Since it’s already late and Glaiza mentioned she still needs to go to Makati for a business meeting and both of them have an early call-time for the Kapuso Grand Fans Day the next day, we did the video interview with some questions came straight from their fans.

Watch the video interview (below) where Glaiza and Rhian shares some of their favorite scenes from The Rich Man’s Daughter, what they’ve learned from their characters, how they want the series to happen minus the MTRCB rulings, their first impression with one another, and the ultimate fan question about the possibility of falling in love with each other:

Again, here’s an English transcript translation below courtesy of The Rich Man’s Daughter Fan:

ORANGE MAGAZINE: What will happen to the both of you after the show?

Glaiza De Castro: Secret!

Rhian Ramos: Right away. First answer: “secret”

Glaiza De Castro: But seriously, like I told them earlier, the end of TRMD definitely isn’t the end for RaStro.

Rhian Ramos: Yes. Right now…Even though TRMD still isn’t over, we’re already making plans for what to do in August, for September… yeah.

So we’re really thinking about the fans.

And you know, we don’t want them to get used to settling for just “hopia”(false hope)

So yeah, we’re thinking of things we’re certain will…

Glaiza De Castro: …make them happy.

Rhian Ramos: Yes, that will make them happy.

ORANGE MAGAZINE: First impression? Of each other?

Rhian Ramos: Oh, I answered this! You know my answer? Someone asked me this!

Glaiza De Castro: I did see that. You tagged me… “weird”. I feel the same way!

Rhian Ramos: I thought to myself, “Glaiza’s okay. Weird. Strong presence. And…” What’s that? “Weird, strong presence, and she has depth. I think we’re gonna get along!”

Glaiza De Castro: Connection! That’s it.

Rhian Ramos: But the most important thing is “weird”.

Glaiza De Castro: I agree. I also told them that earlier. A common quality in my showbiz friends is that they’re kinda weird. A bit crazy. They don’t care.

ORANGE MAGAZINE: So what are your favorite romantic scenes in the show?

Glaiza De Castro: Personally, I really like the lipstick – the bathroom scene. My first scene with Jade and the lipstick cap. We were kind of still at that stage of feeling each other out. But I think that worked for us as actors, where we were figuring things out, with that particular scene.

Rhian Ramos: Yeah. It’s like it helped with the emotions in that scene, because back then, we were still trying to figure out why we were feeling that way. So it helped.

As for me, a major scene I struggled with was when we were on the rooftop.

Glaiza De Castro: Oh yeah! Me too. That’s also one.

Rhian Ramos: That was my first day and also ours working together. Then –

Glaiza De Castro: Yeah, the first day! Then suddenly…

Rhian Ramos: It was intense right away! Then after that scene wrapped, we were already crying and everything and the emotions were still there. Then we were still on the rooftop. Then it’s like… we just hugged each other!

Glaiza De Castro: That was before –

Rhian Ramos: I was thinking, “So this is how it’s like here!”

Glaiza De Castro: Also, before the take, we gave each other looks like, “Oh, we got this? Can we do this? Ready? Game, game.”

Rhian Ramos: Yeah, it’s like, “Is this how it is?”

Glaiza De Castro: Just from the reading, it’s like, “Oh, we’re holding each other now.” Stuff like that. Then in the middle of the scene, you remember, “Oh! We’re in the middle of shooting. Oh no, stay in character!” There are times like that.

Rhian Ramos: Yeah, sometimes I’m like, “This is why, Althea! Blah blah – oh it’s Glaiza. Wait no, Althea!”

Because that really happens sometimes.

Glaiza De Castro: Yeah.

Rhian Ramos: But that’s your job as an actor to avoid being distracted and think, “Oh, there are cameras. Oh, who are they focused on? Oh, what’s –” You know, like,”Oh, I don’t have lighting.” Right? Things like that. Those are things you should ignore. But that scene was intense. It was fun.

Glaiza De Castro: Yeah.

ORANGE MAGAZINE: Do you consider that as the most difficult scene or are there others?

Glaiza De Castro: One of the difficult scenes is the hallway scene.

The breakup where you visited my condo.

Rhian Ramos: Oh yeah!

Glaiza De Castro: You were telling me that you couldn’t do it anymore.

Rhian Ramos: I had a really hard time there.

Glaiza De Castro: Actually, we felt the same way! Then there were also cuts. Because for me, when they call cut (on a take) and I have to hold my emotions, I kind of struggle.

Rhian Ramos: Sometimes let’s say if the camera’s out of focus or the lighting is wrong or something like that.

Glaiza De Castro: Or the lapel (mic) has a problem.

Rhian Ramos: Suddenly, (they yell) “Cut!” Then they want to continue.

Glaiza De Castro: And we were already both crying.

Rhian Ramos: You go from *crying sounds* to “cut!” Then, “Okay, let’s continue.”

Glaiza De Castro: She was already at —

Rhian Ramos: I’m like, “Where am I going to get this (emotion) from?!”

Glaiza De Castro: “My family’s more important to me.” “So I’m the one you have to sacrifice! Me? You really –” “Cut! Hold emotion!”

Rhian Ramos: Yeah!

Glaiza De Castro: I was really doing this to her.

Rhian Ramos: What we would do was – this is the doorway. She’s here. I’m here. I’m touching the doorway, and she’s also holding me. Then later, we’re already like this. Then it’s like we stare at each other like, “Don’t let go!”

Glaiza De Castro: Actually, what was really on my mind then was, “Don’t you dare leave me…don’t.” Both in real life and –

Rhian Ramos: But after that scene, I was like…

Glaiza De Castro: Spaced out!

Rhian Ramos: “Glaiza, sorry. I was struggling.”

Glaiza De Castro: No!

Rhian Ramos: I felt like, “I’m sorry. I failed you.”

Glaiza De Castro: Then afterwards, we were like, “Do you know this song?” because we like to share songs.

Rhian Ramos: Yeah. We share songs to each other that we connect to, because we’re both connected through music.

Glaiza De Castro: Yeah this is great. Oh yeah, I forgot to listen to music. I suddenly remembered.

ORANGE MAGAZINE: Of course, there was awkwardness before. Is there still any and how do you handle that awkwardness with each other?

Glaiza De Castro: Is there still awkwardness? Maybe there’s awkwardness when you realize there are still people staring at you. Watching you when you have scenes that are sweet. I dunno. Like that time… we were in Wila’s house.

And there was a scene where I kissed you on the cheeks, kissed you on the nose…

Rhian Ramos: That one!

Glaiza De Castro: And the people were just like…

Rhian Ramos: And then –

Glaiza De Castro: They were really like this!

Rhian Ramos: Cheek… other cheek…

Glaiza De Castro: Right? Like –

Rhian Ramos: Forehead… nose…

Glaiza De Castro: How many times – wait!

Rhian Ramos: Oh oops, Chin!

Glaiza De Castro: And so many times, right? Not just one time. It wasn’t just one take.

Rhian Ramos: We did that scene about four or five times, so it was like…

Sign of the cross, Althea?

Glaiza De Castro: Then you glance at the side and you’re like, “Agh! There are people here!”

But between the two of us, there isn’t any.

Rhian Ramos: Physically or even emotionally, there’s no awkwardness.

Glaiza De Castro: Yeah, I don’t know. There really isn’t.

Rhian Ramos: For me, if there’s awkwardness it’s – there’s going to be a scene then it’s like, “Rhian! Let’s go!”

“Wait, I’ll use mouthwash first!” Things like that, when I know we’re going to be very close. “Hold on, I’ll get mouthwash first” or “I’ll spray perfume on myself first” or something

Then they’re like, “Come on, Rhian! Right now!”

Then it’s like, “Okay… can I drink some water?” Even just that!

Glaiza De Castro: Then she says, “I smell like fish right now, okay?” She does that.

Rhian Ramos: I say, “Glaiza –”

Glaiza De Castro: I’m like, “Huh? Of course I’m fine with that”

Rhian Ramos: When we’re starting – while they’re doing our blocking… “Glaiza, I ate – I ate some tuna.”

Or like, “Glaiza, I’m so sorry I drank coffee.”

I get so ashamed, because I know we’ll be like this.

That’s all!

ORANGE MAGAZINE: But how about the difference between a male leading man compared to the both of you?

Is it easier to adjust because you’re both women?

Rhian Ramos: For me, I only feel the difference with muscle memory.

Because there’s a certain feeling when you’re embraced…

Glaiza De Castro: It’s really different. It’s soft…

Rhian Ramos: Like… yeah.

Glaiza De Castro: Really small… That kind of thing.

Rhian Ramos: I’ve felt – because I’ve talked about this before when I came back from the first day where… the rooftop scene.

That’s when I first realized that like… I said that this isn’t any different! We can do this!

Then…

Glaiza De Castro: But…

Rhian Ramos: Because at that time, we didn’t really hug like…

Glaiza De Castro: Like that. With caressing.

Rhian Ramos: Right? First – that was our first hug! So when we hugged, it was, “Oh! Glaiza’s so small!”

Glaiza De Castro: Yeah yeah.

Rhian Ramos: Just that. It’s in the muscle memory. But the feeling… is still the same.

Glaiza De Castro: Emotions…

Rhian Ramos: Like you know when you hug someone and it has a deeper meaning. You already get that from the body language. That is still the same! You just don’t feel a heavy arm or whatever. There! It’s really just muscle memory. But other than that, nothing else.

ORANGE MAGAZINE: If you were in charge of the characters and the story, what would be the changes, minus MTRCB if ever?

Glaiza De Castro: Kiss? Okay seriously, um… “minus MTRCB”, really! That’s really it!

Rhian Ramos: For me, I don’t know if it’s okay with you, but if I were in charge, I’d really put kissing scenes.

Glaiza De Castro: Yeah.

Rhian Ramos: Because that’s natural.

Glaiza De Castro: Yeah, and for me, if I can kiss guys, then why not women, too? Right? I know I’m safe. I know I have nothing to worry about.

And there was more of a build-up for sweet moments.

Because in our first week, there was a lot. Second week… then suddenly, nothing. Then now, it’s been so long since we haven’t had a scene together. Or if we did, it’s like we’re always fighting lately.

Rhian Ramos: Yeah.

Glaiza De Castro: So yeah, I miss the light moments.

Rhian Ramos: For me, I feel like making a rule: maximum number of fighting days!

If you exceed this, you’re all wrong! It’s not allowed.

Glaiza De Castro: It’s not allowed anymore.

Rhian Ramos: “Not allowed!” You can’t fight anymore after three days of fighting. That’s forbidden.

Glaiza De Castro: Yeah, how many fights already was that?

Rhian Ramos: Because even for me… sometimes we already know when our characters are really fighting, because we don’t see each other at taping. All my scenes are with other characters, so I’m at a different location. You’re somewhere else. Then when we see each other again, it’s like, “Oh! Right!”

Glaiza De Castro: “Oh yeah, right?”

Rhian Ramos: “Cuz we’ve been fighting for so long!”

Glaiza De Castro: Recently, our only scene was me going to you but we weren’t scene partners.

I was only like this from afar.

Rhian Ramos: Yes! I didn’t even see you!

Glaiza De Castro: Yeah.

Rhian Ramos: It was just that.

Glaiza De Castro: I wanted to shout then. “Jade! Hello, I’m just here!”

Rhian Ramos: “Hi! It’s me! It’s me! Althea.”

Glaiza De Castro: But it wasn’t allowed, because the script said, “Jade will not see her. Althea will leave.”

“Oh okay.”

ORANGE MAGAZINE: What have you learned from your characters?

Glaiza De Castro: Hm, that’s a very.. challenging question.

Rhian Ramos: Yes, so challenging.

Glaiza De Castro: Because Althea’s character is so complex. From the very beginning, maybe one of the things I admire from my character is that she’s not afraid to voice out her feelings. Because in a way, I have difficulties expressing my feelings. When I explain my feelings, I struggle. Althea’s very direct to the point. When she wants to say something to someone, she says it right away. She doesn’t hesitate. That’s one of the things that I want to learn from her. And if I learned something from the character… there were so many challenges that have happened to her. She’s so relentless… to the point where, “It’s okay if I turn crazy, as long as I get what I want and I get to be with the people I love.” That’s how she is. She’ll really fight for it. Althea versus Oscar and Tommy? What else? If that were me, I’d go crazy, too.

Rhian Ramos: Althea versus power. Althea versus money. Althea versus…

Glaiza De Castro: …forces of nature.

Rhian Ramos: Forces of nature!

Glaiza De Castro: I don’t know, but she’s very relentless. There. You?

Rhian Ramos: It’s always a challenge for me, because my characters are… When I join a project, my requirement is always that my character isn’t similar to me. Because that way, I feel like I have more to learn.

ORANGE MAGAZINE: If you were lesbians, is it possible for you to be in a relationship?

Glaiza De Castro: Well, why not?

Rhian Ramos: Why wouldn’t we be?

Glaiza De Castro: Does that question even need to be asked?

Rhian Ramos: Yeah! I do feel like we naturally get along. Right? We already know –

Glaiza De Castro: Yeah. So… you guys get it. Yeah…

Rhian Ramos: You guys already know that!

Glaiza De Castro: No more hopia for you guys!

Award Acceptance speech:

Rhian Ramos: First of all, I just wanna thank GMA for putting up the Blogger Style Camp. Because that was a great experience for us. Even if we actually don’t like competing, we were happy to have the experience to be creative, to exercise that, and to meet new people and collaborate!

Glaiza De Castro: Yes. And one of the great factors about this project that was fun is that the fans were engaged.

Rhian Ramos: Yes.

Glaiza De Castro: The TRMD supporters were involved and the support we received was shocking. Especially when we found out the number of votes we received! So thank you for making this possible.

Rhian Ramos: GMA, thank you for starting this conversation with us and our fans, and for strengthening our relationship.Thank you.

Glaiza De Castro: Yeah!

Rhian Ramos: Thank you!

Glaiza De Castro: Hi guys!

Rhian Ramos: We just wanna thank all of the fans who voted persistently for Team Rastro.

Glaiza De Castro: Yes.

Rhian Ramos: Our lead was so high! Thank you so much!

Glaiza De Castro: You’re all incredible! I hope you actually get sleep sometimes.

Rhian Ramos: Yeah, thanks for the lack of sleep and hand cramps.

Glaiza De Castro: Your efforts were worth it, because here! Other than us becoming victorious – I mean, all of us becoming victorious! For sure, this isn’t the end. There are many other good things that’ll happen, and we want to give (something) back for all the support you’re giving us. And don’t get tired of watching TRMD, even though we only have three weeks left. For sure, after that, you’ll see more things that will make you happy.

Rhian Ramos: We really, really appreciate all of the support that you give us. We may be the ones holding these awards, but this is really 100% completely yours. Because you made this happen. You’re the ones who voted. When the voting closed then opened again, you still kept voting! So we really, really appreciate the support and effort that you give us. Thank you so much, and anything else that we get in the future, we always get it because of you! So –

Glaiza De Castro: Cheers.

Rhian Ramos: Cheers! Ting!

Thank you so much! Thank you so much to all of you. Thanks so much. It’s all yours.

Glaiza De Castro: Thank you!

Rhian Ramos: Yours!

 

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