Maria Colico: A Pinay freelance actress and model

Maria Colico

Hindi na bago ang mga Pilipina na kinikilala sa ibang bansa dahil sa kanilang husay sa pagkanta at pag-arte. Natural sa mga Pilipino ang pagiging talentado tulad nina Lea Slaonga, Rachel Ann Go, Aicelle Santos, Mark Bautista at marami pang iba na nakapagtanghal at hinahangaan sa pandaigdigang entablado.

Isa si Maria Colico sa mga Pilipino na masigasig na gumagawa ng pangalan sa Japan bilang isang aktres at modelo.

Ilan sa mga palabas at commercial na kanyang ginawa ay ang  “Sekai Nihonjin Tsuma,” “Senmo Bengoshi 99.9,” “Anata Wo Kyouhakushimasu,” “Todome No Kisu,” “Tantei Midarai,” “Unbelievble,” “Benesse,” “Las Vegas Honda CM,” 2018 Exile the Second MV,” at “2018 AKB 48 Ja BaJa MV.”

Aminado si Maria, na nanalo rin bilang Mrs. Philippines-Japan, na hindi madaling pumasok sa Japanese showbiz industry dahil sa may prosesong sinusunod dito. Subalit, hindi pinanghinaan ng loob si Maria at sa halip ay nagtiyaga siyang mag-audition.

“I always do auditions. There is no such things as connection or favoritism. We can never choose a role. I am really thankful that I fit the role most of the time because of my looks especially my skin color and aura,” pahayag ni Maria sa panayam ng Pinoy Gazette.

Aniya, kakaiba ang showbiz industry ng Japan dahil sa maraming mga ipinagbabawal na sa umpisa ay nahirapan siyang sundin ngunit kinalaunan ay naintindihan at nakasanayan na niya.

“I can say it’s very strict and very opposite from Philippine showbiz. There’s a lot of rules such as not talking to the celebrity and any of the cast that have higher roles than you. We even cannot get closer to them. Staring at them is not allowed too because they might feel scared and uncomfortable. At first, I feel so choked and I didn’t enjoy it because of too much limits but in the long run, I finally understand why. It’s really about getting used to it and understanding the culture,” kwento pa ni Maria na pangarap na makatrabaho sina Vin Diesel at Tyrese Gibson.

Masaya si Maria na hindi siya nawawalan ng proyekto at sa katunayan ay mayroon siyang gagawin na pinamagatang “I Am Not A Bird” sa ilalim ng Happy-Sad LLC at Twenty First City Inc.

“It will be shown in Hollywood, California and I will be working with some big celebrities. I can’t say more details for now because it is still confidential and ongoing. I am really excited and can’t wait to be done!”

Hindi inakala ni Maria na makakapasok siya sa ganitong uri ng industriya. Noong 2002, nagtatrabaho siya bilang sales lady sa isang boutique shop sa Daikanyama. Mayroon siyang naging kaibigan na isang celebrity na nagsabi at naghikayat sa kanya na subukan ang showbiz sa Japan. Mayroon din nagbigay sa kanya ng calling card mula sa Avex Platinum Production, na isa sa mga kilalang music publishing company sa Japan.

Ang karanasang iyon ang naging inspirasyon ni Maria na sumubok sa pag-arte at pagmomodelo. Lumabas siya bilang modelo sa commercial ng Denny’s Restaurant at doon na nagsimula ang kanyang karera sa Japan.

Bilang isang Pinay, hindi nakakalimot si Maria na tumulong sa Filipino community sa pagbabahagi ng kanyang mga talent.

“I am joining some charity events, sports fest, beauty pageants, Philippines Festival…What I think I can contribute to my community is to show my talents especially singing. This is what usually people request me to do it during events and radio shows.

“And I think another thing that I can do for the community is to be a good model as a God fearing person, show some good morals and being an inspiration as I was a former Mrs. Philippines-Japan,” ani Maria.

Nais ni Maria na maging inspirasyon sa kapwa Pilipino na patuloy na mangarap at tuparin ang mga ito kahit na gaano kahirap.

“Don’t ever give up on what you want to be and what you want to have. Our dreams are not impossible as long as we will do our best, fight for it, strive hard and keep on trying. Failure is a normal thing and it is a good experience for our growth as a human. Age doesn’t matter. Age must not be the reason for you to stop dreaming.”