Anne Curtis:"My Story"

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Where do I begin?? Well, I had a normal & amazing childhood in the lovely little town of Yarrwonga, Victoria Australia. From kinder to the very end of primary school, I lived there. Some of the warmest memories I have in my life are those I had there. I would ride my bike to school, I played ‘til I had to be called inside, had sleepovers, played netball, joined the girl guides, went camping, enjoyed Fish & Chips with chicken salt, went swimming at the lake… I pretty much did everything a child should do as a kid and never dreamt of being an actress when I was younger. In fact, when I was about six, I dreamt of being Nadia Comaniche, the first gymnast to get a perfect 10 at the Olympics.
Now being half-Filipino & half-Australian, every year our family would come visit the Philippines to see my mum’s relatives. And so I grew to know & love the country each time we came for a vacation. But in 1997, the vacation turned into a permanent stay. You see, in 1997, while eating at a fast-food chain along Boni Hi-way, I was approached and asked if I’d like to get into some modeling. My dad, of course, thought it was a scam but my mum whom by the way, wished to be an actress when she was younger, was all for it. So behind my dad’s back, she took the young and awkward 12 year old girl that I was to VTR’s.
And lucky me, I bagged my first TV commercial within a week or so. My dad finally came around and allowed me to pursue this new found opportunity. So we decided to move and I studied here in the Philippines. I did Grade 7 at the Colegio de Sta.Rosa. And because I could not speak or understand a word of Tagalog, I had special Filipino classes with two other girls who had also just moved. So I must give credit to the school that helped me with the basics back then. So there I was, the new kid in school studying, and “modeling.”
After a month or so they asked if I’d like to try acting and audition for a part in a movie. Of course, I was game! So after school (I remember this so clearly) I went to my very first audition. Still in my school uniform with gravy on my top, and because I had arrived so late, they were already picking in the line who would be the final few to audition. And lucky me, I was part of that batch! So, we all went, still in a line, in front of the directors, Direk Pegue Gallaga & Lore Reyes. There we were asked to introduce ourselves and then act like a princess! I think any girl at 12, at one point or another, had played and made believe that they were a princess.
 So I am proud to say that I think I did quite well for my first audition. And I guess I thought right! Because later that evening, they called to confirm that I had gotten the part as “Princess Dahlia” for the movie “Magic Kingdom,” which was set to be part of the Metro Manila Film Festival! And this was when my career as an actress began…
 I was signed up immediately with Viva Films and I have been with them from then on. 14 years and still going! Through them, I was given my first TV stint as “Jasmin” in their then hit drama teleserye “Ikaw na Sana” of Angelu de Leon & Bobby Andrews (GMA7). Coincidentally, I happened to be a major fan of them since I followed T.G.I.S. Little did I know that soon enough, I would be part of that youth-oriented show as “Em.” I must say that my start in the industry was so much fun & truly memorable. Roles kept coming in and I was fortunately given the role of “Ginny” in “AnnaKarenNina.” Viva then gave me an opportunity to do the film “Ika-13 Kapitulo.” I started off with very humble roles like as the younger sister or the friend of the lead. But I always gave my best regardless if I had lines or not… And I believe that through patience & faith, you can achieve your dreams.
 I was very visible on TV through “May Bukas Pa” (IBC13) and comedy shows like “Beh bote Nga,” “Bubble Gang,” “Idol ko si Kap,” and “Nuts Entertainment” on GMA 7. But it was in 2007 that we were approached by ABS-CBN and asked if we wanted to do the soap opera “HIRAM” with Kris Aquino, Dina Bonnevie, Heart Evangelista & Geoff Eigenmann. ABS-CBN management said that I was to take on the role of the gray character. As an actress who had been doing a lot of comedy and balikbayan roles, I got very scared. However, something in me wanted to take on the challenge and I knew I wanted to try drama. So we did it and I know it was not a mistake. The feedback I got was overwhelming and people started noticing that I could actually act and do more than my usual balikbayan roles.  After that, I became part of the noontime variety show ASAP MANIA. The next year, I bagged the lead role in the TV remake of “Kampanerang Kuba,” my very first fantaserye, which was actually quite challenging for I portrayed the hunchback “Imang.” But it was truly memorable for me and I will always treasure it for it was my very first title role.
After “Kampanerang Kuba,” my next soap opera was “Maging Sino Ka Man,” where I portrayed as “Celine Magsaysay.” This character, I have to say, tested my versatility as an actress. It’s one of my hardest characters to date but definitely one, if not on the top, of my favorite characters that I will always love. “Maging Sino Ka Man Book 2” followed then I did “The Wedding.” After that, I had my favorite title role as “Dyosa.” And then my most recent Koreanovela remake, “Green Rose.”
While acting for TV, I still continued to do some films like “Wag Kang Lilingon,” “When Love Begins,” “Baler,” for which I received my first ever BEST ACTRESS award at the Metro Manila Film Festival, and “In Your Eyes,” where I also got my first BEST SUPPORTING ACTRESS award at the FAP LUNA AWARDS.
I never really was a host but I enjoyed being a VJ for MTV Philippines for a little while. I also did the SCQ Summer Kids Quest and Cupids. But I realized my true love for hosting when I became part of the show “Showtime.” Until now it’s the reason I get up early every morning to make you guys, our madlang people, happy. It was also through Showtime that I was able to share my “talent” in singing! Hence, the birth of my album that was just released – ANNEBISYOSA!!
My career of 14 years has been a rollercoaster ride but I’ve enjoyed every single moment of it! I treasure everything I’ve learned and still am learning! I value and am so thankful for all the blessings that have come my way! So I’m very, very excited to see what the future has yet to bring! From the bottom of my heart, thank you to everyone who has been with me in this career journey!