Kapuso actress Kyline Alcantara recounts the discrimination she experienced from a director early on in her career because of her accent.
In the media conference for the newest episodes of GMA Network’s anthology series, I Can See You: # Future, Alcantara shared her heartbreaking story and how it boosted her fire as an actress.
She highlighted how this incident from her days as a young talent boosted her fire as an artist.
“Siguro ito na lang po ‘yung nag boost ng fire ko para mas galingan ko pa. I had a show before, talent pa lang po ako.”
She then went through her experience in detail. She highlights getting discriminated against as a talent. Additionally, the director of the said show belittled her because of her accent.
“Yeah, na-discriminate ako na parang, ‘talent ka lang, jan ka lang. Talent ka lang, taga-Bicol ka pa. Ang panget ng accent mo. Ayus-ayusin mo ‘yan. Nasaan ba nanay mo.’ Sabi sa akin ng director.”
Worst of all, the said director called for Alcantara’s mom, subjecting her mother to the same treatment.
“Asan ba ang Nanay mo. Pinapunta si Mama sa set. Sabi, ‘magsalita ka.’ Pinagsalita si Mama kasi ang problema sa akin ‘yung tono ko ng pananalita. Kasi may bahid ng pagiging Bicolana.”
She recalled how it made her feel, especially with her mom receiving borderline abusive treatment.
“Tapos ‘yung feeling na napahiya ka dun sa set. Yung feeling na hindi lang ikaw ‘yung napahiya sa set kung ‘di pati ‘yung nanay mo ‘yung napahiya sa set. Ayaw ko nang magkaroon ng ganong feeling.”
She highlights that it made her work hard to gain respect. Alcantara also highlights she thinks highly of talents because of her experience.
“That’s why I worked really hard, and I’m still working really hard to gain that respect. Kaya sobrang taas din ng tingin ko sa mga talent ngayon, kasi alam ko ang pakiramdam ng pagiging talent.”
Although she didn’t name the said director, the most heartbreaking part of this story is, the incident happened when she was eight years old.
Alcantara started her career in 2011 with the teleserye Mutya. From there, Alcantara starred in her breakout role in Kambal Karibal. She has recently starred in the Kapuso teleserye, Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit.
I Can See You: #Future aims to provide a commentary on how people use social media these days. Alcantara top-bills the newest episodes of the I Can See You: #Future with actor Miguel Tanfelix. Alongside them are Aiko Melendez, Gabby Eigenmann, Mikoy Morales, and Dani Porter. Directed by Director Dominic Zapata, I Can See You: #Future airs this April 5, 2021, right after First Yaya.
