http://businessmirror.com.ph/home/life/17993-celebrations.html
Unmasking the smiles of Masskara

As I embarked on my first MassKara Festival after eight-long years, I found myself in the company of GMA resident stars Rhian Ramos, TJ Trinidad and the controversial Katrina Halili in Bacolod. These Kapuso artists took time off from their busy schedules to give joy to the people of Negros during the MassKara weekend.

It has been a tradition of GMA to make the major Philippine festivals a star-studded affair; thus, the network sends its celebrities to all these festivities. While waiting for the special mall show of GMA to start, I learned that Rhian and TJ have already spearheaded an outreach program in a remote town called Sum-Ag in the outskirts of Bacolod City, where the GMA Kapuso Foundation distributed basic goods and food products to poor families.

Although visibly tired, TJs eyes lit up when he shared his experience. "To be able to be an instrument in bringing joy to people is already a big thing for me, but to have seen the happiness in children when we handed them their schoolbags and school supplies was something truly priceless."

Rhian was quick to add, "When the kids tried to touch our hands, the gesture was more than just them wanting to get close to an artista, but it was more like a gesture of appreciation, like saying thanks without spoken words. TJ and I were so touched."

Both Rhian and TJ are playing important roles in the Philippine TV adaptation of the hit Korean drama Stairway to Heaven. The two were joined by Katrina at the SM Mall in Bacolod, where each rendered songs and participated in games with the starstruck crowd.

http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=517293&publicationSubCategoryId=70
Earlier, Rhian and TJ attended an outreach program in Dr. Joaquin Villarosa Multi-Purpose Complex in Brgy. Sum-ag. They had fun games participated in by 100 children aged six to 12. Winners brought home GMA items and prizes.

Rhian Ramos responds to the crowds warm welcome by singing Tell Me Where It Hurts at the Kapuso mall show

any more pics of tj and rhian ?? how nice naman these two. bless their hearts!!!

waaahh why naman walang pic si tj? only rhian's pic was posted there

wala talaga akong makita rin, sayang.

hmmm ganda naman ng necklace ni rhian... ano ang significance kaya nyan?

Bacolod The screams, cheers and applause from Bacolodnons last weekend during the GMA Networks Kapuso Mall Show at the SM Bacolod Activity Center showed that Stairway to Heaven fever has reached Bacolod as well.

Im very flattered with the Bacolodnons warm welcome. They were even shouting Jodi aside from my name, remarked GMA Artist Center Princess and star of Stairway to Heaven Rhian Ramos.

Aside from singing for her fans, Rhian took part in a game wherein three young men were chosen from the crowd to win her heart through their talents like singing and dancing. The Kapuso Networks festivity is in line with Bacolod Festivals popular annual celebration Maskara Festival. The stars present aside from Rhian Ramos were TJ Trinidad and Katrina Halili who also took part of giving out GMA School bags and supplies to 100 student-beneficiaries at the Brgy. Sum-ag Gym in Bacolod City in the morning.

Being surprised is one of the reasons of Rhians enjoyment in Bacolod. According to her, she is the type who has no expectations whenever she travels or her job brings her to different places.

Im not the type of person who goes somewhere and has some expectations of what the place has to fulfill for my life or something. I like traveling so when I go to a new place, the key to enjoying it is to keep an open mind, if they are going to have a different customs or different food, you have to keep an open mind to what youre going to experience, she related.

So how does she feel about Stairway to Heavens success which has reached Bacolod?

Stairway to Heaven is doing well and I was surprised because I was expecting that since viewers already saw the original version before and napakahusay ng paggawa nila, people are still following us, she said.

Rhian also attributed the success of the series and her love triangle with Dingdong Dantes and TJ Trinidad to their director Joyce Bernal.

Our director is a genius when it comes to love stories. Actually our treatment was very different from the original. We are working with the same story but the treatments very different because its localized. Our director knows kung ano ang mas nakakakilig sa mga Pinoys, described Rhian.

The good ratings and positive feedbacks that Stairway to Heaven is getting is also a benchmark for Rhians acting. For the actress, it only means that she could be paired with other leading men from the Kapuso Network.

Because I get to work with a wide range of GMA-7 leading men, I learned a lot from them also... pressure I handle not so well pero the key I think is to not get pressured in the first place. Kasi once Im there, I freak myself out. I wasnt scared naman coming in a project with Dingdong knowing that he is with Marian. I didnt think it would be a big deal since lahat naman kami pareho ang mga trabaho. Lahat kami mga artista na umaarte pagdating sa TV so Im sure na we all understand the situations we are in, commented Rhian.

But does she find Dingdong Dantes attractive?

He is just the third sexiest man in the world. And I agree... I just hope walang intriga between me and Marian because were all in the same line of work so I know she knows my situation that Im just working, she replied.

Rhian at 19

Literally speaking turning 19 last Oct. 3 was a storm for Rhian Ramos as typhoon Ondoy brought havoc to Metro Manila and neighboring provinces. So rather than accepting gifts, she turned them into relief goods for the needy!

My birthday wish was not for me but for the victims of Ondoy. I even asked for donations. And I really put a lot of effort in giving out relief goods wherein my sponsors also helped me, she said.

So what can her fans expect from her showbiz and personal life?

Im always trying to do something new every year. This year singing was it. I just launched my first single ever entitled You which is part of the X-Play album called Club Audition. Its an on-line game on dancing, shared Rhian.

What she wants to accomplish though is to be able to make good decisions 100% most of the time. And shes confident that shed be able to from her three-year experience in showbiz!

As an actress, Rhian stressed that she is open to doing mature roles. She wants meatier roles or serious roles that even tackle issues.

Im always open to mature roles. Im already here in showbiz, Im acting so might as well do something na malaki ang impact and may moral lessons, quipped Rhian who admitted that one of her dream roles is a criminal with dark background!

Now that election season is nearing and that shes of age to vote, will she be endorsing any politician?

At my age, I will be a first time voter this coming election, I dont think Im equipped to be able to make a decision and tell everyone to follow my decision, she replied.

In the realm of romantic love, the 19-year-old actress revealed that she is not contemplating having a boyfriend but wouldnt mind dating more. Since stepping into the limelight, she never had a boyfriend.

Never akong umabot sa point that I would commit. Actually ang pinaka naging problem I think with me and anyone remotely close to being a boyfriend is that I put more time on my work than my relationship. If I have a boyfriend hell be jealous of my work and the time I spend on work, sighed Rhian.