Isabel Abiera considers her upcoming 18th birthday party as a very special occasion not just in her life as a woman, but also a celebrity. Now that she has become a familiar face with audiences because of her hosting stint on Wowowee and a kontrabida role in Rosalka, Isabel said she is more serious with her work. “I’ll be turning 18 na so gusto ko na talagang seryosohin itong trabaho ko. Ayoko nang puro pa-cute na lang. Ayoko na model model lang ako sa TV. Gusto kong talagang i-push ‘yung limits ko as an artist. Walang kwenta kung puro ganda lang ang ipapakita mo.”

Isabel has Spanish-Irish-Italian blood and holds Filipino-American citizenship. Prior to bagging a role in the afternoon teleserye Rosalka, Isabel spent several months in the US and for a while worked in a construction company. She further revealed that she got an agent there who helped her get auditions. “I went to several auditions sa Disney and Fox. Nag final audition din ako for the movie ng Jonas Brothers. Pero kasi puro sitcoms at younger roles ang sinasabing bagay sa akin. For three months, pumunta ako sa iba pang mga audition pero sadly wala akong nakuha.”

Although the offers she was getting were very tempting, she had decided that those were not the roles she wanted to do. The experience made her realize that it would be best if she pursued acting in the Philippines. “Pero kasi puro sitcoms at younger roles ang sinasabing bagay sa akin. E ang gusto ko kasi serious, dramatic acting. That made me realize na mas gusto kong maging actress dito sa sa Philippines. Gusto ko dito ‘yung mga serious, dramatic acting. Ayoko nung mga ino-offer sa akin sa States na teen comedies, pang-Nickelodeon. When I was in the US nalaman ko na mas Pinay pala ako. ‘Yung humor nila hindi ko gusto kasi hindi ‘yun ang culture ko. Mas gusto ko rin mag showbiz dito because my family is here. Sa US mag isa lang ako.”

Now that she is slowly fulfilling her dreams, Isabel is more focused on work and doesn’t want any distractions, including love. She said she doesn’t go out on dates because she doesn’t have the time. “Actually, showbiz answer ito pero mas gusto ko munang mag-focus sa career ko. Wala na ako masyadong oras to go on dates. Kapag may boyfriend ka kasi parang puro love na lang nasa utak mo. Dapat lagi pa kayong nagkikita. Ngayon ang gusto ko araw araw may trabaho.”