EXCLUSIVE: Ara Davao on having celebrity parents: 'I have the best mentors'

After officially joining showbiz in 2021 when she signed a contract with the Kapamilya network, actress Ara Davao made her acting debut in FPJ’s Batang Quiapo earlier this year. Ara’s first film project Fatherland will also be hitting the cinemas.

“It was different from my Batang Quiapo character. I think I was more strong here and practical,” she told PUSH ABS-CBN in an exclusive interview about her roles. 

READ: EXCLUSIVE: Ara Davao on being part of the movie Fatherland: ‘Give your best with any role’

During the interview, the gorgeous Star Magic artist admitted she didn’t want to join showbiz when she was still in school because she was focused on her academics. 

“So my grade school and high school, they didn’t allow it and it was not in my mind. I liked the acting in school. But I was really focused on finishing school and then when I got to college, I still liked acting and the thought never left but I was just focused on finishing. Like I didn’t think of multi-tasking at that time.

"I think because Star Magic also contacted me right after graduation. So parang what was on my mind and then their offer was like parang sabay. So it aligned. And then when I graduated, it felt like the perfect time to start workshops na. So here we are (laughs),” she explained. 

Ara is also known as the youngest daughter of talented actors Jackie Lou Blanco and Ricky Davao, a distinction she says can be perceived in two different ways.

“It could be a challenge but it’s a challenge that's already there. You could just use it as motivation. I just always tell myself I have the best mentors. Like when I go home I can ask them anything. I try to think of it that way. The best lesson they taught me is to be kind to everyone first before anything. Be professional,” she recalled. 

WATCH: Ara Davao wants to work with Joshua Garcia, Daniel Padilla | PUSH TV

Having been exposed to showbiz at an early age, Ara said she admires a lot of actors and hopes to work with some of her favorites someday.

“I’m a big fan of Vilma Santos, Kathryn Bernardo, so many. Also tita (Cherry) Pie Picache and Ms. Maricel Soriano. I’m a fan girl na (laughs). I’ve been a fan of Kathryn since I was young. I’ve seen all her movies and all her looks from when she was in her teens, her younger style and then until now,”  she revealed. 

READ: Ara Davao gears up for more exciting roles after 'FPJ’s Batang Quiapo'

Ara said she would also love to work with character actress Cherry Pie Picache, who is also part of the cast of her last two projects. “Si tita Pie naman we saw each other in the events of Fatherland but we didn’t get to have a scene together. Also in Batang Quiapo, our plots were not involved with each other so hopefully, I get to work with her soon. We’ll see. Hopefully,” she added. 

Not wanting to reveal her current celebrity crush, Ara offered up the qualities she finds attractive in men instead.

"Actually, when I was younger, usually my type is like Pinoy to chinoy talaga But sometimes I have tisoy crush also. It depends (laughs).”