MANILA -- Former child star Rhed Bustamante, now a teenager, has expressed her desire to step behind the camera and pursue directing in the future. 

In a recent interview, Bustamante shared that she is currently a senior high school student taking up the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) strand, with plans to specialize in film in college.

“Na-inspire lang po ako gumawa ng magagandang movies, I don’t know, ‘yung mga anime na movies,” she said, citing her admiration for cinematic storytelling. 

While she remains committed to her acting career, she envisions herself as a director someday. “Gusto ko din naman po ituloy ‘yung career ko na ganito (as an actress), but you know, ako na po ‘yung nasa behind (the camera) -- director po,” she added.

Rhed Bustamante. Photo by Ganiel Krishnan

Aside from her title role in the upcoming film "The Rapists of Pepsi Paloma," Bustamante is also set to appear in a teleserye on TV5. “For now, meron po akong [project] sa TV5 po. Series po kay Ms. Ryza Cenon, as young Ryza po ako,” she revealed.

As she makes her showbiz comeback, Bustamante shared that she is embracing the experience with excitement and gratitude. 

“Hindi naman po ako naninibago, natutuwa lang po ako. It’s nice to be back. It feels great po kasi I didn’t expect any of this naman po. I’m just really grateful na nagkaroon ako ng ganitong opportunity. I’m grateful po, hindi ko po sasayangin lahat,” she said.

Despite the pressures of returning to the entertainment industry, Bustamante assured that she remains unfazed, as acting is something she truly loves. “Hindi naman po [ako overwhelmed] kasi I love doing this po. Hindi po ako napapagod,” she said.

When asked about how she deals with challenges, she credited her faith and strong support system. “Aside from God po, ‘yung support from my family and my friends kasi sila po nagpapalakas ng loob ko na I can do all these,” she shared.