Karina Bautista has never envisioned a future in the limelight, but as they say, life can do a full 180, and she’s happy where her independent, adventurous soul has brought her today.

In this episode of Tatak Star Magic Celebrity Conversations, Karina shared how Pinoy Big Brother and Star Magic taught her to chase bigger dreams. Her life growing up was a rollercoaster journey in that her family started well off until they faced financial setbacks, forcing them to leave the city life behind.

Karina can no doubt bloom wherever she’s planted. Her life in the province was difficult yet she managed to thrive as a student and teenager. Thinking there’s no harm in trying, she auditioned for PBB Otso though she wasn’t as eager and serious as the other aspirants, “As joke lang, ‘yung parang ‘pag nanalo, okay, ‘pag hindi okay lang din.”

But, perhaps, it was her chill manner during the audition that endeared everyone, “Pinakita ko talaga kung sino ako. Lumalabas ako sa pila. Nagpaalam pa ako, ‘May debate po kasi ako sa school, balik na lang po ako in after 3 to 4 hours.’ Nagkaroon ako ng gano’ng strength na sabihin ‘yun kasi it was something I didn’t prioritize.”

PBB changed her life, shaping her into a girl who knows how to dream bigger for herself and her family, “I won’t settle for this life kasi alam kong kaya ko pa. And I believe the Lord has given me this talent para i-achieve ‘yung, malay natin, mas angat pa doon sa pinagsimulan natin.”

The end of PBB Otso signalled a shift in Karina’s journey, as TV appearances and her first acting stint via afternoon soap Sandugo greeted her in the outside world. Then, Viral Scandal happened. Portraying Bea Sicat was her ultimate litmus test as an actress, as she was given a meaty backstory and shining moments. She was no longer just in the background, and people would start calling her “Bea from Viral Scandal,” proof that she made a mark.

She had a difficult time getting close with her Viral Scandal co-stars since she built her walls too high due to her traumatic experiences as a PBB housemate. “Kasi natatakot ako. I’m from a reality show where lahat ng ginawa ko, nahusgahan at napanood ng tao. So, ‘pag lumalapit ako sa ibang tao, feeling ko may pre-judgment na sila about me. So, nando’n ‘yung fear ko na baka may gano’n na silang iniisip.”

But it would be her Viral Scandal family that would teach her to let people in. She remembers Dimples Romana saying, “Kare, your walls are too high. Don’t worry, hindi ka namin sasaktan dito.” From there, she grew more comfortable cultivating a lasting friendship with Dimples, Charlie Dizon, Kaila Estrada, and the rest of the Viral Scandal cast.

With her acting chops, wit, and captivating beauty, the future is bright for Karina. And she treads it gracefully with Star Magic. “Lahat ng ito, hindi madali… It really takes time and a lot of effort, hard work, and learning. Kasi ‘pag nanonood ka sa TV, parang, ‘Ang dali lang, umiiyak lang ‘to, umaarte lang.’ Pero hindi mo nakikita how they embody their characters, paano sila dumadaan sa puyatan at mga segue taping kung saan-saan.” Being an actress is no walk in the park but she knows Star Magic always got her back, “Ang sarap magtrabaho na alam mong inaalagaan ka.”

“Binibigyan nila kami ng opportunity to be the best versions of ourselves, not only when it comes to acting, singing, dancing, or hosting, but also in real life,” she said of Star Magic, which she described as the “home of the best.”

Asked her dream roles, Karina revealed that she wants to play a ‘kontrabida’ role and give it a more realistic and refreshing take, “I want to break the stereotype na ang kontrabida kailangan mataas ang kilay, kailangan maldita. Pero in real life, we all know, anyone can be a kontrabida.” She hopes to do action as well, or a project with a narrative related to her favorite sport, swimming.

Watch Karina’s Tatak Star Magic Celebrity Conversations episode with host DJ Jhai Ho.