A childhood fantasy – that’s what being an actress was to Loisa Andalio. And, truly, when your heart wants it, you’ll do whatever it takes. The “Talented Darling of Paranaque” has gone from just fantasizing about the life of an actress to becoming a leading lady today. But make no mistake, with her back-to-back lead roles in Love In 40 Days and currently Pira-Pirasong Piraso, her career is just starting to take off to greater heights.

Take a peek into her acting bucket list and be inspired by her story of grit – and manifestation – in this episode of Tatak Star Magic Celebrity Conversations.

Talking to singer-songwriter Moira Lacambra, the triple-threat Loisa brings to mind her childhood where she only dreamed of entering showbiz, “Pangarap ko talaga mag-artista… Kasi growing up, hilig ko talaga manood ng TV at ABS-CBN, talagang fan ako ng mga Star Magic artists. ‘Yun talaga ang goal ko.”

“Mahilig ako kumanta, sumayaw. Naaalala ko, tuwing summer, ‘pag mataas ‘yung grades ko, ‘yung Tita ko na nasa ibang bansa pinagwo-workshop niya ako sa Star Magic. So, talagang bata pa lang ako, nagwo-workshop na ako ng acting, singing, dancing.”

“Gusto ko talaga,” she said of performing, her biggest joy since she was a kid.

Taking flight onto her dream was easier since she has her parents beneath her wings. They and all her other relatives were her first audience, as she would perform during Christmas and get-togethers. “Supportive sila sa gusto ko. Binibilhan nila ako ng videoke, ‘yung mga bagong kanta. Binibilhan talaga nila ako ng ganyan para makapag-practice ako. Sa sayaw naman, talagang sinusuportahan nila ako sa school ‘pag may mga intermission number, nanonood sila.”

“Alam nilang ito talaga ‘yung gusto ko.” But, had life taken a different turn, she realized she could’ve been an elementary school teacher, or a veterinarian since she’s a huge animal lover.

At 15, Loisa joined Pinoy Big Brother All In, which was quite uncomfortable for her parents since she was still a teenager. They were wary of sleepovers, let alone allowing her to stay in a house where she’d become vulnerable to the public. “’Yung PBB, first time kong nahiwalay talaga sa kanila na hindi ko sila kasama matulog. Kasi sa bahay tabi-tabi kami, parents, mga kapatid ko, isang room lang talaga kami,” she shared.

But it proved to be worth it, helping Loisa find her wings and true strength, “Kasi ‘pag pumasok ka talaga sa isang reality show, there’s no turning back, eh, talagang alam na nila ‘yung buhay mo.”

The universe conspired for Loisa since her PBB exit, as she started to play minor roles in teleseryes until she landed her first lead role in 2022 via Love In 40 Days, which is also her biggest pride in her acting résumé.

“Talagang kakaiba ‘yung experience niya. Kasi before, gumagawa ako ng ‘Wansapanataym,’ favorite ko din ‘yung ‘Wansapanataym,’ as in, gusto ko ‘yung ang daming nangyayari, may mga effects. Pero ‘yun kasi light lang, pambata talaga,” she said. “Ito naman [Love In 40 Days], mas matured na ‘yung mga characters. Favorite ko siya pero challenging talaga kasi uulitin mo ‘yung mga eksena dahil sa mga graphics.”

Loisa is so fascinated with fantasy stories that she wants to make more in the future. “Gusto ko ‘yung mga fantaserye talaga,” she gushed, citing Angela Locsin’s “Lobo” as one of her favorites. On her dream co-star, she imparted, “Wala akong pinipili. Kahit sino, okay akong makatrabaho. Gusto ko nga ‘yung nasu-surprise ako, eh.”

She enjoys working with veteran stars, for she also learns from them. And one of the greatest lessons she’s picked up from the people in the industry is humility, “I think ‘yun ang pinaka-importante, na bukod sa passion mo, kailangan mabait ka rin talaga, marunong ka rumespeto at makisama.”

The Kapamilya beauty is glad that she has Star Magic, her family in showbiz that guides her life’s every aspect, “Family talaga siya. Hindi lang siya sa trabaho, hindi lang kung may problem aka sa taping o show, pero personal din. ‘Pag nagkakaroon ako ng problema sa family, ‘pag hindi ako okay, sila talaga ‘yung matatakbuhan ko.”

Catch more of Loisa in Pira-Pirasong Piraso, Mondays to Fridays at 3 p.m., and Saturdays at 2:30 p.m., on Kapamilya Channel, Kapamilya Online Live, TV5, and A2Z.