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‘This is Where I Wanted to Be’: Rhian Ramos in Her New Era

October 11, 2024 @genzmagph

Life has a way of unfolding slowly, revealing its depths and layers over time. In a world where everything seems to move at breakneck speed—where trends change overnight, data updates by the minute, and fast fashion reigns—it’s easy to forget that our personal journeys are not as hurried.

Real understanding takes time. Wisdom, after all, doesn’t sink in overnight. It takes reflection, quiet pauses, and the courage to step away from the scripts and roles handed to us. We may think we are living the life we want, only to realize, often much later, that we’ve missed out on the things that truly matter.

Filipina actress Rhian Ramos is no stranger to this slow revelation. Having entered the entertainment industry unexpectedly at a young age, she has learned over time that the key to happiness isn’t just about fulfilling roles handed to you but about taking the time to discover what truly sparks joy. In this new chapter of her life, Rhian reflects on her evolving career, personal growth, and the importance of living authentically, even if it means stepping off the fast track.

Rhian Ramos_Gen-Z Magazine_Em Baun — _{Suit by: Ercia Aguila | Shot on location: Revel At The Palace | Photo by: Em Baun}

‘Everything Fell into Place’

Like many kids, Rhian grew up glued to the screen, watching performers convey emotions and tell stories that made her dream of being in their shoes. Inspired by shows like Saturday Night Live, she even fantasized about doing comedy sketches or making it to Hollywood. Fate, it seemed, had such plans in mind. What started as a McDonald’s commercial has turned into a big break, paving the way for a flourishing career as an actress, model, singer, and host.

“It just happened,” Rhian recalls, still in awe of the serendipity. At the last minute, she got the call, showed up in her school uniform, and—despite being in her “tomboy phase” of baggy pants and black clothes—booked the gig. That one ad opened the door to her first major role as the leading lady in Captain Barbell opposite Richard Gutierrez.

It wasn’t all smooth sailing. Rhian admits she struggled with the Filipino language in the early days. “Nabubulol pa ako,” she laughs, remembering her difficulty with fluency. But she persisted, dedicating three years to mastering the language, and soon, one project led to another. By the time she looked up, she was no longer a high schooler on summer break but a household name. The once-dreaming teenager had become someone her peers grew up watching on TV.

Of course, like anyone thrust into a world they’re still learning to navigate, Rhian had her share of struggles. “There was definitely culture shock,” she says, remembering her early days on set. “I remember the first time getting yelled at by my director—and I can’t believe that just happened! I was like, ‘I’m going back to school.’ Parang ganun.” But for every challenge, there was a silver lining. Despite the pressures, Rhian recalls having been positively welcomed and treated by the people around her since she started working, not to mention the thrill that came with receiving her first paycheck at such a young age: “I felt like, wow, I’m such a boss. I get paid!”

‘I Didn’t Know What I Wanted My Career to Become’

For a long time, Rhian admits, she didn’t have a clear direction for her career—zero plans and no strategy at all. “I really didn’t know what I wanted my career to become.” She was booked for tapings, handed scripts, and simply followed the lead of the adults around her. It worked for a while—until it didn’t.

In 2019, Rhian decided to take a much-needed break. She left the country and spent over six months in New York. It was during this time, away from the whirlwind of showbiz, that she finally had the space to reflect. “I spoke to a lot of my co-actors who are my age and started so young. We had these conversations where I’d say, ‘Did you ever feel like the age you entered showbiz was the age you froze at? Parang hindi ka naging adult?'” And it was not an isolated case. Having been guided on how to navigate the world of entertainment, many things were left to the adults to do the planning and making big decisions.

Rhian Ramos personal growth and resilience_Gen-Z Features — _{Dress by: Angela Taloza | Shot on location: Revel At The Palace | Photo by: Em Baun}

“I never saw myself as the driver of my career until I left,” Rhian revealed. Since she was 15, there had always been people guiding her—making sure she got to the set on time, driving her, packing her clothes, and negotiating her next project. But when she stepped away and took a breather, she started to figure out what it meant to take care of herself. “It was my first time ever cooking for myself, doing my own dishes, and making sure my rent was paid.”

Everything felt like a crash course in adulting. And while it was overwhelming at first, it was also transformative.

“I loved it. It was actually exhilarating—and I felt like it changed me in so many ways. Like, I had some realization that being polite isn’t always being honest, and I think I value honesty more.”

‘An Investment of Who I Want to Be’

As Rhian evolved personally, so did her approach to her career. No longer content with simply following along, she began to take a more intentional approach to the projects she took on. “That’s when I decided I’m gonna be mindful of what projects to do and where I spend my time and energy. I need to make sure that it’s sustainable. Also, like, don’t drive yourself so tired to the ground anymore because it sucks the passion out of what you’re doing.”

Early in her career, Rhian recognized that pleasing those around her seemed like part of the job as a celebrity. But over time, she reached a pivotal realization: she needed to start making decisions based on her own vision for her career. “Acting was exciting and fun—until I started viewing it purely as a business. I began measuring my work by the money I made each week, and that felt unsustainable. You need to feel fulfilled, inspired. You need a reason to be passionate about a project. Does the story resonate with you on a personal level? That’s what matters.”

Eventually, Rhian found herself feeling disconnected from her work. Though she was grateful for the opportunities, her passion was fading. “I would come to work and just count down the hours until pack-up.” She felt that the characters she played lacked a deeper purpose—they weren’t teaching anything, representing the culture, or carrying any real meaning.

This newfound clarity helped Rhian establish herself, but it came at a cost. “I started turning things down,” she admits.

“I definitely paid the price, but my mindset had changed. I saw it as an investment in who I want to be. Yes, I might lose money, but I have to view it as an investment in myself because this is a new era for me.”

‘This is Where I Wanted to Be’

That investment has since paid off. Rhian’s funny and raw skits on social media are a testament to her joy and creativity, allowing her to connect with fans in new, lighthearted ways. “I’m an open book,” she says. I’m not the perfect person for everyone but I feel like my tribe gets me—and it attracts like-minded people.”

However, despite her openness, Rhian remains mindful of how her content might affect others. “Humor varies from person to person,” she says, explaining why she asks others to review her posts to ensure they’re not offensive or hurtful. “I also don’t want to overshare things that might bother or make a loved one uncomfortable. I value not just my own privacy, but the privacy of those around me. So, I have to make sure I’m a good secret keeper for them.”

Though she admits to breaking some rules—like when her mom disapproved of her posting sexy photos—she sees it as part of staying true to herself. “Over time, my mom has learned to accept it,” she adds with a laugh. To protect her mental health, Rhian also takes breaks from social media, even though the algorithm pushes for consistency.

“I don’t pressure myself. My tribe understands the importance of taking a step back.”

With ongoing projects like Royal Blood, Pulang Araw, and now Sang’gre, Rhian feels fulfilled with the roles she’s been given—roles she’s long dreamed of. “I think this is where I wanted to be,” she reflects, grateful for the challenging characters that allow her to grow as an actor. “These roles have so many layers, like an onion,” she says, expressing her gratitude to GMA and the writers for trusting her with such complexity. “It’s very fulfilling now because I’m excited every day when I go to work. I’m happy. I’m relaxed—not like before when I was stressing myself out, unsure how to pull the scene off.”

Now, Rhian feels more confident and content on set, no longer counting the hours until pack-up.

“I enjoy my job, and I’m happy to be here.”

‘Go Live Your Life the Way You Want To”

While Rhian’s journey may seem smooth, it hasn’t been without its struggles. Having been in the spotlight since she was 15, she’s had to deal with judgment and criticism. “You have to get used to being judged,” she admits. It took a lot of time for her because there were so many stages of dealing with people’s opinions, especially with Twitter where people become more vocal and somehow irresponsible in how they say things in their posts.

But instead of letting negativity bring her down, Rhian learned to regain her confidence. “I realized I don’t need to be perfect to be appreciated.” She’s grown resilient, and able to shrug off harsh comments. When people aren’t accepting, she reminds herself that she has been called worse. The more she cared, the more fuel it gave critics. “It’s like they can smell fear. People are intuitive—they do it on purpose.”

Thankfully, Rhian believes social media has evolved. “I think people are a little more tender, mindful about the way they speak. Plus, we have laws now.”

With her fair share of criticism, Rhian has learned to distinguish between constructive feedback and noise. “Some people just say things for the sake of it.” Now, for her, honesty matters the most—so she stays focused on what’s helpful.

“Think about it. Live your life the way you want to. Grow into the best you possible.”

With such a disposition, Rhian has embraced new opportunities that align with her vision of where she wants to be. Currently working on Sang’gre, she’s excited to return to the world of fantasy drama, almost a decade after Captain Barbell. For someone often cast as the damsel in distress, she’s eager to take on strong female roles.

Beyond her acting career, Rhian is stepping further into the world of business. While she’s already dipped her toes into ventures like her Grab healthy food service and accessories line, she’s eager to dive deeper. The pandemic made her realize how reliant she had become on her acting income. Although she loves saving, she understands that it’s time to invest and build something beyond acting. “What have I been doing for the past 15 years without a fallback?” she reflects. Venturing into entrepreneurship now feels like the next step toward securing her future.