Ashley Sarmiento Of “Flordeliza” Fame Joins Sparkle Teens

Ashley Sarmiento reveals planned reunion with “Flordeliza” co-star Rhed Bustamante

Child actress Ashley Sarmiento, who first had a taste of fame in ABS-CBN’s afternoon drama series “Flordeliza,” takes a second shot at her career.

She is now part of the recently launched Sparkle Teens, the new group of GMA-7’s talent management arm, Sparkle (formerly GMA Artist Center).

Prior to being part of the group, Sarmiento had already transferred to the Kapuso network in 2020 and has already taken part in several Kapuso shows.

When Sarmiento spoke to FreebieMNL and other entertainment reporters during the press launch for Sparkle Teens last April, Sarmiento admits that she did not think she will have a second shot at her career as a teenager.

She says, “Actually po, unexpected po itong Sparkle Teens. Dumating din po yung time ng pandemic na iniisip ko na po kung magkaka-project pa rin po ba ako. Pero since pandemic nga po noon, bawal pa po kami magtrabaho.”

At the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, minors were not allowed yet to work as per the restrictions of the Department of Labor and Employment.

Ashley Sarmiento Sparkle Teens
Ashley Sarmiento

But as restrictions eased, Sarmiento found her way to finally becoming a full-fledged Kapuso, being part of the afternoon series “Nakarehas Na Puso,” headlined by Jean Garcia, Vaness del Moral, Claire Castro, and Edgar Allan Guzman.

She says about this, “Super honored po ako na yung first teleserye ko is napakagaling na artista po yung mga kasama ko.”

Sarmiento is thankful to GMA-7 for having her as part of the 19 teens who were launched as the network’s future superstars.

She says, “Really happy and glad na part po ako ng Sparkle Teens kasi this is another opportunity po for me and for us, and thankful po ako na pinagkatiwalaan po ako. Excited na po ako.”

However, she admits there is also pressure with the next step of her career. “Siyempre po, nakaka-pressure po talaga. Lahat naman po kami, nape-pressure dito, pero excited po kami kasi ito na po yun, kailangan lang ipagpatuloy namin yung best namin.”

READ ALSO: Meet The Sparkle Teens: GMA-7’s Promising Young Stars

“Flordeliza” throwback

In 2014, Ashley Sarmiento headlined the ABS-CBN afternoon campy series, “Flordeliza,” with Rhed Bustamante.

The series was directed by the late Wenn V. Deramas, with Sarmiento playing the kindhearted Flor and Bustamante as the brat Liza.

The series is known for its campy and entertaining fight scenes between the two children and their respective mothers, played by Jolina Magdangal and Desiree del Valle.

It has been nine years since the series ended, but it seems like the show had a timeless appeal as it continues to become viral on TikTok with a speed-up version!

Sarmiento says about this, “Actually, nakakagulat din po siya kasi ang tagal na po noon pero bigla po siyang nag-trending. Very funny po and nakakatuwa lang po na napapansin pa rin po kami ng mga tao.”

As for the two leads, Sarmiento says she has maintained her friendship with Bustamante.

She says, “Actually, nagpa-plan po kami na magkita pero di lang po matuluy-tuloy. Ang tagal na po naming pinaplano, gusto po naming i-recreate yung mga eksena namin, naka-speed up din!”

Ashley Sarmiento
Rhed Bustamante and Ashley Sarmiento during their “Flordeliza” days

Ashley Sarmiento’s future

Looking back at her career, Ashley Sarmiento admits that her showbiz journey was not easy.

Hindi po siya naging madali, marami pong rejections, marami pong bashers. Pero yung rejections po, normal naman po yun, as long as nagawa niyo yung best niyo. Inisip ko na lang po, kapag di ako nakuha, may mas magandang dadating.

Sa bashers naman po, normal na po yun, e. So, dati po, naaapektuhan po ako pero nasanay na rin po kaya na-realize ko lang po na mas importante and mas mahalaga po yung mga taong nagmamahal sa akin.”

Now, with a new chapter as a Sparkle Teen, Ashley Sarmiento is very much looking forward to improving her craft.

She says, “Hindi naman po ako nag-stop mag-learn. Nanunuod po ako during the pandemic, nanunuod po ako ng mga movies ‘tapos tina-try ko rin po silang gayahin.

“Active rin po kasi ako sa social media kaya po nalibang naman po ako but now that I’m here, ipapagpatuloy ko lang po yung best ko and will make everyone proud.”

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