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EXCLUSIVE: Aya Fernandez shares why she has no plans to return to the beauty pageant circuit

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Rhea Manila Santos

After representing the country in the Miss Tourism International pageant in in 2018, beauty queen-turned-actress Aya Fernandez said that she has no plans to return to the beauty pageant circuit anytime soon.“To be crowned as one of the 50th Mutya ng Pilipinas queens was an empowering and fulfilling journey. I was able given a platform to reach out to communities and speak on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves. Also, the Filipino pageant fans and community are really uplifting and are the best! In fact, I’m very grateful that until now ang dami sa kanila sinusundan pa rin ako hanggang ngayon. Sobrang nakaka-overwhelm ang suporta at pagmamahal.“And to represent the Philippines in the Miss Tourism International in 2018 and carry our rich heritage and culture, and to be a spokesperson for the causes that I strongly believe in were an impactful experience. Although my purpose has never changed, the path towards it might do and so I think I have no plans yet of joining another pageant any time soon,” she told PUSH in an exclusive interview. <div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/10/25/videos/viral-scandal-cast-ibinahagi-ang-viral-moments-na-196526">WATCH: </a><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/10/25/videos/viral-scandal-cast-ibinahagi-ang-viral-moments-na-196526">Viral Scandal cast, ibinahagi ang viral moments na nangyari sa kanila</a></div>As part of the cast of the upcoming drama series Viral Scandal, Aya revealed how she felt when she was given the role.“Aaminin ko I got really scared and nervous after reading through it. I will play the role of Ella Montecillo, currently a breast cancer patient who is terminally ill undergoing therapy. Pagpasok ko sa kwento, may dala-dala po akong plot twist na sana abangan po talaga ng lahat kung ano ‘yun. Before Ella got sick, she was part of Markus Paterson’s role, Jigs Ramones’s barkada and I was known to be a “party girl and “It” girl until I was victimized by Jigs at pinutol ko ang connection ko sa lahat ng tao,” she shared.While doing lock-in taping for the show, Aya saidshe was grateful for another memorable acting project.“Mabigat man ang kwento or yung role na dala-dala ko, sobrang gaan ng energy sa set at ng mga tao sa lock-in taping. Kaya nagiging madali ‘yung pagbanlaw or pag ‘pagpag’ sa character ko kasi isang chikahan lang with any of them, boom! Parang magic, masaya na ulit ako and back to normal.Aside from the COVID scare, I guess the hardest part is to keep my mental health stable because sometimes I feel like playing this role is taking a toll on me. For me I find it difficult to handle anger and pain every taping day, but then again sobrang nagpapasalamat ako sa guidance from our directors and the other cast. The best part of the lock-in taping for me would always be having the honor to work with very talented artists and directors, and also not to mention, with great veteran actors as well. Nakakahawa kasi ‘yung ganong klase ng passion and energy, and I am very grateful for that,” she said.<div><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/10/22/fresh-scoops/dimples-romana-pays-tribute-to-pinoy-ofws-in-new-s-196469">READ: </a><a href="https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/10/22/fresh-scoops/dimples-romana-pays-tribute-to-pinoy-ofws-in-new-s-196469">Dimples Romana pays tribute to Pinoy OFWs in new series ‘Viral Scandal’</a></div>Having enjoyed her stint in the long-running series FPJ’s Ang Probinsyano earlier this year, Aya shared what she has learned working with actor and director Coco Martin.“Although it was just a couple of months of lock-in taping in Ang Probinsyano, napakaraming nangyari! Experiences that are one for the books and I’ll never forget. What I miss the most are the people there I had the great opportunity to work with and learned from. Going six years of shooting na sila ng serye, so just imagine how much wisdom they have had from that. Also, there was never a day na hindi ako tumawa at nabusog. We even had days where we workout together, kaming lahat. It’s really the camaraderie that I miss the most. Working with Coco is like 3-in-1 na kape: he is your co-actor, director, and mentor. I will always honor the things that he has taught me. I am really grateful because he is the type to intentionally talk to you and allot time to be able to teach you valuable things – from technical and acting techniques, to how to go about in the show business industry,” she recalled.The 22-year-old actress and beauty queen also talked about her Ang Probinsyano co-star Jane De Leon who was also one of the new additions to the series this year and is set to star in the much awaited reboot of the Pinoy superhero series Darna.“With Jane, I am excited for her for Darna! Malapit na malapit na ‘yan at sana suportahan at abangan ito ng mga tao. Most especially, the producers of Darna are same producers of my first teleserye, Ang Sa Iyo Ay Akin, sina Ms. JRB and so that means definitely keen and high standard of production at kalidad na materyal,” she added.

Beauty queen turned actress Aya Fernandez looks forward to her new teleserye ‘Viral Scandal.’