Czarina Faith Abuso

Gillian Vicencio reflects on acting journey after workshop with Oscar-winning actress Melissa Leo

Article (news)

Nikka Avegail Sabio

Push Team

<p>Following a one-of-a-kind acting workshop experience, Kapamilya actress Gillian Vicencio took to social media to reflect on her journey in the industry and the unexpected path that led her to acting.</p><p>On her Instagram page, Gillian shared how she never imagined herself pursuing a career in front of the camera when she was younger.</p><p>“I never really thought about acting when I was young. The first time I got exposed to it was in Grade 5. In our school before, we would always put up a play- A<em> Midsummer Night&#x27;s Dream</em>. Back then, I wanted to audition for a fairy role. Something light. Just dancing on stage because I already had stage fright. Tsaka ayun kasi yung role na ’cool’ before,” Gillian opened up.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:660px;display:block" width="660"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781439778128jillian.JPG" style="width:660px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="660"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Photo Credit to @Gillian Vicencio on Instagram </em></span></span></span></div><p>Encouraged by her adviser, Gillian eventually auditioned for the play. While she did not land her preferred role, she still earned a spot in the production.</p><p> “I didn&#x27;t even get the fairy role I originally wanted kasi na-fill na lahat ng roles. I ended up as an elf.. There I was on stage, nginig na nginig, because of stage fright. But I did it,” she added.</p><p> Years later, Gillian was introduced to commercial work during high school, a chapter she said helped her overcome some of her fears while supporting her family.</p><p>“At first, I was still skeptical. I still had that fear of facing people. But I also needed to help my family. And slowly, I started to realize — lahat naman kami umaarte sa harap ng isa&#x27;t isa, bakit ba ako natatakot? That thought stayed with me,” she said.</p><p>“So I did commercials for around four years. I did quite a few. And I&#x27;m still grateful for that chapter because it helped me provide for my family in my own small way, and it slowly built my confidence,” she continued.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-13" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DZSVs-mAca5/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=485&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A13%2C%22os%22%3A9137986.69999981%2C%22ls%22%3A152362.60000038147%2C%22le%22%3A152632.10000038147%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1085" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-13" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>A major turning point came when she auditioned for a horror film through an open casting call. Although hesitant at first, Gillian decided to take the chance after receiving encouragement from her mother.</p><p> “Then a big opportunity came. There was an open casting call for a horror film. Again, I hesitated. That world felt different. More intense. More unfamiliar. And I was scared again. But my mom told me, ’Minsan lang dumating ang opportunity. Subukan mo lang.’ So I did. I auditioned. I got the role,” Gillian said.</p><p> The project turned out to be the 2018 horror film <em>Eerie</em>, starring Charo Santos and Bea Alonzo, where Gillian portrayed student Erika.</p><p>“That project introduced me to my very first acting coach, my first real mentor. And through him, something in me started to shift,” she shared. </p><p>“Maybe acting is not just something I do. Maybe it&#x27;s something I&#x27;m meant to do,” Gillian realized. </p><p>As she continued taking on different roles, Gillian realized acting allowed her to better understand people and their stories.</p><p> “Maybe through acting, I can show the world that every person has a story. That every person is carrying something unseen. That every person deserves to be understood, not judged. And that kindness and respect can begin with simply seeing someone fully,” she expressed.</p><p> Her passion for acting further deepened after participating in a workshop led by Melissa Leo, organized by the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP). Joining her were fellow up and coming Star Magic actors Robbie Jaworski, Krystal Mejes, Miguel Vergara, Reich Alim, and Marc Santiago, along with talents from Sparkle GMA, Star Worx, and Aktor PH.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-14" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DYOmofMlF_7/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=485&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A14%2C%22os%22%3A9138791.30000019%2C%22ls%22%3A152362.60000038147%2C%22le%22%3A152632.10000038147%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="871" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-14" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><p>“Just last month, I joined an acting workshop with Ms. Melissa Leo, and something she said stayed with me: ’Acting is an ancient healing art.’ That line stayed. Because it made sense of everything I had been feeling but didn&#x27;t know how to say. Maybe acting is not just performance. Maybe it&#x27;s healing. For myself. And for others,” she reflected.</p><p> Gillian went on: “And looking back now, that one decision I made to audition for that horror film even when I was scared might be one of the best decisions I&#x27;ve ever made in my life.”</p><div style="text-align:center"> <span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:660px;display:block" width="660"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1781439912970jj.JPG" style="width:660px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" width="660"/><span class="fr-inner"><em>Photo Credit to @Gillian Vicencio on Instagram</em></span></span></span></div><p>The actress then thanked the organization and Star Magic for the opportunity even after years he started her career in the industry.</p><p>“Maybe purpose doesn’t start with certainty. Maybe it starts with fear. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng naging parte ng journey ko hanggang ngayon. Salamat sa tiwala at oportunidad, @starmagicphils @fdcpofficial @festfilmlab ✨,” she wrote.</p>

<p><b>Gillian Vicencio is grateful for the workshop experience with Oscar-winning actress Melissa Leo.</b></p>

Gillian Vicencio is grateful for the workshop experience with Oscar-winning actress Melissa Leo.

Gillian Vicencio reflects on acting journey after workshop with Oscar-winning actress Melissa Leo: 'One of the best decisions I've ever made in my life'

Gillian Vicencio reflects on acting journey after workshop with Oscar-winning actress Melissa Leo: 'One of the best decisions I've ever made in my life'

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Sudoku

Word of the Day

Lotto

Horoscope

Celebrities

Gillian Vicencio reflects on acting journey after workshop with Oscar-winning actress Melissa Leo: 'One of the best decisions I've ever made in my life'

Nikka Sabio,

Push Team

Published June 14, 2026 08:27 PM PHT

Read More:

Gillian Vicencio

Melissa Leo

acting workshop

FDCP

PUSH

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2026 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.