Camille Prats is not a homegrown Kapuso, but she has become a loyal artist of the network since she moved to GMA-7 in 2005.
She started her career in ABS-CBN in 1992 as part of ABS-CBN Talent Center (now Star Magic).
She recalls during her PEP Spotlight interview, “Iyong career ko, 18 pababa—which is like my childhood era—was spent with ABS.
“The other half of it—which is my adult life—sa GMA ko naman lahat nagawa iyong mga proyektong iyon.”
Camille says she will never forget how the network, apart from taking care of her career, helped her get through a personal crisis in 2007.
In her own words: “Dito rin nangyari sa akin when Nathan happened to me, and when I found out I was pregnant and I had to start a family at the age of 22.
“GMA was there with me and tinulungan nila ako kung paano ko mashi-share at maisasapubliko iyong nangyari sa akin na iyon.
“If you remember, nauna munang nangyari na nabuntis ako, di ba, bago ako nag-asawa?"
At that time, Camille was getting known as a prime Kapuso drama actress, and as they say in showbiz, getting pregnant is the ultimate career killer.
Worse for her then, she was stuck with the image of the innocent Sarah… Ang Munting Prinsesa, the lead role she played in the 1995 movie that catapulted her to child superstar status.
Camille continues, “So siyempre, that wasn’t really an easy revelation for me.
“Kasi growing up na ako si Princess Sarah, parang pakiramdam ko meron akong responsibilidad na ang ipapakita ko lang ay iyong mabubuti, hindi ako puwede magkamali.
“So noong time na nangyari iyon and I learned I was pregnant, ang daming mga tao around me telling me to hide my pregnancy, na itago na lang, na pumunta sa ibang bansa.
“Kunyari mag-aaral pero huwag na lang isapubliko kasi sayang ang career.
“It’s always about the career, di ba, na kapag nagkaanak ka na, katapusan na iyon ng career mo?"
But contrary to expectations, Camille already had a project waiting for her after giving birth to Nathan in 2008.
She relates, “GMA was kind enough. They made me feel na hindi ganun ang dapat na isipin ko sa sarili ko.
“So after giving birth, umuwi ako sa Pilipinas, and they gave me a project right away.”
Also, Camille and the father of her firstborn, the late Anthony Linsangan, would eventually get married.
Camille’s comeback project was the afternoon drama series Gaano Kadalas Ang Minsan with Diana Zubiri and Marvin Agustin.
A remake of the 1982 movie, Camille portrayed the role of Vilma Santos in the movie.
The project became a top-rater in that timeslot.
Camille realizes, “Hindi naging hadlang iyon [pagiging nanay] kasi dati, parang feeling ko nga sobra akong blessed na doon din nangyari iyong transition na kahit nanay ka na, puwede ka pang magkaroon ng career.
“Kasi dati di ba, wala na, parang katapusan mo na talaga so parang I’m really grateful for that.
“It was because of GMA’s opportunity na binigyan pa rin nila ako ng chance na hindi dapat maging hadlang ang pagiging isang nanay para magawa mo pa rin iyong mahal mong gawin which is iyong umarte.”
Camille is also thankful that the network has tapped her as host of the talk show Mars Pa More, enabling her to show her mettle outside acting.
She happily tells PEP.ph, “I really can’t be thankful enough kaya iyong loyalty na ipinapakita ko sa GMA, maliit na bagay lang iyon kumpara sa dami ng opportunity na binigay nila sa akin.
“I’m really grateful to be where I am now, to be doing the things that GMA has been giving me.
“Kung anumang projects sobrang grateful talaga ako and I plan to be a Kapuso until I am still welcome and hanggang gusto pa nila ako na maging parte ng kanilang network, I will always be a loyal Kapuso.”
Watch Camille’s full PEP Spotlight interview soon on PEP.ph’s Facebook and YouTube channels.
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