Despite being the youngest, Stephen Robles was still pressured to make end meets and decided to head to Manila to pursue her career in acting. “Ako po, hinanap ko po ‘yung gusto ko sa buhay. Kaya napunta po ako ng Manila at nagpakasakali po ako na dito ko mahahanap ‘yung gusto kong mangayari sa buhay ko, ‘yung pangarap ko po,” she elaborated.
She mentioned that Vilma Santos is her idol, and gave a sample of her portraying the role of Darna.
When Stephen found out that there was an opening for a dancer for the hit noontime show It’s Showtime, she did not let the opportunity pass her by. “Nag-try po ako na mag-audition. Nag-antay po ako ng one month, ganun. So natawagan ako nung mga June,” she narrated.
Stephen also spoke fondly of host Ryan Bang and admitted that she found him attractive. “Kasi po ‘pag nakita mo po si Ryan iba po ang dating niya sa’yo. Parang nakakapang-good vibes siya,” she said blushing.
Stephen’s mother, Evangeline Robles, joined the show and emphasized how challenging it was raising five children as a single parent. At one moment, Stephen couldn’t not help but turn emotional as she recalled how difficult life was back then. “Kasi po bata pa lang ako, alam ko na ang hirap ng buhay. At sabi ko kay Mama, kahit anong mangyari, nandito lang ako para sumoporta sa kanila. Kasi alam ko po ‘yung hirap na pinagdaanan ni Mama.” she tearfully said.
With all the hard work her daughter has done, Evangeline said that she is happy with the outcome, and added that she is proud of what Stephen has become. “Masayang-masaya siyempre po. Tsaka proud po ako sa anak ko, dahil kahit anong hirap po talagang itinuloy at pinursue niya ang career niya”.
Stephen also talked about her then estranged father and disclosed that the reason why she decided to look for him. “Siyempre po, mahirap po na every time na makakita ako ng mga buo na pamilya, tapos kasama ‘yung tatay nila, ‘yung parang natatanong ko din sa sarili ko.. ‘Paano kaya kung may tatay ako?’”, she explained. She further elaborated that she searched for her father online, who now resides in the States, and said that they are now in touch with each other. Stephen admitted that they have yet to meet each other in person, but hopes that they will in the future. Like Evangeline, Stephen said that her father is also proud of her achievements and even watches her onscreen from time to time. She also underscored the lessons she learned in the process of meeting her father, which is to never give up. “’Wag mong sukuan ‘yung isang bagay na gusto mo talagang mangyari.” she shared.
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