Melissa Ricks says Kambal Sa Uma is the break she's been waiting for Author: Napoleon Quintos As Kambal Sa Uma continues to dominate afternoon TV ratings, lead star Melissa Ricks could not be happier with the success of the teleserye. "I'm so happy na mataas ang ratings ng show namin. I feel so blessed na naging part ako ng success ng show," she told ABS-CBN.com during the Kapamilya Trade Launch last April 30 at NBC Tent. Melissa also said that the show's high ratings is somehow the reward for the difficulties she endured from the prosthetics she wears as she plays the role of a half-human, half-rat. " May mga nagtatanong sa akin kung gaano katagal ginagawa 'yung prosthetics. Kahit mahirap siya nakakatulong naman nang malaki sa character. Kapag naka-prosthetics ako ang hirap lumingon kasi nakadikit siya sa buong batok ko. Pero worth it naman." Many pretty young actresses have taken the risk of looking ugly in front of the camera and later on earning praises for their remarkable acting. Anne Curtis played a hunchback in the teleserye Kampanerang Kuba while Bea Alonzo portrayed the role of the ugly but smart secretary in I Love Betty La Fea. Knowing that viewers will be looking at her acting more than her beauty, 19-year-old Melissa is feeling the pressure as she portrays her character Ella in Kambal Sa Uma. "This is the first time for me na mag-try na naka-prosthetics. Hindi na pa-cute or kikay 'yung role na gagampanan ko. Dramatic acting talaga ang gagawin ko. Sobrang pressure na ang nararamdaman ko ngayon pero I try to do my best." Melissa also shared that she has a friendly working relationship with Shaina Magdayao who plays her long lost twin sister in the teleserye. "We're very okay ni Shaina. Nag-work na kami before sa Rounin. 'Yung comfortable working relationship sa aming dalawa nandun na agad." As for Melissa and her ka-love team Matt Evans who is also in Kambal Sa Uma, their love story has yet to be established. For now, Melissa has only shot most of her scenes with other cast members Jason Abalos, Jordan Herrera, and Carlo Guevara. "It's nice to do something new, to work do scenes with other actors, hindi lang si Matt ' yung lagi kong kasama. Working with other actors mas lumalawak 'yung acting ability ko, hindi naka-base lang lagi kay Matt." Kambal Sa Uma marks Melissa's first lead role in a teleserye, and for this Star Circle Quest alum, having the chance to top-bill a high-rating teleserye is something she has been waiting for for a long time. Although many would place her in the ranks of drama princesses like Bea Alonzo, Anne, Kim Chiu, and Angel Locsin, Melissa told ABS-CBN.com that status is not that important to her. " Naku naman. Wish ko lang (laughs). Hindi ko na iniisip 'yun. Ang importante is may trabaho ako. Matagal ko rin namang hinintay 'yung ganito kalaking break ever since nag-start ako sa SCQ. Kung ano ang ibinibigay sa akin tinatanggap ko. Hindi ako namimili ng role. Kahit ano ang ibato sa akin tinatanggap ko, kahit kontrabida. Mas gusto ko ngang mag-kontrabida." Celebrate the success of Kambal Sa Uma with one of its stars, Melissa Ricks. Text MELISSA ON to 2366. Available to Philippine residents only. Source: ABS-CBN Interactive | 
