Director Wenn Deramas, a certified Box-Office Director in Philippine Entertainment, mentioned Dara in an interview about Toni Gonzaga, one of Philippines’ popular actresses and a multimedia celebrity.

Excerpts from the interview state:

During the pictorial for the series, which is a follow up to 2007’s hit teleserye Kokey, Direk Wenn said that he believes Toni has a unique talent for comedy.

“Naramdaman ko ‘yun nung ginawa namin ‘yung [Precious Hearts Romances presents] Ang Lalaking Nagmahal Sa Akin. Bilang comedy director kasi nakahanap na ako ng isang Ai-Ai de las Alas.  Pero sa youngerbatch iilan pa lang ang nakikita kong babaeng may perfect timing sa comedy. Dati nakita ko si Jolina (Magdangal), tapos si Sandara (Park), ngayon naman si Toni.Hindi kasi lahat ng artista meron nun. Kaya sobra akong masaya na siya ang gaganap na dito sa Kokey at Ako bilang comedy ang tema nitong teleserye.” Direk Wenn also worked with Toni on the movie Ang Tanging Pamilya.

English Translation: During the pictorial for the series, which is a follow up to 2007’s hit teleserye Kokey, Direk Wenn said that he believes Toni has a unique talent for comedy. “I felt that when we made [Precious Hearts Romances presents] Ang Lalaking Nagmahal Sa Akin (The Man Who Loved Me).  As a Comedy Director, I already discovered THE Ai-Ai dela Alas.  But among the younger batch, I only see very few actresses with perfect timing in comedy.  Before, I noticed Jolina(Magdangal), then Sandara (Park), and now, Toni. Not all actresses have that. That’s why I’m very happy that she’ll be the one starring in Kokey at Ako (Kokey and I) which is a comedy.” Direk Wenn also worked with Toni on the movie, Ang Tanging Pamilya.

Director Wenn Deramas directed the movie, D’Lucky Ones, which starred Sandara back in April 2006.

This isn’t the first time that Dara has been praised for her acting skills or professionalism.

Back in 2006, Sandara also starred in the movie, “Super Noypi” directed by Quark Henares. She was casted alongside mostly GMA 7 stars she hasn’t worked with before said movie and a few actors from her then home network, ABS-CBN.

Perhaps it’s safe to say that Super Noypi offered a lot of firsts for Dara back then. First time working with actors from her then home network’s rival station.  First time to star as a character with supernatural powers in a movie. First time to strike it on her own… without a love team.

And as she said in one interview, she likes it better that way. 🙂

But I digress… 😉

Director Quark Henares blogged about Sandara sometime in 2006 after the release of the movie. He says, “… in fairness, however, I think that only Jao, Monsour and my new favorite actress, SParky knew what the film really was or what the film was going to be.” This is in response to a blog critique of his then newly released film, Super Noypi. (SParky is Sandara Park; Jao (Jao Mapa) and Monsour (Monsour Del Rosario)- both part of the movie, Super Noypi)

He also went on to defend her when someone bashed her in his site, saying,“hey man, don’t diss the SParky, she’s the best thing in that ****** movie, and from now on, I think I will cast her in all my films, nyahahaha”

Polo Ravales, who played her brother in the movie was interviewed about Dara back then and said, “She’s very professional and an excellent co-star… She has perfect comic timing. Ang galing-galing talaga niya! Kahit tapos na ang take, tawa pa rin kami nang tawa.”

English Translation: “She’s very professional and an excellent co-star… She has perfect comic timing.  She’s really really good! Even after the shoot, we still kept on laughing.”

***

Fast forward to present time, Dara is now one of the four fiercesome members of 2NE1, tagged as an ace member and a trendsetter by Korean media.

But aside from her being part of 2NE1, most of us, fans, are also highly anticipating Dara’s big acting debut in Korea.

There are  rumors floating around about the possibility of Dara being cast alongside Lee Seung Gi in the Drama, My Girlfriend is a Gumiho.  And we can only hope it’s true. For as of now, nothing final’s been announced yet.

One thing’s for sure though… Dara, the actress, is highly anticipated.

Who wants to see her in a drama soon? I know I do.

Credits: ABS-CBN Showbuzz Feature + ABS-CBN Kapamilya Aficionado + Director Quark Henares @ LiveJournal + Manila Bulletin

Researchers: Mademoiselle Deshi and Ambassador Lee