Filipino-Danish teen sensation Carren Eistrup got emotional when she recalled her first day as dabarkad (friend) in the longest-running noontime program “Eat Bulaga” on GMA Network.
“I’m scared of bashers. Noong first day ko sa ‘Eat Bulaga,’ umiyak po ako sa dressing room kasi I was disappointed in myself kasi feeling ko I didn’t do great. Feeling ko kasi hindi ko naipasa yung expectations ng mga tao,” said Carren, during her first media conference in Quezon City on Valentine’s Day.
(I’m scared of bashers. On my first day on ‘Eat Bulaga,’ I cried in the dressing room because I was disappointed in myself. I felt like I didn’t do great. I felt like I didn’t pass the expectations of the people.)
“They told me panoorin ko ang sarili ko sa TV para malaman mo kung saan yung mga mali ko and kung saan yung dapat ma-improve. But it was my first day so accepted naman. Dapat masanay na ako sa flow nila. Gusto ko talagang matuto sa Eat Bulaga tulad sa hosting. Sobrang ad-lib po talaga nila as in,” she said.
(They told me to watch myself on TV so I will know where my mistakes are and where I need to improve. But it was my first day so it was accepted. I should get used to their flow. I really want to learn from Eat Bulaga like hosting. They really ad-lib as in.)
Following weeks of challenges on acting, dancing and singing, Carren was declared champion of “Bida Next” competition on “Eat Bulaga” last Feb. 4. It automatically made her the latest addition to the growing EB family.
(On Feb. 5, my first day as dabarkad, they gave me a cake because it was also my birthday. I was a little nervous on my first day because it’s a new environment and I’m still adjusting. They gave me pieces of advice like Ate Ryzza (Mae Dizon). She said I may react. I can also talk to the writers and ad lib.)
Carren also said that fans call her Miley Cyrus of the Philippines because of her similarities with the Hollywood star. And she doesn’t mind it.
“Noon pa nila sinasabi na kamukha ko raw si Miley Cyrus. I really appreciate it sa mga nagsabi na kamukha ko nga raw siya kasi it gives me an advantage na pinapansin ako ng mga tao. Pero sinabi ko rin noon na I want to have my own image na kilalanin ako ng mga tao as me,” she explained.
(Back then they said that I look like Miley Cyrus. I really appreciate it when they say I look like her because it gives me an advantage that people pay attention to me. But I also said then that I want to have my own image.)
Now that she’s joining showbiz, Carren said that she will never neglect her studies. Right now she’s in Grade 9 and she also dreams of becoming an interior designer or a businesswoman in the future. “I don’t have a boyfriend. Study first and career.”
“For Carren naman, we’re aligning everything with ‘Eat Bulaga.’ As you all know, ang galing ng ‘Bulaga’ na mag pasikat ng artists. So for now we’re aligning our schedules and plans with ‘Bulaga.’ We had a meeting already, we will first do the album of Carren kasi she’s a singer talaga. Tapos gusto namin ma-hone pa yung talent niya. She’s just 14. She will still go a long way. Then siguro yung acting will come in later. Endorsements we’re looking at also. Pero si Carren magte-training pa rin siya kahit singer siya. May dance, acting. Lahat yun ibibigay sa kanya ng Merlion and ng APT Entertainment. Mabait po si Carren. That I can attest,” said Maristel Fernandez, head of Merlion Entertainment, Carren’s talent management.
Carren admitted there’s pressure when she joined “Eat Bulaga” but she already felt accepted by the show’s other dabarkads.
“May separate room kasi yung mga mismong hosts ng ‘Eat Bulaga.’ Since official na akong dabarkad, kung makaupo raw po ako doon sa mismong dining table ng mga hosts, I belong na raw po ako as part of the EB family. So napaupo na po nila ako roon tapos kumain ako.
“Pressured po talaga ako kasi ang gagaling na ng mga kasama ko. Matagal na po sila sa ‘Eat Bulaga.’ I’m still adjusting and I think I’m doing better naman po everyday. I’m open naman for improvements,” Carren also said.
The “Bidang Cebuana Singer” also believes her hardwork paid off when she finally won the nationwide talent competition.
“August ako sinalang sa Bida Next. I need to wake up early. Pinakamahirap is to balance school and schedule in ‘Eat Bulaga’ kasi almost everyday yung schedule. Thankful ako sa school ko kasi adjustable. Kung busy ako sa umaga pwede naman ako sa evening classes. Meron din silang Sunday class. May ibang klase po ako na nasa Sunday. Another thing is yung bibigyan ka ng kanta na hindi mo alam and then you will perform it the next day. Mabuti na lang madali ako magmemorize when it comes to sing and dance. Sa rehearsals binibigyan ka na ng grade ng ‘Eat Bulaga.’ Pati attitude mo tinitignan na nila. I’m so grateful to ‘Eat Bulaga’ for this chance of a lifetime,” Carren said.
(It was in August when I joined Bida Next. I need to wake up early. The most difficult thing is to balance school and schedule in ‘Eat Bulaga’ because the schedule is almost everyday. I am thankful for my school because it is adjustable. If I am busy in the morning, I can attend evening classes. They also have a Sunday class. Another challenge (in Bida Next) is that they will give you a song that you don’t know and then you will perform it the next day. Fortunately, I can easily memorize when it comes to singing and dancing. In rehearsals you are given a grade of ‘Eat Bulaga.’ They are also looking at your attitude.)
Carren has been featured in various commercials and television shows such as Little Big Shots, ToppsSarap Topps Star Season 2, Centerstage and Tawag ng Tanghalan Kids.
In 2018, Carren brought home eight gold medals and seven division champion plaques when she sang and played the piano at the World Championship of Performing Arts (WCOPA).
Amid her successes and achievements, Carren vowed to stay grounded and humble. “Promise hindi po ako magbabago.”
