Yassi Pressman’s first documented television appearance dates back to 2006, when she was cast as the young Luisa in “Gulong ng Palad.” She has starred in several teen-oriented shows and Wattpad novel- inspired films like “Dairy Ng Panget” and “Girlfriend For Hire” ever since, danced on variety shows and was an MTV VJ and Pinoy Big Brother housemate.
The once innocent-looking teen star has finally landed what is arguably her most challenging role to date: Alyana, the wife of Cardo Dalisay, and eventually the grieving mother of their deceased son, in the hit TV series “Ang Probinsiyano.”
Yassi is nothing but thankful for the role and for how it has helped hone her potential as an actress, and has nothing but praises for her co-stars.
“Naging maswerte po ako na nakasama ako sa hanay ng mga beteranong artista. There’s so much to learn from so many people. Kay Coco pa nga lang parang ang dami dami ko nang natutuhan sa kanya. Then there’s Tita Susan, there’s my mom and dad, Tito Joel Torre, Charmaine Buencamino and so many other co-actors. Ang dami mong natutuhan galing sa kanila.”
“And ako din on my journey, bilang si Alyanna, mahal na mahal ko siya. Tas ramdam na ramdam ko yung mga pinagdadaanan niya,” Yassi shared in a press interview during a recent Silka Papaya press event.
Although she counts singing and dancing as two of her other talents, Yassi’s primary focus at the moment is her acting career. Yassi admits that playing a mother was daunting at first, but she doesn’t mind playing a young mother at all — even if she’s only 22 and doesn’t have a family of her own.
She explains, “Wala naman po siyang problema sa akin; naging mas malaking challenge pa nga po siya for me. Na mag-play ng isang character na hindi ko pa talaga na-experience. So ang kinapitan ko po talaga ay siya, wala nang iba. Character, wala nang iba. Yung pagmamahal niya sa asawa, sa anak. Yung mawalan ng anak Siyempre hindi ko pa po yun napagdadaanan. Pero naramdaman ko talaga siya dahil sobrang mahal ko yung character.”
In “Ang Probinsiyano,” Yassi’s character, Alyana, broke down when her son died as part collateral damage from armed conflict. And like her character, life isn’t always stars and rainbows for the young actress.
“I break down a lot of times pag hindi ko na kaya pero nanamnamin ko muna sana bago ko i-release,” Yassi admits. She tries to stand her ground in the midst of obstacles and challenges, with the support of co-stars, friends, her management, and most importantly, her father, whom she looks up to for advice on both personal and career matters.
“Whatever he says and thinks is right, I think it’s right,” she said.
It appears that Mr. Pressman gives great career advice, as Yassi’s journey to stardom seems to have been steadily going uphill in the last few years. She has jumped from supporting roles in TV shows and teenage flicks to being the leading lady in a top-rating action-drama series in her decade-long showbiz career.
Yassi has evolved into one of the hottest rising stars of her generation, with a disposition stellar enough to covet a steady stream of brand and product endorsements. She has recently been launched as Silka Papaya’s latest endorser, an honor that was once exclusive to host and actress Iya Villania.
Being chosen as Silka’s endorser is another feather on Yassi’s cap, and she confirms this by saying, “[I am] very proud and very honored. Yung mga brands that have been around for so long, para piliin ka nila to be their face, means a lot.”
Despite her busy schedule and her love for the outdoors, Yassi tries her best to maintain her porcelain-smooth skin with Silka Papaya Soap, which she claims to have been using even before the endorsement deal.
Yassi has done practically everything since she started in showbiz. As her career progresses and she moves on to mature roles, would she ever consider shedding her wholesome persona, shifting to a more daring image, and show more of that alabaster skin anytime soon?
“Personally mas choice ko na hindi na i-expose lahat,” she said.
