In showbiz, it is a given that the spotlight frequently shines on individuals with storied family names.
But it isn't as if it is already a guarantee for success, longevity.
Like most, these scions have to prove themselves worthy of the iconic legacies of their family.
On the right track is Gela Atayde, daughter of awarded actress Sylvia Sanchez and younger sister to actors Arjo and Ria.
Gela is trying to make inroads in acting.
So, how is she going to go about it amid the success of her family?
In a recent interview, the 21-year-old shared her perspective on her family's legacy, her career aspirations, and her unwavering determination to make her mark in showbiz.
She admitted, "At first takot po talaga ako because I said 'If my brother had one wall to break; my sister had two walls; I have three cause its three of them.' But I think, right now, I don't. Cause I don't feel any pressure from them naman at all. I guess, I don't feel like I have anything to prove from."
"So I think the 'shadow' will always be there, especially with acting," she added.
"Now that I'm starting acting, I think there will always be circumstances na we will be compared. And I'm not scared naman cause I think, I mean, I will deliver because I want to."
Gela thinks she's lucky because she has another talent that sets her apart from her mother and older brother and sister: Dancing.
Recall that early this month, Gela's dance group Legit Status snatched the World Champion trophy in the World Hip Hop Dance Championship 2023 under the Megacrew Division held in Phoenix, Arizona, besting 54 other dance groups from all over the world.
Happiest about it is her mom Sylvia.
Her message for Gela: "Anak, congratulations. Congrats talaga. Kung meron man isang taong pinaka masaya sa pagkapanalo mo sa World Hip Hop Champion, siyempre ako yun. Ako, at aahil ako nanay mo at siyempre yung daddy at mga kapatid mo. Kaya congratulations talaga. Finally naabot mo na yung pangarap mo, anak. Nung bata ka pa nagtatago ka sa banyo. Nagtatago ka kung saan-saan para lang makapag sayaw ka, makapag-practice ka kahit wala ka sa tono noon pero sige lang, pinangarap mo ya nung bata, lumaki kang ganyan. Ngayon world champion ka na ng hiphop kaya yes proud ako..."
Dancing is one of the big reasons why Gela wanted to enter the local entertainment scene.
She wants to introduce more Filipinos to it.
"Cause as a dancer, I realized that it's not as appreciated as we all hope we all wanted it to be," she related. "So for me, I was given the opportunity to do it. Parang, I want to be able to explore dance and to be able to show everyone what actually dance is about; not just hip-hop, but maybe even explore other different styles. Para lang mas mapag-usapan siya."
"Aside from these, I think my main goal is to be able to make at least a movie or a series about dance or anything related to dance."
Her dancing journey began after watching her brother, Arjo, perform with the La Salle Green Hills Airforce dance group.
She was just 12 years old then.
"I don't know, I guess the music and just listening, watching him dance, watching them compete. The passion. Just like the craft in general, just by seeing it, I got inspired to try it out," she said.
Did she get any advice from her loved ones now that she's also walking the same path as them?
Gela said Arjo always reminds her to never let criticism affect her.
"Di po dapat ako magpatibag sa mga sinasabi ng mga tao. That's what he always tells me and I guess that helped me a lot because a lot of people would compare us, me and my siblings - and I would get that a lot - but because of my siblings, they will always re-assured me that I'm different and I can always do what they can't do and so much more."
How about her mom?
"The best advice from her was 'puso.' That's what she always reminds me of. She always told me na gamitin ko ang puso ko in everything that I do. And for as long as I used my heart, I will succeed," she said.
"Especially with acting. Kasi we see naman sa mom ko na puso talaga lagi ang ginagamit niya with all the roles that she does. So I think because of that mas nagkaroon ako ng puso to fight, to persevere in everything that I'm doing."
Gela is soon to appear in a TV series dubbed “Senior High.”
Produced by ABS-CBN and Dreamscape, the show will have her working alongside the likes of Andrea Brillantes, Elijah Canlas, Zaijan Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat, and Kyle Echarri.
Sylvia also appears in the series, something that Gela considers "very helpful."
Ria is happy with Gela's big break.
She told her sister: "I'm so proud of the person that you become. You're finally reaping the benefits of all your hard work and dedication, and all the hours you put in. And I'm so happy the world has finally seen how truly talented and passionate you are about everything. Obviously, this is only the beginning and you'll go through so much more. But I hope you know that throughout all of that, you're not alone. You have me and your Kuya Arjo and we're always gonna believe in you. I love you. I'm so, so, so, so, so, so proud of you. Congratulations on everything and officially welcome to the showbiz world. Your life is just about to get even crazier."
Sister-in-law Maine Mendoza-Atayde said: "We're so, so proud of you. We've seen your passion and dedication. We just couldn't be prouder, especially your Kuya Arjo. Lalo na ikaw yung tumuloy at tumupad ng pangarap niya. And we're just excited to see the incredible heights that you'll reach in dancing and acting also. So congratulations, again. Know that Ate Maine is always here for you except for dancing and acting kasi alam mong walang maitutulong si Ate Maine sa iyo sa areas na yun. But I'm just here to support you in everything. Love you Gels!"
Arjo is proud of her little sister.
He said, "You're an inspiration as well to me, to your Ate and to Xavi, and of course, to everyone else. Keep doing what you're doing. Continue what you're doing, you're doing great. And do greater things. It's just the beginning for you."