Newcomer Nella Dizon expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to work with actress Rhian Ramos in the film "Huwag Mo Kong Iwan," produced by BenTria Productions under engr. Benjie Austria.

"Most of my scenes were with Ate Rhian Ramos. She was so nice. Hindi niya ako tini-treat as iba. She's bubbly. Ate Pinky Amador is also nice," said Nella during an interview in Quezon City recently. "I hope tuloy tuloy na ito."

Nella started acting at seven when she had a cameo in her father's film "Marino."

"My first movie was 'Marino' kung saan anak ako ng dad ko (Allen Dizon). I was seven years old. Isang line lang yata ako roon. 

"Wala talaga akong alam sa mga movies niya noon hanggang nakasama ako sa 'Marino.' That time mahiyain talaga ako. 

"When I was 12 or 13, I wanted to pursue acting. Yung sister was in a movie. 

'And she did well in a movie. I told myself kaya ko rin gawin yun. Siya (sister) ang naging inspiration ko," Nella said.

One movie project led to another. After 'Marino,' Nella appeared in "Rainbow Sunset," "Persons of Interest," "Beauty Queen," "Abe Nida," "Lola Magdalena," "Apo Hapon," and "Huwag Mo Kong Iwan."

Dennis Evangelista, Nella's talent manager, recognized her potential after watching her in a stage play.

"Nakitaan ko siya ng potential when I watched her in a school play. Sa stage kasi live. I told myself, 'May future siya sa showbiz,' " Dennis said.

Nella, 22, confessed that she never wanted to rehearse her lines for movies with her father.

"Feeling ko baka matawa lang ako eh. Mas gusto ko ibang tao ang ka-throw lines ko," she said.

Of the movies of her dad, she admired him in the films 'Magkakabaong' and 'Bomba' where Allen won many awards.

Nella mentioned that her father always provided her with valuable advice about acting.

"One thing he always tells me is to imagine my character. Huwag mong iisipin na you're an actor playing a character but think about the character para mas effective ang portrayal ng role. Act as natural as possible. Do your best," she said.

Allen, 47, is said to be the Philippine actor with the most acting awards in the country. Recently seen in the No. 1 drama "Abot Kamay Ang Pangarap" on GMA Network, Allen has received more than 50 action g trophies here and abroad.

Of the stars in the country, Nella hopes to work with Primetime Queen Marian Rivera. "Ang ganda niya pero hindi ko pa siya nakita in person. Ang ganda din ng mga mata niya. Gusto ko rin makahingi ng advice kay Marian when it comes to career."

Nella also said she dreams of doing action movies.

Beauty queen

Nella was crowned Mutya Ning San Fernando in Pampanga. She plans to join a national beauty pageant soon.

"I just tried pageant last year. I am still determining when I will continue to pursue pageants. The only pageant I watched before was Miss Universe. I wasn't aware of the other pageants," she said.

Nella said since she joined a local pageant, it taught her about elegance.

Comparing her looks to popular beauty queens, Nella is a dead ringer for Jennifer Cortez and Precious Lara Quigaman.

 "Nakaka touch ang comments nila kasi ang gaganda nila. Pero maganda rin ako," Nella laughed. "My idol is Catriona Gray"