Two-time Southeast Asian Games gold medalist for taekwondo Pauline Lopez is expected to appear in two showbiz projects this year: a movie and a television series, according to film producer Dondon Monteverde.

In a recent interview, Dondon said Pauline has been preparing for her showbiz debut this year. Pauline is set to appear in a TV series entitled "Buy-bust" and a film with the working title "Battle Ready."

"She is doing workshops now, but she just finished training. We have a Filipino-American trainer for the series 'Buy-bust' with Anne Curtis-Smith and Gerald Anderson. We're planning on a nine-part series. Erik Matti will direct it," said Dondon, Pauline's business manager.

Pauline will be starring in "Battle Ready" alongside Brandon Vera and Monsour Del Rosario. Filming for the movie is scheduled to begin soon.

"We will probably start shooting in April or May. It will be under the helm of Joey de Guzman of 'Shake Rattle and Roll: Extreme.' He's a promising director. 'Battle Ready' is about soldiers. Pauline will play a soldier in the film," Dondon also said.

"It's Pauline's first time acting, but she's making a lot of promise. Syempre kapag pumunta ka sa first day of work, may jitters ka pa. And she's working hard to speak in Tagalog."

Last Jan. 28, Pauline demonstrated her passion for taekwondo when she led the Mapata taekwondo competition in Quezon City.

The acting part for Pauline came around 2019 when her manager asked her if she was open to acting. Then, they put her in workshops, which she had always wanted to do. 

"Parang, it's a challenge—something new. I love it because it's different. My course in Ateneo is psychology, which is about studying people and their thoughts. The workshop was like therapy because I learned a lot about myself. So I want to pursue this as well," Pauline said.

The bemedalled athlete said she is hugely grateful to her family for supporting her upcoming showbiz career. 

"They are very supportive. But my dad was reluctant because sa sports world talaga kami. I grew up in a household na whatever you do, they require excellence. So I was able to instill those values," she said.

Pauline said she doesn't want to think she's leaving sports despite taking the showbiz plunge.

"I don't want to think I've even left sports now that I'm coaching. Even if I go to the competition and coach now, some kids would run up to me and say, 'Ate Pau, I started this sport because of you. It warms my heart. That means I made a mark in their lives. That's what sports is about," she added.

Pauline scored gold medals in the Asian Youth Games (2013), Pan American Open USA (2014), Southeast Asian Games (2015), Asian Taekwondo Championships (2016); and Southeast Asian Games (2019).

At a media conference, Pauline was told that she resembles actress Angel Locsin. Her response was, "Really? I'm touched."

Asked if she had second thoughts about joining showbiz, Pauline said never. "If I need to speak Tagalog and even do action training, I will do it."

Pauline, in her 20s, mentioned that despite growing up in the US, she still speaks Tagalog naturally.

"Nagbabasa ako. I practice speaking in Tagalog. My parents, especially my grandparents, never let me forget Tagalog. Kapag nagsasalita ako (ng Engish), they would say, 'Oops! Tagalog. Huwag English sa bahay ko!"