In Conversation With Proud College Degree Holder Sharlene San Pedro
Sharlene San Pedro chatted with us about her college journey and how she wants to evolve as an actress as she marks her 18th anniversary in showbiz this year
Having earned her tertiary education from AMA University with a degree in psychology, actress, recording artist, vlogger, streamer, and VJ Sharlene San Pedro has finally ticked off “finish a degree” from her bucket list. “Sa totoo lang, hindi pa po talaga gaanong nag-si-sink in sa'kin na, finally, degree holder na ako,” she gushes.
In an exclusive interview with Sharlene, we caught up with the inspiring multi-hyphenate about her recent achievement and marking her 18th anniversary in showbiz this year.
Check out our conversation with her below:
More on Sharlene San Pedro
More on Sharlene San Pedro
On how she celebrated her graduation from college
In a catch-up with Metro.Style, Sharlene shared that she opted for a simple get-together for her graduation celebration. “We don’t celebrate much. Hindi kami ma-party or something. Hindi rin ako ma-party with friends kasi very few lang naman ’yung friends ko.” True to her being low-key and laid-back, she decided to just dine out with her family and feast on Korean cuisine. “Actually, ang celebration lang po namin ay kumain ng samgyupsal sa labas,” she said. Her brother, who also received an academic recognition beside Sharlene, shared the congratulatory sash with her. “Double celebration po siya because ’yung brother ko received high honors,” she explained.
Photo Credit: @sharlenesanpedro1
Photo Credit: @sharlenesanpedro1
On what drove her to pursue a degree
Juggling studies with showbiz isn’t the easiest thing to do. But Sharlene followed her dream of taking up an undergraduate program from a prestigious university as she promised her parents she’d do so. “Nu’ng time kasi na nag-a-artista ako, sabi ko at pinramis ko rin talaga sa parents ko na kahit gaano ka-busy [at] gaano karaming work, promise na talagang magtatapos ako ng pag-aaral,” she said, as she recounted her busy-as-a-bee days. “’Yun ’yung ultimate dream nila for us na magkakapatid,” she declared, adding that her busy calendar is not an excuse for skipping school. “’Yun po talaga ’yung nag-push sa akin. Kahit gaano ka-busy, ’yon ’yung iniisip ko—na kailangang makatapos ako,” she emphasized.
Photo Credit: @sharlenesanpedro1
Photo Credit: @sharlenesanpedro1
On why she took up psychology
Before deciding on which track to take, Sharlene deliberated on two of her top choices for her college program—philosophy and psychology. “Dalawa ’yung pinagpipilian ko po nu’ng high school ako,” she started. “Iniisip ko if philosophy or psychology, kasi [ang] first choice ko, philosophy,” Sharlene shared. “Sabi ng mama ko. Kasi siyempre, ’yung mga parents naman natin, may mga suggestion talaga ’yan sa mga course na i-te-take ng mga anak nila. Pero siyempre, ’yung second choice ko, psychology.” While balancing the weight of the said courses, she came up with a sound judgment. “Kailangan, ’yung gusto ko ’yung i-take ko—’yung matatagalan ko. ’Yung kahit mahirap, feeling ko interesting pa rin siya,” she justified. Propelled by her passion for observing people, Sharlene pointed out that she is inclined towards mental illnesses and would love to talk about them in length.
Photo Credit: @sharlenesanpedro1
Photo Credit: @sharlenesanpedro1
On how she managed to juggle her studies, multiple commitments, and career
Regardless of Sharlene’s jam-packed schedule, she can still squeeze in some time to go through her readings. It is only just that she sleeps or gets a shuteye in between breaks, but her superwoman strength gets her going. “Ang naging technique ko ay nag-se-set ako ng goal every day kung ilang modules [and] readings ’yung dapat kong matapos for the day [and] ilang quizzes [and] seatworks ’yung dapat kong maipasa on time sa araw na ’yun,” she told Metro.Style.
Photo Credit: @sharlenesanpedro1
“Kapag may free time, kahit nasa biyahe, kahit break time, nag-ta-try akong basahin ’yung [readings],” she went on. She also wholeheartedly agreed that discipline governs a difficult timetable. “Discipline sa time,” she emphasized. “Hindi puwedeng tamad kang magbasa. Ako po, aminado ako na very tamad akong magbasa, pero dahil ’yung pinili kong course ay gusto ko at interesting for me, natagalan ko siya at kinakaya ko talaga,” she ended.
Photo Credit: @yrmusic.official
On how she hopes to evolve as an actress
Looking back, Sharlene’s early beginnings as a child talent has catapulted her shoot to fame. From her “Goin’ Bulilit” stints to teen-oriented teleseryes, she landed the much-coveted job of being a video jockey at music channel MYX. Now in full bloom, Sharlene fancies to take a bow from the typical characters her supporters are so used to seeing. “Wish ko naman na sa susunod, mahiwalay naman ’yung tingin ng mga tao sa’kin, kasi 23 years old na ko,” she said, adding that she hopes to immerse herself in more mature and age-appropriate roles. “Ang tingin pa rin nila sa’kin, bata. Laging tuwing nakikita nila ako, ‘Ang laki mo na!’ ’Yun pa rin ang sinasabi nila,” she pointed out.
Photo Credit: @sharlenesanpedro1
As she marks her 18th year in showbiz, she yearns for a change in scenery. “Gusto ko sanang mag-try ngayon ng more indie movies—’yung talagang nangyayari sa totoong buhay.” When asked about what steps in showbiz will she tackle next, she told us: “Sa acting part, kailangan talagang maghintay kasi very picky na ako sa role na gagawin ko.” She also expressed that since she has long been sailing in the entertainment sea, she hopes to score portrayals that will intrigue her and pique her interest. “Kung pipili ako ng role na nagawa ko na before, parang naulit lang,” she added.
Photo Credit: @sharlenesanpedro1
If you haven't yet, check out the music video of Sharlene San Pedro's single, "Running," released last March:
Catch our full Metro Talks interview with Sharlene San Pedro, soon!
Lead photos from @sharlenesanpedro1
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