Meet Bida Star: Gandang Naturally Fresh winner Ruth Paga from Baguio City

Rhea Manila Santos

After being announced as the Ultimate Bida Star in this year’s online star search Bida Star: Gandang Naturally Fresh last March 31, 23-year-old Ruth Paga of Baguio City said she never expected hosts Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza would announce her name as the winner.<a href='https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/2/17/fresh-scoops/aljon-mendoza-and-karina-bautista-host-the-new-sea-191789'>READ: Aljon Mendoza and Karina Bautista host the new season of ‘Bida Star’ talent search</a>“Hindi ko na ipagkakaila na sobrang saya. I’m so blessed na ako yung nandito sa araw na ‘to. Thankful and blessed ako na humaharap na ako sa mga tao as a Ultimate Bida Star. Sobrang saya ko, sobrang blessed, sobrang thankful. Walang salita ang makapag-describe ng nararamdaman ko ngayon. Dumating na rin yung time na blessing para sa akin,” Ruth shared during the Bida Star: Gandang Naturally Fresh mediacon last April 5. Originally from the Kalinga province, Ruth won after getting 89.54% from collected Kumu diamonds, KTX votes, and being scored by director Rahyan Carlos. As the Ultimate Bida Star, she won prizes like a digital film with Kapamilya stars, an ABS-CBN management contract, Eskinol talent contract, a scholarship with Star Magic workshops, P50,000, and her own digital show.“Sobrang excited ako. Siguro pag natanggap ko na yung mga premyo baka mas ma-feel ko pa yung pagka-Ultimate Bida Star ko. Sobrang excited ako. Kung bibigyan ako ng chance para mamili ng film, gusto ko ng mga drama. Gusto ko pang-MMK ko para i-MMK ko yung buhay ko. Para makita nila kung ano yugn nangyari hanggang makuha ko itong Ultimate Bida Star, parang ganun. Tapos kung bibigyan ako ng chance para may makasama ako na Kapamilya star, si Ms. Kathryn Bernard at si Ms. Jodi Sta. Maria at siyempre ang KarJon kasi siyempre kasama ko sila from the beginning kaya gusto ko rin sila makasama in person, parang ganyan,” she said.During her Ultimate Bida star mediacon, Ruth revealed her strategy to be able to stand out as a contestant in the virtual competition. “Siguro yung ginawa ko, pinakita ko lang yung totoong ako na in-enjoy ko lang yung moment tapos kung mapapansin niyo ako yung oabiro dun, kuwela kuwela. Ginawa ko lang yun para ma-distract ko yung mga kalaban ko (laughs). Siyempre ganun ako pero pagdating sa mga challenges, pagdating sa mga workshop, nandun yung tenga ko na paghahandaan ko ulit. So ganun yung naging strategy ko,” she said.After winning, Ruth said she had a simple but meaningful celebration with her family in their home in Baguio.“Unang una, nung inannounce na, yung inner monologue ko ‘Thank you Lord thank you,’ parang ganyan. Nag-celebrate talaga kami. Kung maririnig niyo talaga sa video may mga tumili, mga pamangkin ko yun at ate ako kasi nakiki-chismis pala sila dito sa may door namin. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na yung celebration kailangan bongga ganyan. Sa amin kasi, yung mag-pray lang as a family, celebration na yun sa amin. Siyempre may konting kainan. Kahit ako yung nanalo, ako pa rin yung pinagluto at pinaghugas kaya nag-celebrate pa rin naman kami. Honestly, wala pa namang nagbabago sa buhay ko. maliban sa ako yugn hinirang na Ultimate Bida Star ngayon. kasi feeling ko ito pa lang yung simula ng tatahakin kong career. So in a way, pag may napatunayan na ako, may na-achieve na ako, siguro dun pa lang siya magbabago yung buhay ko,” she said.Ruth said she hopes that she is hopeful to get acting opportunities in the future.

Originally from the Kalinga province, Ruth won after getting 89.54% from collected Kumu diamonds, KTX votes, and being scored by director Rahyan Carlos. As the Ultimate Bida Star, she won prizes like a digital film with Kapamilya stars, an ABS-CBN management contract, Eskinol talent contract, a scholarship with Star Magic workshops, P50,000, and her own digital show.“Sobrang excited ako. Siguro pag natanggap ko na yung mga premyo baka mas ma-feel ko pa yung pagka-Ultimate Bida Star ko. Sobrang excited ako. Kung bibigyan ako ng chance para mamili ng film, gusto ko ng mga drama. Gusto ko pang-MMK ko para i-MMK ko yung buhay ko. Para makita nila kung ano yugn nangyari hanggang makuha ko itong Ultimate Bida Star, parang ganun. Tapos kung bibigyan ako ng chance para may makasama ako na Kapamilya star, si Ms. Kathryn Bernard at si Ms. Jodi Sta. Maria at siyempre ang KarJon kasi siyempre kasama ko sila from the beginning kaya gusto ko rin sila makasama in person, parang ganyan,” she said.During her Ultimate Bida star mediacon, Ruth revealed her strategy to be able to stand out as a contestant in the virtual competition. “Siguro yung ginawa ko, pinakita ko lang yung totoong ako na in-enjoy ko lang yung moment tapos kung mapapansin niyo ako yung oabiro dun, kuwela kuwela. Ginawa ko lang yun para ma-distract ko yung mga kalaban ko (laughs). Siyempre ganun ako pero pagdating sa mga challenges, pagdating sa mga workshop, nandun yung tenga ko na paghahandaan ko ulit. So ganun yung naging strategy ko,” she said.After winning, Ruth said she had a simple but meaningful celebration with her family in their home in Baguio.“Unang una, nung inannounce na, yung inner monologue ko ‘Thank you Lord thank you,’ parang ganyan. Nag-celebrate talaga kami. Kung maririnig niyo talaga sa video may mga tumili, mga pamangkin ko yun at ate ako kasi nakiki-chismis pala sila dito sa may door namin. Hindi naman ibig sabihin na yung celebration kailangan bongga ganyan. Sa amin kasi, yung mag-pray lang as a family, celebration na yun sa amin. Siyempre may konting kainan. Kahit ako yung nanalo, ako pa rin yung pinagluto at pinaghugas kaya nag-celebrate pa rin naman kami. Honestly, wala pa namang nagbabago sa buhay ko. maliban sa ako yugn hinirang na Ultimate Bida Star ngayon. kasi feeling ko ito pa lang yung simula ng tatahakin kong career. So in a way, pag may napatunayan na ako, may na-achieve na ako, siguro dun pa lang siya magbabago yung buhay ko,” she said.Ruth said she hopes that she is hopeful to get acting opportunities in the future.

After being announced as the Ultimate Bida Star in this year’s online star search Bida Star: Gandang Naturally Fresh last March 31, 23-year-old Ruth Paga of Baguio City said she never expected hosts Karina Bautista and Aljon Mendoza would announce her name as the winner.<a href='https://push.abs-cbn.com/2021/2/17/fresh-scoops/aljon-mendoza-and-karina-bautista-host-the-new-sea-191789'>READ: Aljon Mendoza and Karina Bautista host the new season of ‘Bida Star’ talent search</a>“Hindi ko na ipagkakaila na sobrang saya. I’m so blessed na ako yung nandito sa araw na ‘to. Thankful and blessed ako na humaharap na ako sa mga tao as a Ultimate Bida Star. Sobrang saya ko, sobrang blessed, sobrang thankful. Walang salita ang makapag-describe ng nararamdaman ko ngayon. Dumating na rin yung time na blessing para sa akin,” Ruth shared during the Bida Star: Gandang Naturally Fresh mediacon last April 5.

Bida Star: Gandang Naturally Fresh Ultimate Bida Star Ruth Paga reveals her winning strategy for the virtual talent search.

Meet Bida Star: Gandang Naturally Fresh winner Ruth Paga from Baguio City | PUSH.COM.PH