Tala-arawan ng Isang Dating Child Actress

Ni Victoria Haynes

Mayroon akong iba't ibang alaala noong bata pa ako. Ang mga sticker na "Jesus Loves You" na nakapaskil sa dingding na nakatapat sa aking kama, ang iba't ibang comics at childrens' books na kinalakihan ko, ang mga kaibigan na kahit medyo mahirap nang maalala ay mahal ko pa rin, ang mga taong nakapag-udyok ng pagbabago sa aking buhay, lalo na ang mga taong may mga mahahalagang itinuro sa akin.

Hindi maiiwasan sa buhay ang masaktan dahil bahagi rin iyan ng paglaki. Maaaring hindi masayang alalahanin, pero katotohanan siyang nararanasan nating lahat. Pero higit sa mga ito ang pag-ibig. Alalahanin mo ang pinakamasakit na leksyon na iyong natutunan, isipin mo ang mga pangyayari kung paano mo natutunan ito. In retrospect, makirot sa puso, pero ngayong nakaraos ka na at tapos na ang lahat, maginhawa na ang iyong pakiramdam. Hindi mo maide-deny na ikaw rin ang nakinabang. Ikaw ang natuto at ikaw rin ang magtatagumpay sa bawat anumang hirap na na naranasan mo.

Sa mata ng isang bata na walang kamuwang-muwang, maganda ang mundo, masaya, makulay at walang kakulangan. Ang lahat ng tao ay may pangarap, hindi ang isang bata lamang. Maraming taong may gustong gawin sa buhay pero hindi magawa-gawa dahil sa negativity ng mga tao na pumipigil sa kanila at pati na rin ang mga kalagayan na humahadlang sa kanila. Minsan, pati na rin ang pagtingin nila sa kanilang sarili ang pumipigil sa kanilang pag-unlad. Pero tao lang tayong lahat, nagtatrabaho, nakararamdam, nagtitiis at nagmamahal.

Kadalasan, ugali ng mga tao na ilagay ang mga artista sa pedestal, at sa totoo, maraming mahuhusay na aktor at aktres sa Pilipinas. Pero minsan nakakaligtaan rin nilang tingnan ang mga paghihirap at mga pagsisikap na kailangan ng mga artista upang marating ang kanilang kinaroroonan. Matinding pagsisikap at sakripisyo ang kailangan para maging 'role model' at upang manatiling ganap na walang kapintasan. Higit pa sa mga intriga at tsismis ng buhay. Nakatutuwang malaman ang mga pangyayari sa entertainment industry, pero sayang na marami ang nadadala sa pagsubaybay sa kanilang mga idolo na hindi na nila masyadong napapahalagahan ang kanilang sarili. Iyon bang sa lahat na lang ng bagay ikukumpara nila ang sarili nila sa ibang tao, kasama na rin doon ang mga idolo nila. "Kailangan mas payat ako" o kaya naman "dapat mahabang kaaya-aya at makintab ang buhok ko" at piliing maghirap at maabala para lang matulad sa kanyang idol. Ang hindi lang nila alam, araw-araw na nagda-diet at labis din ang pag-aalaga ng mga artista sa kanilang buhok, balat at ngipin.

Ok na may talent, na may sariling galing sa paglikha ng kanilang sining. Pero maaari rin tayong matuto sa pamamagitan ng pag-aaral at pagsumikapan ng ating mga gusto at hilig. Simula pa lang sa pagkabata, may angking galing na sila sa mga bagay na gusto nilang gawin. Pero hindi lamang ito ang dahilan sa pag-unlad ng tao. Nilikha tayo ng Diyos para magsilbi at kagalakan Niya. Hindi puwedeng hanggang doon lang ang gagawin natin.

Kailangang linangin ang mga talento at kahusayang ipinagkaloob sa atin. Isa ito sa maraming konsepto na natutunan ko kay Joachim Antonio, isa kong kaibigang propesor sa isang unibersidad dito sa Manila. Nanalo na siya ng tatlong Palanca Award para sa kanyang mga dula. Sa totoo lang, siya ang nagturo sa akin kung paano magsulat. Mayroon siyang writing seminar ngayon sa Fully Booked, ang "Inkblot."

Kung estudyante ka, mag-aaral ka. Kung athlete ka, pupunta ka sa gym araw-araw para ma-develop ang muscles. At kung nakapagbuhat ka na ng dumbbell, alam mong hindi lalaki ang iyong mga muscles sa isang iglap. Buwan ang kailangan para magpalaki ng katawan at ilang on and off seasons ang pinagdaraanan ng bodybuilders para marating nila ang kanilang kasalukuyang kalagayan. Kailangan ng sapat na oras at pagsisikap ang anumang tagumpay.

Ilang oras ang ginugugol ng mga pintor para matuto ng sketching at shading. Simula pa lang ito: ilang oras pang mag-eeksperimento, maghalo-halo ng kulay. Higit sa lahat, kailangan ring gugulan ng oras ang mismong pagpipinta.

Kung gusto mong maging mahusay sa pag-arte, kailangang matuto kang magmasid ng mga tao at tauhan. Sa "666," ang pelikula kung saan ako gaganap, pinayuhan ako ni Direk Celso Ad Castillo na pag-aralan ang "The Exorcism of Emily Rose." Pinanood ko ang pelikulang ito ng mga anim na sunud-sunod na beses sa loob ng tatlong araw. Noong sumunod na linggo, pinanood ko ang lahat ng mga exorcist films na nahanap ko.

Malaking sakripisyo ito para sa akin. Hindi ako mahilig sa nakatatakot. Romantic comedies, fantasy films, at indies ang hilig ko. Kaya, malaking tiyaga ang kinailangan ko sa panonood ng mga tungkol sa possessions, demonyo at multo, pero sabi nga nila, "the show must go on" at totoo ito.

Sa awarding ceremony ng FAMAS ngayong taon, napanood ko si Imelda Papin at napakagaling niya! Kahit noong sa pangalawang bahagi ng kanyang performance ay nasa back stage na ako na naghahanda para sa pag-present ng susunod na award, dinig ko pa rin ang kanyang pagkanta at nadala ako sa kanyang tindig sa entablado. Kahit alam kong malabo, masaya sana kung makakanta rin akong tulad niya. Alam kong mahirap maabot ang kanyang kalibre. Napakaraming oras ng ensayo ang kailangan para marating ang kanyang kalagayan.

Ang punto ko lang dito, hindi ipinanganak ang mga tao na ganap ang kanilang husay. Lahat tayo ay nagsisikap upang makamit ang ating mga pangarap. Araw-araw, gumagawa tayo ng mga desisyon at lalo nating nakikilala ang ating sarili. Kung anuman ang pinaggugugulan natin ng panahon, marahil ibig natin, dahil hindi na natin mababawi ang panahong lumipas na.

Ang nakaraan, para man sa mabuti o masama, ang bumubuo sa atin. Puno ang buhay natin ng mga taong may ibinahaging leksiyon, mga taong minahal, mga taong nakasakit, mga taong wala na at mga taong nandito pa rin ngayon. Ang lahat na daranasing sakit, pagtitiis at paghihirap ay nagpapalakas at nagtuturo sa atin. Mayroon tayong iba't ibang taong nakikilala at makikilala na mag-iiwan ng marka.

Noong maliit pa ako, ginampanan ko ang papel ni Terya, anak nina Babalu at Kris Aquino sa sitcom na "Home Along da Riles." Kasama ko rin doon sina Dolphy, Nova Villa, Carding Castro, at iba pa. Hanggang ngayon, malinaw pa ang mga alaala ko kay Tito Babalu at nami-miss ko siya. Naalala ko siya minsan bilang kalaro, minsan guro sa pag-ensayo ng mga linya para sa mga eksena naming dalawa. Parati siyang kasama na may maraming kuwento at mapagpasensya sa makukulit na batang katulad ko. Malaki ang lungkot ko noong pumanaw siya. Masaya kasi talaga siyang kasama. Naaalala ko pa rin ang ngiti niya, ang boses niya, at ang candy na lagi niyang dala sa bulsa.

Maliban kay Tito Babalu, mayroon din akong ibang mga kaibigan na nasa mas mabuting lugar na ngayon. Iba-iba ang natutunan ko sa lahat ng aking nakilala. Paniniwala ko talaga na mahalaga ang patuloy na pagkatuto ng isang tao. Lahat ng makikilala natin, makakausap, o makakasama man lang ay may epekto sa buhay natin. Minsan, baka tayo pala ang may malaking epekto sa buhay nila at hindi lang natin alam.

Kaya nagsusulat ako ngayon, dahil alam kong maraming tao ang may pangarap, pero nahihiya o nagdududa sa kanilang sarili. Mga nanghihinang-loob na subukin ang kanilang mga kaya, o minsan, hindi makasulong dahil sa isang trauma na hindi mabitiwan.

Para sa inyo ko isinusulat ang mga ito. Hindi n'yo kailangang mahiya o ma-insecure, dahil lahat ng bagay ay kayang gawin. Sa mga pinagdaanan mo, hindi mo ba minsan napapansin na sa simula, akala mo hindi mo kaya pero sa huli kaya mo naman pala? At sa katagalan, hindi lang kaya, kundi napakadali rin pala? Sa makipot na daan ng tadhana, ang nakaraan ay pinagtatawanan na lang.

Nagsisikap ang mga taong magagaling, kahit likas na sa kanila ang talento. Pinaghihirapan at pinag-aaralan pa rin nila ang kanilang sining. Walang sikat na banda o mang-aawit ang hindi nag-eensayo; walang artistang hindi pinag-aaralan ang script at role na gagampanan nila. Natatago sa kinang ng showbiz ang ilang oras, gabi, at linggo at minsan pati na rin taon ng pag-aaral, pag-eensayo at pagpapawis. At iyon ang showmanship. Kung may pangarap ka, huwag kang magpahadlang -- kahit sa sarili mo. Kung nakayanan ko, kakayanin n'yo rin...

Taken from Pinoy Parazzi

Marian Rivera's Secrets To Getting Sexy & Smooth

Before you're quick to dismiss Marian Rivera as just another pretty young actress, you might want to take a closer look. The latest poster child for popular telenovelas and a growing list of endorsements might conjure up images of being a prima donna, a stereotype that Marian herself likes to mock while she's on the set working. But the reality is, this big star is more level-headed than you would expect. Do not, however, equate her modesty with being quiet and reserved, as this girl is an outspoken ball of energy, capable of throwing quick one-liners and witty comebacks before you can see them coming.

"Palaban ako," she'll say one minute, with an air of apparent confidence, then laugh the next at a random joke she herself cracked. Only after taking a closer look will you realize it: there's a mixture of a warm, childlike innocence and a feisty, strong-willed attitude in this bubbly, 5'4" package.

One thing that keeps this 23-year-old humble and grounded is the doting maternal grandmother who raised her. A self-confessed "lola's girl," she proudly claims it was her grandmother's guidance that helped her successfully graduate from college (with a degree in AB Psychology from De La Salle University Dasmariñas) before she could even consider a career in show business. After some modeling projects and small breaks on TV, she was eventually catapulted into stardom, quickly becoming a household name.

Now she is the newest endorser of Facial Care Centre's LaserLight hair removal, and could very well be their walking testimonial. Not only does she personify LaserLight's promise of perrmanently removing unwanted hair, but also the carefree, confident attitude that comes with it. She began getting LaserLight treatments way before her roles in MariMar and Dyesebel came, something she admits was (and still is) a key advantage during shooting those TV shows as the characters she portrayed always had to don revealing outfits.

"My tapings would last 24 hours a day, tuloy-tuloy yon so wala na rin akong time to wax or shave, and if ever, mag-aantay pa ako ng re-growth bago mag-hair removal uli. At least sa LaserLight, wala na akong pinoproblema. Big convenience talaga," Marian says.

She recalls her past hair-removal methods of waxing and shaving were a big hassle and caused delays. Being of Filipino-Spanish descentt (her father is pure Spanish), she inherited not only a pair of doll-like eyes and an hourglass figure but the trait of being balbon as well. "Balbon talaga ako, dati ang dami kong hair sa legs," she recalls.

After her first attempt at hair removal through shaving, the re-growth came in coarser and thicker, much to her dismay. Waxing, on the other hand, was painful and time-consuming. So the discovery of LaserLight hair removal excited her enough to want to try it immediately. After experiencing it firsthand, she had nothing but raves and praise for the treatment. Marian happily relates that it not only got rid of the hair on her legs, it also made the skin on her legs much smoother because ingrown hair never became a problem. She's had LaserLight done on her underarms as well, which now look smooth and flawless. LaserLight also prevents the darkening of the skin on the underarms that often results from the trauma of various irritating hari removal methods (like waxing or harsh creams).

Marian says that LaserLight has definitely boosted her self-esteem, considering she is now less conscious (if at all) of her unwanted hair, a problem many women have. Marian proves that being hair-free and sexy is a definite guarantee with LaserLight hair removal.

LaserLight hair removal is available at Facial Care Centre.

Taken from The Philippine Star

Day With an Angel: On the road with Judy Ann Santos

Everyone saw Judy Ann grow up, from the angelic-faced little girl to the accomplished actress and entrepreneur she is today. In this special issue, we tag along with everyone's favorite drama princess as she goes about her busy day.

The first thing we found out is that her day doesn't start at any specific time. "Depende sa activities ko na naka-schedule."

She is very busy, so she makes sure to give enough time for her to get from one place to another. She also takes a cup of coffee, usually with her favorite Angel coffee creamer, to get going in the mornings, especially when she has a busy day.

So what is Judy Ann's typical day like? Join us as we find out how this busy superstar stays one step ahead of her game.

9:00-9:30 AM
We arrive at Judai's house in Susana Executive Village in Quezon City. We were ushered into the living room by the housekeeper, who then went to see if Judai was already awake.

Judai comes down adjusting her eyes to the morning light greets us a good morning. She goes straight to the dining table for her breakfast.

"Habang nag-ma-makeup ako, bago umalis ng bahay sa umag, that s when I usually have my first cup of coffee. Kailangan sa akin, may Angel Coffee Creamer, because it makes my coffee more creamy."

9:57 AM
She walks to the bathroom to take a shower, then at the dining table where a make-up mirror has been set up.

11:26 AM
To complete her day, and before hitting the road, Judai relishes her cup of decaffeinated coffee with Angel coffee creamer.

She enjoys every sip while tuned in to Boy & Kris.

11:45 AM
She boards her white van and heads to the ELJ BUILDING AT ABS-CBN compound where her contract signing will take place.

12:08 PM
Makes it to the 14th floor, 9501 Restaurant, where the contract signing takes place. She is met by ABS-CBN executives Cory Vidanes, Deo Endrinal together with her manager, Alfie Lorenzo.

12:15 PM
Official contract signing takes place at the restaurant's meeting room in the presence of ABS-CBN President Charo Santos-Concio, and covered by the media.

"Kapag marami at mahaba ang mga meetings, at busy ang schedule, madalas akong antukin. So I need coffee to keep me awake. Pero para maging mas malasa ang kape, nilalagyan ko ng Angel coffee creamer."

12:25 PM
Meet and greet with the press while she answers their questions.

12:49 NN
Lunch with the ABS-CBN executives where they discuss their future projects with Judai, who asked for a cup of coffee with Angel Coffee Creamer to finish off her lunch.

2:46 PM
Leaves the ELJ Bldg. and heads for Makati to a meeting with people from Smart Telecommunications.

"Madalas kaming mag-bonding ni Mommy Carol over coffee. Kapag lumalabas kami, coffee ang madalas namin shine-share. Siyempre, kasama dun ang Angel coffee creamer para mas sumarap din ang bonding namin."

3:50 PM
Arrives at Smart Tower, Ayala Ave., Makati to meet with Smart Telecommunications head Mon Isberto. Judai is seeking sponsorship from different private companies for her movie Ploning, which is Oscar-bound.

4:30 PM
Leaves Makati and heads to Jamboree Street, Quezon City for a guest appearance in QTV- 11's Moms.

6:14 PM
Arrives on the set of Moms and rushes to the dressing room for a quick retouch and wardrobe change.

"A cup of coffee helps me relax in the midst of a busy day. Sa taping, sa meetings, lagi kong kasama ang kape at ang Angel coffee creamer para mas masarap ang aking coffee experience."

7:46 PM
Judai sits at a table with her Mommy Carol and friend/publicist BJ while waiting for her gap on the show.

8:47 PM
Judai was called for her turn at the taping. Here she sits with guest Maxene Magalona and is interviewed by one of the show's host, Manilyn Reynes.

9:10 PM
The day is finally over. She's had a whole day filled with activities and commitments, but Judai still looks glowing and lively. There's time for one last photo with her magazine's staff, writer Bernie Franco and Angel Roque, editorial assistant.

"Pagkatapos ng isang busy day, the best ang coffe na pampa-relax. Sa kape lang, tanggal ang pagod ko. Siyempre pa, may Angel coffee creamer para kumpleto na ang araw ko."

Taken from Starstudio magazine: Judy Ann Santos special issue

From Child Star to Award-Winning Actress

Judy Ann got her first taste of television drama in the hands of veteran character actress Bella Flores. And then she wanted to quit.

Imagine the irony: Judai was eight years old, doing her very first on-cam acting scene, where she played a street urchin tormented by Flores' character. She still remembers that night: "First scene ko, kay Bella Flores. Sinabunutan niya ako at sinampal-sampal kasi 'yun ang eksena. Sinampal-sampal niya ako, sinabunutan niya ako. Nanginginig ako talaga! Tumakbo ako sa cabinet at nagtago. Ayoko na sa sobrang takot."

Eventually, she got over the trauma. Slapping scenes were all in a day's work. She had the chance to work with Bella Flores again as an adult actress. "Ngayon, natatawa na lang ako. Hindi ko naman dinala sa pagtanda ko yung takot ko sa kanya. Natatawa ako at sinasabi ko, 'Ikaw, ang laki-laki ng parte mo sa kabataan ko!'"

Judy Ann built on these small successes. She took it step by step. She started with small parts and worked her way up. The hardships and humiliation she had to go through from Ula to Mara Clara, they were all investments in a career that would pay off much later in life. It was only then that she would discover acting was her passion. The little girl who got dragged to an audition had been transformed. "Napagdaanan ko lahat, from being an extra to this, tinahi ko siya lahat. For the longest time, acting has been my life. Whatever I do, I do it for myself. I satisfy my passion."

To make it work, she had to start by adjusting her attitude, learning to put up with the long hours and hard work. During the early days, while shooting a movie or taping a TV show, she would sometimes feel that what she'd done was enough and say she wanted to go home. That had to stop. "May mga ganon ako kunwari, hindi ko feel masyado, or gusto ko lang maitawid. Then mare-realize ko na mali 'yon. Bad attitude. Kasi may mga ganoon din naman ang artista na 'Ayoko na, pack up na tayo.' Pero hindi puwede 'yon--kailangan mo talagang araruhin."

After fifteen years in the business, Judai hungered to reinvent her image and grow as a real actress. Throughout most of her career, she played the typical young star roles until she landed the lead part in Sabel in 2004.

Her character in the film was "a big leap". Judai portrayed a liberated woman who had a lesbian affair, and it was in Sabel, scripted by Ricky Lee and directed by Joel Lamangan, that she had her first-ever rape scene. Judy Ann was motivated to break down her own boundaries. but the motivation was coming from a personal pain. "Suntok sa buwan 'yung ginawa ko. Pero it was a decision I had to make because gusto ko nang mag-mature 'yung mga roles na ginagampanan ko. I wanted to prove to people na kaya ko. Kahit malaki ako, hindi naman nakukuha ang kaseksihan sa pagkapayat lang. Puwede mong iarte. At kaya kong gumawa ng isang pelikulang hindi n'yo iisiping gagawin ko."

The role gave Judy Ann her first best actress trophy in the prestigious Gawad Urian and also in the Golden Screen Awards of the Entertainment Press Society (ENPRESS).

Filming Ploning was another leap. This time, she was not just the lead actress, she was also the producer. She put a lot of pressure on herself. It was hard for Judy Ann, because the movie was shot in a remote location. She had to be away from family and friends, and could not go home and put her feet up at the end of a long day on the set. So she learned to adjust in other ways. During the filming, she and Ploning director Dante Nico "Ga" Garcia -- with whom she'd been friends since she was 14 years old -- signed a contract stating that if Judy Ann felt she couldn't go on, they would pack up the shooting by mutual agreement. "Hindi naman dahil naghihitad lang ako, kundi dahil pagod na ako," she says. "May isang eksena dun, yung esposada na nagsasayawkami na ang haba. Monologue yung linya ko nun, eh ang dami na naming pinanggalingan, tapos nung gabi ko na lang nalaman yung eksena na 'yun ang gagawin. Nakaset-up na, tapos sinabi ko sa kanya (Ga), kinausap ko siya, hindi ko magagawa ito. Magagawa ko, pero hindi ako magiging happy. Kaya pinak-up na niya."

It was the one and only time that filming was packed up the whole time they were shooting Ploning. Judy Ann felt a sense of responsibility. "Nasi-stress ako, tapos nape-pressure ako na ang daming negatibong kakainin, tapos lahat ng tao, ume-effort sa eksena, pero ako, hindi ako maka-effort dahil hindi ko maramdaman yung ginagawa ko. Nakakahiya sa mga tao."

After many years in a business full of hardships and challenges, Judai is at a point in her life now where she has learned to manage stress. "Guiding principle ko lang ngayon sa buhay is to have fun and be happy," she discloses. "Ayoko na ng stress sa buhay ko."

Establishing an amicable working relationship with people in front of, or behind the camera, makes her work stress-free. "I value the people I work with. As much as possible, I'd like to have a good working relationship with them. Hindi ko sila pina-plastic," the actress explains.

But the symbiotic relationship she has established with them is something she worked hard for. "Siguro I earned the respect of these people. It's a give-and-take relationship. 'Bigay ko 'yung kailangan nila, pero kailangan ko rin ng ilang araw na pahinga." It is on these days, Judai says, that she tries her hand at other things she wants to do.

She admits getting stressed by people who are quick to judge her. "Na-si-stress ako kapag nakakarinig ako ng nagsasabi ng 'Ang suplada pala niya,'" she shares. "After a hard day's work, and I hear that, I feel bad, at gusto kong sabihin, 'hindi n'yo alam ang pinagdaanan ko buong araw.'"

But she tries to address this by reaching out some more. "Isa sa mga rason kung bakit gusto kong nakikipag-usap, at gusto kong lumalapit sa tao ay dahil mahiyain ako. I try to open myself up to people na parang pare-pareho lang tayo, nagkataon lang na iba-iba tayo ng trabaho."

Taken from Starstudio magazine: Judy Ann Santos special issue