“It’s rare that one is given a chance to be in show business. Work hard and make the most of it because you are not going to be in the limelight forever,” Jodi said.
Launched via a soft drink commercial, Jodi Santamaria, popularly known by her screen name Jodi Sta. Maria is steadily trekking a viable career in show business.
It might be fate which brought Jodi her chance to act on TV and the movies. She was discovered by a talent scout while eating in a fast-food restaurant in Buendia. And the rest is history.
In spite of her busy showbiz career, Jodi still leads a normal life by finishing her studies. She’s aware that showbiz is not a permanent job, and would be nice to have a fallback when she decides to retire from show business. Recently, she graduated from college at Southville International School with a degree in Bachelor of Science in Psychology at the age of 39. “Remember, it’s never too late, and you are never too old to reach your stars,” she posted on Instagram.
In person, Jodi exudes confidence and cheerfulness, a window to her positive outlook in life. Jodie Chrissie Sta. Maria, in real life, is the youngest of two siblings. She grew up in Cabrera, Pasay.
She keeps her svelte figure by working out “whenever she feels like it.” If she couldn’t go to the gym she just does sit-ups at home to maintain a flat tummy. She looks blooming these days, reflective of her happy personal life. At present, Jodi’s boyfriend is actor Raymart Santiago.
Courtesy @ jodistamaria on Instagram
As a single parent, she’s a proud mom to son Thirdy from her past relationship with Pampi Lacson, son of Senator Panfilo Lacson.
Jodi intimates that she has come this far because she knows what she wants and she’s serious about her job. “It’s rare that one is given a chance to be in show business. Work hard and make the most of it because you are not going to be in the limelight forever,” she said from a previous interview.
Celebrity fathers Ogie Alcasid, Ariel Rivera, and Cesar Montano are, no doubt, happy with how their respective careers have turned out, but they all agree they experienced far greater joy when they became parents. Needless to say, fatherhood has put meaning to their lives.
Let’s get to know their thoughts on fatherhood and child-rearing experiences.
Ogie Alcasid: “I found my place in the greater scheme of things”
“I found my place in the greater scheme of things,” uttered Ogie from a previous interview. Ogie is a doting and very supportive dad to three children (two girls, Leila and Sarah from his first marriage with former beauty queen Michelle Van Eimeren; and one son Nathaniel James with wife Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid).
Ogie with his children. Courtesy: Ogie Alcasid on Instagram
Ogie is enjoying his role as a father to the fullest. “Every moment that I’m with my children is important for me,” he shared. He became more of a child, too, “because when you’re already a parent you have to play with your kids. At the same time, you can’t take things for granted.”
He advises parents to have time for their family. “Even if it only takes two to three hours a day, make it a point to play and talk to your kids if you don’t want them to grow up not knowing you,” Ogie said.
Ariel Rivera: “The love for a parent to a child is unconditional love”
“There are no words to express my feelings when I became a father,” intimated Ariel from an earlier interview. “Now, I realized that your love for a son is very different from the love you have for your wife and mother.”
Ariel with his wife Gelli and children Joaquin and Julio. Courtesy: Jose Ariel Rivera FB page
With their two sons around, Joaquin and Julio (who are now attending schools in Canada), Ariel and his wife Gelli de Belen have become closer and stronger through times. The couple opted not to have a nanny when their children were still younger. “We didn’t get a nanny because I want to follow what my parents have done for us. My parents raised the five of us in Canada without a yaya. If they were able to do it with five kids, why can’t we do it? Kayang-kaya naman. Ang pinoy kasi gusto natin parati tayong komportable.”
The lesson he learned from child-rearing is the love of a parent to a child. “You’ll never know until you have one,” he said, “It’s unconditional love.”
The earnest balladeer has attained more depth and maturity in his musical career and personal life.
Cesar Montano: “Teach them the value of hard work and money”
Actor, film producer, and director Cesar Montano admitted that he’s a very lenient parent. “Kasi ngayon hindi na panahon ng lecture nang lecture sa bata. The children will not always listen to you, but for sure they will imitate you. ‘Yon ang paniniwala ko,” he explained from a previous interview.
As a parent, he has experienced the worst. But one thing he learned from it is “life should go on no matter what happened. Everyone learns from the lessons of life.” Needless to say, he has developed a broader perspective in life. “Lahat naman ng ito ginagawa ko para sa kanila. Mapalaki ko sila ng maganda at magkaroon ng magandang buhay.”
Cesar has admitted that he’s a very lenient parent. Courtesy: Cesar Montano FB page
One thing he learned from child-rearing, and which he inherited from his late dad, Genovevo, is to make life a little difficult for your children. “Hindi dapat bigay hilig. Hindi kailangan ng lahat ng pangangailangan nila ibibigay mo. Teach them the value of hard work and money.”
Life in Sta. Ana, he said, was the best time of his childhood days. His favorite hangout in Sta. Ana is Plaza Hugo, where he would always play basketball with his peers.
Did he imagine that he’ll become a popular star someday? “Ay, oo. Noong nagtitinda ako ng ice cream sabi ko siguro magiging sikat ako. Hawak ko ang bibingka, sabi ko ‘Cesar Montano ako paglaki,’” he guffawed. “Hindi ko akalaing maiisip ko ‘yon.”
Cesar is proud of his roots. “Siyempre. Dahil hindi ka magiging ganito ngayon, kung hindi ka magiging proud sa pinagdaanan mo. To be able to spend your life in your own way is a success in itself,” he ended.
(Based on the published feature article in the old Mirror Weekly magazine by the same author)
Featured photos: Courtesy of Jose Ariel Rivera FB page, Ogie Alcasid FB page, and Cesar Montano FB page
“I want to be a relevant piece of history,” shared the award-winning composer.
Composer Gary Granada experienced a moment of celebrity status when his composition with witty lyrics “Mabuti Pa Sila,” grabbed the grand prize award in the 1998 Metropop Song Festival. What the audience didn’t know was that the song actually started from a joke.
“Noong araw mayroon kaming joke na ganoon,” related Gary from a previous interview. “So sabi ko bakit hindi ko ma-share ang joke na ‘yon pero sa ibang form naman.” The song he said has a no deeper meaning. “Katuwaan lang ‘yun,” he quipped.
Gary, however, said his work as a composer is no joking matter. “Among the current composers, I think, I work the hardest. My setup is not simple. I spend about 12 to 14 hours a day working – that is serious work. Kasi napapakinggan ko ang mga trabaho ng mga kasama sa industry usually their songs are very personal. They write about their own experiences and their feelings toward certain situations which are not bad at all. In my case, I get to write things which I don’t have an intimate involvement with.”
The award-winning song “Mabuti Pa Sila,” was written in 1997 by Gary and was intended as a single for an album. As it turned out, it qualified in the Metropop.
However, he considered “Mabuti Pa Sila,” as a serious piece of work. “Seryoso naman ang song na ito in a literary sense of the word. Papasa sa classroom at papatulan ng literary teacher ito. In that sense, the material is serious.”
Gary shared that his music tradition originated from protest music. “Ang mga kasama ko diyan ay ang Buklod, Patatag, Jess Santiago, The Jerks, Musicians for Peace, Inang Laya, Paul Galang,” to name some. However, he admitted that they had lost focus because many of his groups disbanded or went on to work for NGO groups.
He felt that it was about time to consider a larger audience because he thought that they were effective. “Ang effectiveness mo naman ay kung nakakapagbago ka ng public policy,” he said.
Before he became active in the mainstream, he was very reluctant to go into pop music. “Kasi pakiramdam ko naman kahit na sumikat ka riyan, kahit maging pinakamagaling ka pa riyan, hindi ka naman makakapagpababa ng presyo ng langis,” he pointed out.
Gary added: “The way we look at pop music industry decoration lang ang mga ‘yon, a piece of entertainment. You’re earning but you don’t have any political consciousness, so you’re an irrelevant piece of history. That’s why we focus our attention to more historically relevant work.”
Diversity of musical styles
Gary is a native of Maco, Davao. He first learned to play the ukulele at the age of three. As he grew older he learned to harmonize different music styles and genres from “Pinoy ethnic” to “rock ‘n roll.”
Gary was a finalist in the 1982 Metro Manila Popular Song Festival with his entry “Ang Aking Kubo.” He eventually won the Grand Prize for “Salamat Musika,” in the 1984 Metropop and “Bahay” in the 1988 KBP Musicfest. He also won in the 1989 United Nations Environmental Program Songwriting Contest for his song “Earthkeeper.”
A testament to his diversity is his ability to compose songs haunting the consciousness such as “Sino Ka Ba Jose Rizal?” while on the other hand, dishing out light-hearted tunes such as “Pag Nananalo/Natatalo/Nang Maging Champion ang Ginebra.” (The other version of the song “Ginebra” was sung by another singer Bayang Barrios.)
“I did put in a lot of work in the song ‘Ginebra.’ The challenge was to capture a national passion in four minutes,” said Gary.
Courtesy: Gary Granada FB fan page
Gary’s songwriting experience goes about several years back. He has produced numerous albums for major record labels and has had written more than 300 songs on subjects ranging from gospel, love, environmental concerns, folk, to political and satirical. In addition, he has also composed full orchestra pieces.
Gary disclosed that he wants to be a “relevant piece of history.”
Sharing here the lyrics of the award-winning song “Mabuti Pa Sila”:
An ugly duckling as a child, she grew up to become the pretty, sweet “Crush ng Bayan” in the 1990s.
She has been critical of the Duterte administration, but the singer-actress Agot Isidro I had interviewed way back in the late ’90s can be described as simplicity and sweetness rolled into one. She said being simple is inherent in her.
“It just happens that I have a different job. I try to keep my sanity. So if I’m not working, I’m a normal person. But if I have to sing in Megamall, then that’s a different Agot,” she related from a previous interview.
Fans in the know are aware that Agot has had her share of failed relationships. From each, she said, she learned a lesson or two. “If my relationship didn’t last long, I get disappointed. But it’s not like a burden that I should carry forever,” she intimated.
After her failed marriage to Manu Sandejas, she has learned to move on. In fact, she’s blooming these days. Her special someone is not from showbiz. (Her boyfriend is Florin “Pilo” Hilbay, lawyer and former Solicitor General).
Her turn-ons? “Someone I can talk to about anything under the sun,” she shared. “He must have a sense of humor. Hindi mayabang (not boastful). The guy has to have perfect table manners. It’s something you do three times a day – how does he do it – if he does it na magulo (messy), it’s indicative na magulo ang buhay niya (that his life was chaotic). And I don’t like someone carrying a clutch bag!”
Agot has also a fetish for shoes. “I want worn-out and down-to-earth shoes,” she insisted. “Ganoon din kasi ako sa shoes ko, pinatatagal ko (It’s the same with my shoes, I last longer). My oldest pair of shoes dates back to 1989.” And she goes for investment dressing. “I have clothes since 1988 that I can still use up to now.”
Independent-minded woman
Agot’s independence was greatly shaped by her upbringing. “In our family, my parents have given us choices. They let us grow as ourselves. They raised us in an environment that we can make our own choices. They don’t actually dictate what they want for us,” she shared.
Courtes: Agot Isidro Official FB page
She learned more about independence when she lived in New York in 1989. She said it wasn’t easy living in a foreign land. She experienced how it was like to be broke and to eat a pretzel as her sustenance. What she missed about New York was being able to walk in the street without building up perspiration. “E, here just five blocks away you have no choice but to take a taxi. You can’t even take a jeep because it’s dusty,” she chided.
Her being a designer takes a back seat at the moment. (She graduated Bachelor of Interior Design in UP). “I’m busy doing things myself. But it’s still there. I’m not licensed,” she said.
Agot believes that it’s possible for a woman to combine marriage and career. “If I want to have a career and start a family, it’s up to me. It’s how I will balance it. My husband has to be supportive of me also.”
The ugly duckling
Agot admitted that when she was young she was an ugly duckling. “Noong bata ako, ang itim-itim ko,” (When I was a kid, I had dark skin) she disclosed. Agot is the fourth child in a brood of six. She was a swimmer. Nevertheless, she has overcome her inferiority complex. Never mind that she went through it with half an ear closed to intermittent pestering, “Negra!” they called her.
How do you feel now when your photograph is being taken? “I don’t have the concept that I’m beautiful. Now, people say ‘You’re so pretty.’ Really? You should have seen me when I was younger. I didn’t grow accustomed to people telling me I’m so pretty.” She earned the title “Crush ng Bayan” in the 1990s. The title was flattering but she said nothing was put on.
As a child, Agot was not really into dreamland. She wasn’t into Barbie dolls. What she liked to play were the likes of tumbang preso. During those days, her great time was when she would accompany her dad to scout for old cars and restore it into brand new ones; in return, they would sell them to make money.
Biggest dream
Some of her what-to-do lists are really far off. One of the things she included in the list is going to Africa. “It’s my biggest dream,” she said. “I’ve been to Europe already. But when you say Africa, it’s a different world, you don’t know what to expect.”
She always wants to travel. Her favorite place is in Palawan. “It’s nice. It’s like a different country,” she said. “Even for just three days, I want to unwind to have a change of scenery.”
Like everyone else, Agot has her own share of peculiarities. “Nagkukulong ako sa kuwarto (I lock myself in the room). Just for a snap,” she related. “Huwag n’yo na ako kausapin. Lumayo ka na lang muna. Hayaan mong ako ang lumapit.” (Don’t talk to me anymore. Just stay away first. Let me come over.)
But it’s different altogether when she gets depressed. “I cook. Then I’ll call my friends to drop by the house and eat everything I have prepared,” she related. Agot’s specialties are pasta and galunggong fillet. Before her favorite viands were pork chop and chicken.” Though, a hearty eater, it didn’t show in her svelte figure.
Her quiet moment is best spent in reading inspirational and stimulating books like The Road Less Traveled, Chicken Soup for the Soul, Positive Thinking, Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus, and others. But she doesn’t read new age stuff.
“It’s always nice to read a good book. It keeps you updated on other things. And it provides solitude, which I rarely experience as a showbiz person. I always welcome the chance to be alone with a good book,” she ended.
In the face of a career-high, Ai-Ai de las Alas struggled as sole breadwinner and a single parent to her three children. Finally, she now feels complete and enjoying all aspects of her life – career, marriage, and motherhood.
Comedy Queen and Comedy Concert Queen Ai-Ai de las Alas’s business is to make people happy. But what can make her truly joyful is to be surrounded by the most important persons in her life – her children, a husband she can share her life with, and a happy home.
She was given another crack at marriage with a younger husband, Gerald Sibayan, whom, she said came at the right time. “Deep inside I know I’m a good wife, a good mother, and a good person.” The couple tied the knot in December 2017.
Ai-Ai and Gerald – happy together. Courtesy: filipinotimes.net
Aside from Gerald, her source of joy right now are her three children: Sancho Vito, Shaun Nicolo, and Sophia Andrea – her love children with estranged husband, singer Miguel Vera.
Her past experience of love has changed her a lot as a person. “Hindi na ako mapusok (I’m no longer aggressive when it comes to the affairs of the heart),” she admitted. “Noon kasi basta mahal ko hindi na ako nag-iisip (Because then, as long as I love you, I don’t think anymore).”
As a mom, she’s both strict and a spoiler. “Kasi ‘yong hindi ko naibibigay na oras, kung ano na lang ang gusto nilang hingin minsan ibinibigay ko na lang din,” (Because I don’t always have time for them, I just give what they want sometimes) she shared. “But I always remind them that we’re not rich. And if ever I can’t give them what they want, it doesn’t mean that I don’t love them. Ayaw ko lang na masanay sila sa pera.” (I just don’t want them to get used to money.)
Good at loving someone
Being a celebrity she still disdains the lack of privacy that goes with her job. “Minsan depende sa approach kasi may mga taong salbahe talaga,” (Sometimes it depends on the approach because there are really bad people.) she said.
She admitted that she’s a crybaby in real life. “Sometimes people have this notion that what you’re doing onscreen is the same thing what you’re doing in real life,” she explained. “I want them to know that I have also my own private life. Hindi lang nila alam na kaunting bagay lang iniiyakan ko na.” (They just don’t know that I’m crying over a few things.)
She said she’s a good cook and also good at loving someone. “My talent is GIB (Good in Bed) and sometimes it’s VGIB (Very Good in Bed),” she said in jest.
Ai-Ai is presently part of the cast of GMA Network’s romantic comedy-drama “Owe My Love,” top-billed by Lovie Poe and Benjamin Alves.
Ai-Ai has been in the business for the longest time and the sustainability she attributes to the kind of professionalism she gives to her craft. She handles stardom by keeping her feet on the ground.
Jamie has interpreted the inspirational song “We Give Our Yes,” adding a feather in her cap.
There’s a new dimension to Jamie Rivera’s music career that she’s very proud of. Just recently, she launched the inspirational song “We Give Our Yes,” the official mission song of the year-long 500 years of Christianity in the Philippines celebration which kicked off last month.
Father Carlo Magno Marcelo wrote the song and produced it by ABS-CBN music creative director Jonathan Manalo. As of press time, it has 113k views on YouTube Channel.
Highlights of Jamie’s career
She has made a name for herself as a singer and has blossomed, too, as a composer. Jamie considered being part of Miss Saigon the highlights of her show business career. She was only 24 then.
“Through that, I experienced a twist of fate. Before that, I thought I was just a singer. The stage was still an unexplored arena. Somehow because of Miss Saigon my status was elevated,” she disclosed from a previous exclusive interview.
From that experience, Jamie learned pointers on confidence, stage acting, independence, humility, and punctuality.
“Lessons on the latter, I had in big doses. It happened to me one time during my first rehearsal. Our stage director said, ‘You have to be in the theatre exactly 10 in the morning.’ I arrived at about 10:05. He said, ‘Miss Jamie Rivera, you’re now in London, and when I say 10 o’clock you have to be here about five minutes before 10.’”
Aside from Miss Saigon, another memorable performance of Jamie was when she got the female lead of a 22-member cast in the musical Bogis Street. Jamie played opposite Singaporean theatre actor George Chan. The musical was staged not only in the Kallang Theater in Singapore but in Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur as well.
Jamie admitted that she has experienced how to be treated like a star when her first record album, Hey, It’s Me became gold in so a short time.
“That time I was really overwhelmed,” she recalled. “Even my family misunderstood my intention, my attitude because I became too busy. You should be as normal as everyone else. Of course, if you’re a star somehow you have an edge over other artists. When you’re a star you should be more humble because a lot of people look up to you as a role model.”
Lucrative profession
Jamie said she considers singing a lucrative profession. However, there are times when it’s not that stable.
“We’re not a regular earner. So you must have a fallback,” she said. “I’m urging other singers to finish their studies so they’ll have a fallback. (In her case, she finished Commerce, major in Economics at UST). She’s also helping her husband in his real estate business.
Courtesy: Jamie Rivera FB page
She has learned to accept that there’s a lean and peak season in everyone’s career. “You shouldn’t be frustrated. You learn through your experiences,” she quipped.
Jamie’s musical taste is more on the classical. She loves broadway, cartoons, and orchestra songs. “But when I write songs it should be commercial,” she said. “Kasi iba gusto ko sa gusto ng ibang tao. Ang ibinibigay ko ay ‘yung gusto ng tao. Kasi kapag gusto ko ang gagawin ko hindi naman sya bibilhin ng mga tao,” she rationalized.
What makes a good singer?
“A good singer should have a distinct quality of voice and proper packaging. I consider Lea Salonga a good singer because of her flawless voice. Of course, there’s Regine Velasquez, Kuh Ledesma, Barbra Streisand, Zsa-Zsa Padilla, and Pops Fernandez,” she shared.
Inherent Talent
Mary Jane Cruz Mendoza in real life comes from a musically-inclined family. Although, she’s the only one who could sing professionally. Jamie decided to pursue a career in music when she won in the Yamaha Music Mate Girl Contest in 1986 while still majoring in A.B. Economics at the University of Sto. Tomas.
Actual training for her began during her first years with the Metropolitan Theater where she also did her first major concert, Hey, It’s Me, Jamie. Soon after, she recorded her first album. And the rest is history.
In her line of work, the most important lesson she learned is to be politically correct.
“Otherwise, you will get enemies easily,” she said. “Another lesson is to prioritize your family. All the things will fade but not your family; nobody can take them away from you. And whatever you do in the past it will reflect you in the future. While you’re still young try to be good. Keep your feet on the ground.”
Jaya has said many times: “I know my mom prayed a lot for me. I think that’s where all the blessings came from.”
After 30 years in show business, Queen of Soul, Jaya, feels that she has been blessed. “Life’s been treating me good. I’ve always pursued what I believe in and I don’t think of what people say. I do what pleases me as long as I don’t hurt anyone. And if I didn’t succeed the first time, I just keep on trying,” she shared.
Jaya said that she doesn’t plan to sing forever. “I don’t want to do this forever. I’m only doing this because I’m trying to satisfy myself and the talent that I have. I don’t think I will grow old in this profession. But that’s so far from now. But who knows . . .”
If there’s a song to describe her life, it would be “What Matters Most.” She said: “People tend to think about the temporary things in life. When we die what matters most is what we have done when we were still alive. While we are still alive let’s enjoy life, make friends, see different countries if you can afford it, breathe, live, enjoy the spirit that’s in you, improve what’s bad in you because we’re only human and we’re capable of committing mistakes. But what matters most is that we should love each other.”
As a woman, she admits she’s bading, independent, and strong-willed. “I didn’t graduate from high school but I still try to learn things by surfing the internet, doing research,” she shared. “As a person, I’m not very trusting but once I trust you, matagal ‘yon. Basically, I’m very loyal. I don’t really harbor ill feelings toward other persons. I just let it pass. I’m very impulsive also and loving, but I don’t forget the past because I based my present life on my past. And I don’t believe in too much in politics.”
Jaya on a roll
Since she launched her singing career locally some years ago, Jaya has become a household name. “I think I’m a little bit more self-assured now knowing the crowd expects me to give this type of music. And sometimes, I want to surprise them.”
Definitely, her living in the States for several years has had a big influence on her musicality. She says, she had the chance to listen to different types of music – Irish, Brazilian, African, reggae, pop, rock, alternative – name it.
“Because of that American influence in me, everybody noticed that I was a bit different when I came here. But I wasn’t trying to sound like anybody else. I’m influenced a lot by African-American music. Back in the old days, my voice was like matining na mataas. Now it has texture. I have the low tones and the high notes.”
Remembering her mom
Looking back at what she and her late mom, Elizabeth Ramsey had been through, Jaya muses: “Aside from my talent in singing, I’ve inherited some of her good traits, like her spirituality, but mine is in a different way. I’m not a collector of saints like my mom, but I have a few at home. I don’t pray as regimentally, but the moment I hold a rosary, I know that I will be saved.”
Jaya has said many times: “I know my mom prayed a lot for me. I think that’s where all the blessings came from.”
Jaya with her lovely family.
Jaya has been married for more than 14 years now (and counting) to non-showbiz husband, Gary Goditoc. The couple has two beautiful children.
“Evolution is a way to live. We should always challenge ourselves,” the multi-faceted artist shared.
Joey Ayala, to many, is associated with neo-ethnic, indigenous music. Joey, however, thinks he’s between an entertainer and a cultural artist. “I’m in between. I became an entertainer because of my association with culture and arts,” he shared.
Joey, to the unfamiliar, is in fact a multi-faceted artist. He is a poet, a story-teller, a guitarist, a performer, a multi-instrumentalist, a composer, a lyricist, and arranger. And that’s a lot of talent rolled into one.
“As an artist, my contribution here is the way I approach what I do. I’m trying to balance the form and content to make it of higher service to the people. My humble contribution to the evolution,” Joey said.
Joey’s talent was first recorded in his first two albums Panganay Ng Umaga (1982) and Magkabilaan (1986) which became underground classics while his 1992 release Mga Awit Ng Tanod Lupa helped decimate the borders between entertainment and education. And the rest is history
Beginnings
While earning his degree of Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the Ateneo de Davao University, Joey Ayala kept a continuing romance with his guitar, an instrument he learned to play from various means.
Writing was also a major part of his academic life. Yet through his schooldays, Joey didn’t go quite directly into a musical or writing career, but instead, he ventured into advertising, editing, financial consultancy, broadcasting, and theatre.
“I didn’t have a career direction. I was not even aware that I have a career,” he said. “I wasn’t really thinking of money. I resigned from my office work when I met people who are full-time artists from Canada. I was able to perform for a Folk Festival in Canada while I was working in the office.”
Local music industry
Joey shared that the state of the local music industry is pretty healthy now.
“The output of a local artist is now being recognized by the record company. I don’t know if that’s a good thing for the artist. But it must be a good thing for the record company,” he explained. “I say it must not be good for the artist because an artist without the record company can still make money from his music, without necessarily being distributed by a major record company. That’s how I survived as a musician for a while. Before I signed with anyone, I was already selling.”
Joey’s ultimate goal is “just to be better than I am now,” he concluded.
Her confidence and intelligence made her an achiever in her studies, and in her chosen career.
Actress-comedienne, singer, and columnist Giselle Sanchez is a well-endowed artist. She’s a pitbull of fun and talent. She’s a bundle of joy with an over-supply of good sense of humor. But she could be deadly serious, too, as far as work is concerned. When she gets into something, she sinks her teeth into it.
She’s a jack of all trades excelling in acting, hosting, singing, writing, and stand-up comedy. “I cannot be typecasted in just one field because women these days should be multi-talented. To be able to survive in this era you have to be versatile,” related Giselle from a previous exclusive interview.
Break
Giselle said she was lucky because when the opportunity came in, she was in the right place at the right time. In fact, what people didn’t know was that she was prepared to be there.
“My career started because I was in a group called SAMASKOM at UP (Samahan ng Mag-aaral sa Komunikasyon). And we wanted to come up with a comedy show,” she recalled.
“Since we didn’t have money we joined (then) Ready Get Set Go. E, ako gusto ko talagang magpapansin para ma-discover. I put makeup,” she laughed. “My first manager, Del Pascual saw me there and asked me if I wanted to join the movies. I said ‘yes.’ Actually, I was just waiting for his offer.
Then Tessie Tomas saw her at UP when they staged the said play. “At that time, I didn’t have a phone because we live in Rosario, Pasig. Basically, Del was the middle man. Then Johnny Manahan saw me and offered me a couple of guesting in all the sitcoms on Channel 2. After that they made me a regular cast in Ang TV, I was a teacher there. From Ang TV, I was guested for Mongolian Barbecue. Then, Wilma Galvante saw me and put me in SST as a regular host. After that Lorraine Schuck got me for It’s A Date. After so many years, ABS-CBN got me back. And the rest is history.”
“Without this confidence, I wouldn’t be where I am now. And my mom Gilda and dad Ike gave me that confidence,” she said, the pride in her voice unmistakable. Courtesy: Giselle Sanchez FB page
Childhood
Maria Giselle Sanchez in real life was born under the sign of Taurus. She describes herself as “makulit, matigas ang ulo, matapang, loyal, loving, sensuous, and when I go to sleep ang daming tumatakbo sa isip ko.”
How she got her name was a funny anecdote. “No, it wasn’t taken from the ballet. No, my mom was not into the impressionism era. She was a fan of Lorna Tolentino and her name was Giselle. Then ginawa niyang Lorna because magbo-bold na siya,” she recalled.
She said her childhood was a happy one. “When I was three years old, I would lock myself inside the room and start acting and my mom would freak out feeling niya nasisiraan nang ulo ang anak niya,” she adds. “When I was 14, there was one director who dropped by our video shop then I approached him, ‘direk puwede ba akong mag-artista. Oo, ikaw ang ipapakain sa buwaya.’ Kaya ngayon gusto kong makita ang director na ‘yon. I’m sure laos na siya,” she laughed.
In person, Giselle has a whistle bait figure and flawless complexion that can match any beauty queens around. That ugly duckling girl grew up to be a jolly kid. Although she was not that pretty she had so much confidence to feel that she is beautiful. And this confidence made her an achiever in her studies, and in her chosen career.
“Without this confidence, I wouldn’t be where I am now. And my mom Gilda and dad Ike gave me that confidence,” she said, the pride in her voice unmistakable. “And you should give value to your family. I wouldn’t probably be here if I didn’t value my family.”
Giselle with her loving family. Courtesy: Giselle Sanchez FB page
Giselle’s versatility coupled with her intelligence has earned her a mark both in the entertainment and media industry. She graduated magna cum laude major in Mass Communications at the University of the Philippines. She is a mother of two, a happy wife, and a successful businesswoman.
She said the advantage of comedians is they stay long in the business. “As for stand-up comedy, your key is your mind,” she concluded.
