MANILA, Philippines—Ever wondered what your fave stars would be doing if they were not in show biz? And what are the lessons the biz has taught them which they didn’t learn in school?
Here, intrigues are the best teachers and everyday celebs are graded from head to foot. Grads of ’08, read on, and peep into the divinely insane show biz classroom.
Cheska Garcia: “I wanted to be a lawyer. It intrigued me—the challenge of defending clients, studying the case and going to court with my defense. In school, it was enough to smile at those familiar faces I saw. I wish sometimes I did more than just smile. Because now, I’ve learned to make pakisama and actually have good conversation with coworkers even with the utility guys at work. I see the beauty in them that I don’t see when I just don’t bother to care less.”
Arnel Ignacio: “I would have been an orchestral conductor or photographer if wala ako sa show biz. In show biz, I learned that: 1) Every book is judged by its cover. What’s inside does not make a bestseller. 2) There is no such thing as naked truth, only naked people. 3) Your watch does not tell time; it tells others who you are. 4) Every movie is always the best on its premiere night. 5) Truth is a far second to perception.”
Toni Rose Gayda: “If not in show biz, I’d be a veterinarian or a dog trainer. What I learned from show biz that I didn’t learn in school? To fight for myself and realize that even if I try to be nice, I shouldn’t expect everyone to like me. Just do what you have to without consciously hurting anyone but remember that even Jesus who died for us and did only good was still crucified and hated by others. Tayo pa.”
Asia Agcaoili: “I would be in sales if I were not in show biz. What I’m still learning up to now that I did not learn from school is to suck up tremendously to higher people. Ha ha ha! Sad but so true.”
Sunshine Cruz: “Ever since, I wanted to be a professional singer and dreamt that I would be able to join my dad’s 747 Band after finishing school. I have always wanted to sing rather than act. Being in show biz taught me to be strong and be optimistic most of the time. Hindi ko yan natutunan sa school because when I was in school I used to be a cry baby and super loner.”
Jomari Yllana: “I would be a full-time professional race car driver. Dealing with intrigues and not believing in one’s own hype are some of the lessons I picked up in show biz. Show biz is a world of make-believe and public perception. When I’m in front of the camera, I play the image of the actor/endorser. But at the end of the day, off screen, I am in my own private circle. So I guess I learned to know myself more through the years. It took me two decades to master this profession, to never leave behind the real me, with all the distractions of fame and fortune. This I will never learn from school.”
Rachel Alejandro: “I’m already doing what I’ve always wanted. Since my sister and I were kids we always said we would have a restaurant. Now, we have The Sexy Chef Café. Being in show biz has allowed me to travel the world and meet people of different cultures. It has made me more compassionate and understanding of people whose beliefs are different from mine. You don’t learn that in school.”
Marvin Agustin: “If I were not in show biz I would have been a chef or in any service-oriented career. I love making people smile and providing great experience. I learned that nothing is easy, life itself is difficult, that’s why you have to learn how to genuinely love what you’re doing so you don’t waste any moment of your life.”
Mariel Rodriguez: “I always wanted to be a makeup artist. Show biz taught me to be more independent.”
Mark Anthony Fernandez: “I learned to love my work, so it will love me back. I would be in the PBA or maybe a PE teacher or coach if I were not an actor.”
Philip Salvador: “I would have been a pastor-evangelist-doctor to let people know that Jesus is our only Lord and Savior and we should all be God-fearing. This is funny, but true. In show biz, I learned to be closer to God and share His words to others, gain more wisdom, and became stronger as a person.”
Karylle: “I used to think I wanted to be a pre-school teacher because I love being around kids especially siguro in a public school. Pero baka di ko kayanin yung kakulitan nila for more than one day. So now I’d just like to be a poet... just writing about anything and everything... and for my first ‘non show-biz job,’ I’d like to write poetry for children’s books, parang Dr. Seuss style. When I first entered show biz—I was still studying in Ateneo—people found it odd that I would sometimes bring school books or keep talking in English. I must admit that the first few years of show biz, I was insecure because I was educated. I felt na parang people looked down on me for having graduated kasi masyadong mahilig mag-English and stuff like that. In other words, in show biz, I learned that I should hide the fact that I’m educated because I was told to not be myself so that people could relate to me more. Ironic, isn’t it. But now I’ve come to terms with that fact that I actually finished school. I’m proud of it now but not mayabang about it.
Joey Generoso of Side A: “I think I’ll be a businessman with a pet shop and bar/restaurant, in case I’m not in show biz. To focus on my line of work, I’ve learned to interact directly with the audience and somehow transmit positive energy to those who need to lighten up their burden. That thing is not taught in school.
‘Fisheye’
Check out Callalily’s captivating second album “Fisheye” (Sony BMG) which contains 15 original songs that the band members (Kean Cipriano, Aaron Ricafrente, Alden Acosta, Tatsi Jamnague and Lemuel Belaro) composed. It is named after the camera lens that broadens the landscape because the band approaches the same things with a different point of view.
Cuts in the album include “Susundan,” “Ako’y Babalik,” “Trapped Inside the Moment,” “Fake Lullabies” and “Jewelry Box.” Fish(eye) be with you!
Are they?
In a previous column I wrote that a studio insider tipped me off about Diana Zubiri and Ian de Leon’s alleged secret romance. They both denied it. Someone privy to Ian’s affairs insists that he has a GF. Maybe Diana and Ian just want to be discreet to keep things exciting. There’s something sublimely surreal about remaining unexposed in this show-all biz!
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