MANILA, Philippines - Actress Dawn Zulueta considers motherhood a career far more important than politics, and insists that she has no intention of pursuing the latter.

The wife of Davao del Norte Rep. Anton Lagdameo says she finds fulfillment in ?low-key? public service, helping battered women and children, cancer patients and kids with lip and palate deformities in Davao. This is why she is not surprised that her name keeps cropping up on the list of show biz personalities being considered for public office.

?I'm a new mother. I want to concentrate on raising my son for the next 10 or 15 years,? says the proud mom of Jacobo, now 2. ?And if Anton and I were to be gifted with more kids, I'd like to focus on them, too.?

She describes politics as ?complicated,? and says she just cannot imagine herself going into it. ?It's out of my league. I don't think I'm equipped for it. For one, I only finished high school because I stared working early,? explains the award-winning actress.

Show biz helps

But Dawn was already involved in civic-oriented causes even before her husband became a congressman. She helped raise funds for the Davao Regional Hospital Burn Unit. She also participated in ?Operation Smile? for kids in the province.

She's an active member of the Bataluman Crisis Center, also in Davao, a group that helps battered women and children. ?We give them shelter and legal help. We also provide therapy, especially to victims of molestation,? says the actress. She is also a member of Maharlika Charity Foundation, a team engaged in medical missions mostly to far-flung areas in Mindanao.

?I really enjoy doing these things. Nadagdagan pa when Anton became a public servant,? she says.

As a congressional spouse, Dawn says, she helps out-of-school youth ?learn new things.?

?I use my show biz connections. I arrange acting workshops and hair-and-makeup sessions for the kids to keep them out of the streets. Last April, I organized a session with (hairdresser) Fanny Serrano. Now, parlors are sprouting all over the province. I feel proud of the fact that I can help in little ways,? she says.

Only recently, Dawn joined the advocacy group I Can Serve, as a spokesperson. I Can Serve empowers women with breast cancer by providing cancer-related information so they can have a voice in their own health care. ?I want women to be vigilant. Cancer can happen to anyone,? she says. Dawn hopes to bring the group to Davao.

More plans

?I have lots of plans for our province. I'm thinking of organizing sports-oriented events in the coming year. Right now, I'm up to my neck with work, as a mom, a wife and a public servant. I don't need to join politics to help people,? Dawn explains.

But if it becomes necessary, since Anton can serve for only three terms? ?I shudder at the thought,? Dawn says. ?I hope we don't have to come to that. I'm praying there's someone in the family that they can consider before they even think of me.?

She continues: ?It's hard to say 'never,' especially to our constituents who want continuance. That's exactly what happened to Anton, who comes from a family of assemblymen.? After serving as Davao del Norte representative for three terms, Tony Boy Floirendo was replaced by his nephew, Anton, in May 2007.

?If I had my way, I would rather that Anton remained a businessman. But his uncle wanted Anton to be his successor. How can you say no to that? Tito Tony had done so much for Panabo City. I think it's good that Anton is now in a position to help more people.'

Dawn says she sees a silver lining, at last, in being a politician's wife, which she used to resent. ?Serving others gives me fulfillment. I just really hope I won't have to be called to run.?

Email mcruz@inquirer.com.ph