Strong on the inside
By Joy Rojas
Philippine Daily Inquirer
First Posted 21:36:00 08/04/2008
MANILA, Philippines—At 49, Pinky Marquez is busy rehearsing for the stage musical “Mulan” and soap “Dyesebel,” teaches acting and singing workshops in her own school and runs her own restaurant and garment company. (Did we fail to mention that she’s also newly married to a man three years her junior?)
The 54-year-old Minnie Jentes is in a good place in her life as well. In addition to running her own online travel agency Gttrends and the German restaurant Schwarzwalder, the former Ms. Philippines and fashion model divides her time between indoor and outdoor activities: she dances, works out in the gym, and plays golf regularly.
Turning 50—and being in one’s 50s, for that matter—may be a milestone most women dread, but as Pinky and Minnie proved at the recent launch of Anlene’s new milk formula with Nano Calcium (where, together with actress Dina Bonnevie and Asia’s Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales, they served as role models for the fight against osteoporosis, bone health and fit-and-fab living), 50 can be a fabulous time in one’s life. It’s the age when one achieves lakas-loob in every sense of the word: From strong body and bones acquired through years of healthy living to a strong character built after overcoming life’s infinite challenges.
For Minnie, the challenge of breast cancer was totally unexpected, especially since she had always considered herself “a healthy person. I exercised regularly, went dancing with friends, was active in golf, and ate a balanced diet. So it really surprised me when I heard I had this life-threatening disease.”
It was the ultimate test for a woman who admits to being vain and had always been proud of her body. Minnie, who underwent a mastectomy followed by chemotherapy, went bald and gained weight in addition to losing her breast. Prayer and a positive attitude saw her through this trying time. “Every day, I said, ‘God, you created me whole, and whole You will make me again.’ And in my heart of hearts, I believed it.”
Today, the model is indeed whole again, and in more ways than one. Besides undergoing a breast reconstruction, she’s embraced a new lifestyle and frame of mind. “Life is too short to be wasted on trivial things. Each day I wake up and find myself breathing is truly a gift,” says Minnie who eats more fruits and veggies, and takes time to rest. “I try to make the most of each day and enjoy every minute of it. Everything happens for a reason, and these ‘hiccups’ as I call them, will make us better persons in the end.”
True-blue Cebuana
Pinky has certainly made the most of her days since the nutrition major from UP was invited to sing in the Manhattan Transfer-inspired band Four Play back in college. With a voice Philippine Daily Inquirer columnist Nestor Torre described as “a strong, clear soprano that is at its most aurally thrilling when she’s hitting the highest notes,” the true-blue Cebuana was destined to earn her place in the spotlight. Besides singing for popular show bands like the Ambivalent Crowd, Music Making Company and Ang4gettables, she has represented the country twice in the Asean Music Festival, and appeared in numerous movies, TV, and theater productions.
As if facing audiences wasn’t daunting enough, the total performer has entered other ventures that require some form of lakas- loob to succeed. But while she has a restaurant and a garment business, for Pinky, entertaining takes the cake. “You just have to believe that you’re going to make people happy,” she says. “Just be yourself, be sincere and sing with your heart out.”
That’s what Pinky intends to do when she fulfills her ultimate dream: “To perform with a 100-piece orchestra,” she declares. No doubt she’ll pull it off. “Strength isn’t just about size,” says this consummate star. “It’s about lakas-loob. That’s the right thing to do: You always just have to believe that you can do it.”
|
![Zoom Image](javascript:popwin("http://images.inquirer.net/media/showbizandstyle/lifestyle/lifestyle/images/pic-08051242490339.jpg", 410, 565))
Zoom
