TFC All Access Vol 2 Issue 5 by TFC ALL ACCESS

www.tfc-usa.com/AllAccess

ERESA FORT FO

VO LU M E 2 I S S U E 5

PIOLO PASCUAL

is back in his finest season yet

The New Pantasya ng Bayan

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ANGELINE QUINTO’S

Dream Come True

Primetime’s Kontrabida

JAKE CUENCA

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Note from the Editor

What A Year It Was! When TFC All Access made its debut in February 2013 in the U.S., we had an inkling that this will be an eventful year; we just didn’t realize how DRAMATICALLY eventful it would be. The island province of Bohol was disrupted by the deadliest earthquake in the Philippines in 23 years. Experts say that Typhoon Haiyan may be the strongest ever to hit land (and it hit the Philippines). The twin tragedies may have given the world the most heartbreaking images and stories, but the unmatched outpouring of help in time, talent and treasure from the world over is and will remain the bigger story - the story of selfless giving, hope, unity, love and joy. This is the spirit of the season that we want to convey in our last issue for our first year. Life with all its tears and trials - remains a gift that we should continue to celebrate because of its lessons, promise and blessings. In this issue, catch the tell-all interview of Maria Mercedes star Jessy Mendiola, who shares her own ‘journey of the heart’ as it involves her past and rumored present love, Sam Milby. Learn the inside story of how Sam is courting Jessy as shared by one of Jessy’s closest friends. For a true story on the ups and downs of a showbiz marriage and how life goes on after trials, we also feature a timeline of the love story of Sunshine Cruz and Cesar Montano. We also take the readers to an inside visual tour of one of the four grand homes of awardwinning TV host, publicist, talent manager and celebrity endorser Boy Abunda and the abode of the country’s Prince of Pop Erik Santos. The always interesting and sometimes enigmatic Bamboo - fresh from his numerous international concerts and TV stint as one of the four celebrity coaches of The Voice of the Philippines - opens up about his private life and sterling career and debunks myths and chatter about leaving his popular band, Rivermaya. And last but not least, we feature the country’s Pop Princess and certified Box Office Queen, Sarah Geronimo, who just finished her very succesful 10th year anniversary concerts. One of the female celebrity coaches of The Voice of the Philippines, Sarah tells readers the huge role of her biggest love - music - in her life. And so we end the year on a bright and happy note: Thank you for taking the ride of adventure with us and we promise bigger and brighter things to come as TFC celebrates its 20th year in 2014. Maligayang Pasko at Manigong Bagong Taon Sa Inyong Lahat! Happy Reading! Leylanie Go, Editor-in-Chief

Me with the couple who gave me the gift of life

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VOLUME 2 ISSUE 5 • CONTENTS

PIOLO PASCUAL

IS BACK WITH TWO NEW PROJECTS

ELLEN ADARNA She’s bold, daring, quirky and more! Get to know TFC All Access’s hot new cover girl

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JAKE CUENCA SHOWS OFF HIS JAW-DROPPING CAR COLLECTION AND TAKES TFC ALL ACCESS INSIDE HIS QUAINT PAD STORIES 10 Angeline Quinto STYLE 17 Gretchen and Dominique Barretto 18 Anne and Jasmine Curtis-Smith OTHERS 8 Citizen Pinoy: The Lawyer Is In

TFCUSOfficial

“Like” us on Facebook and get special fan-only surprises!

For the latest in entertainment news and celebrity lifestyle, read StarStudio Magazine. Digital edition available via www.zinio.com/starstudio and the iTunes App Store

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Citizen Pinoy Travels to meet Kapamilya in Arizona and Minnesota

n keeping with its mission to reach more kapamilyas, Atty. Michael J. Gurfinkel and Citizen Pinoy visited Minneapolis, Minnesota and Phoenix, Arizona during Citizen Pinoy’s 14th season. Both cities offered their warmest welcome for the Citizen Pinoy crew. The audience members in Arizona and Minnesota drove an average of 3-5 hours from neighboring cities like Caladonia, Tucson, Casa Grande, Florence, Mayer, Sierra Vista, Yuma, Maricopa, and even Gallup, New Mexico, just to meet and greet Atty. Gurfinkel in person. Kapamilyas in attendance had their immigration questions answered on “Your Tanong, My Sagot.” The rapid-fire questions were also chosen from the audience and Facebook. One kapamilya from Minnesota commented that “Masaya ako dahil nakilala ko si Atty. Gurfinkel. Every Sunday, I watch him on television, and kahit may ginagawa ako, I drop it. Sa kanya ang Sundays ko!” And another Filipino from Arizona said, “I’ve been

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ATTY. GURFINKEL WITH KAPAMILYA IN MINNESOTA. Between tapings of Citizen Pinoy, Atty. Gurfinkel poses with an audience member. Atty. Gurfinkel and the crew of Citizen Pinoy are always thrilled to take the show on the road to reach out to Filipinos across the nation and provide information and answers to their immigration concerns.

waiting for you for a long time…and I’m so happy to have my question answered by a reputable attorney.” During the taping session, Atty. Gurfinkel made our kapamilyas “feel at home,” as he shared his insight into Filipino customs and behaviors. Some audience members shared their sad stories, which brought tears to the audience, but everyone went home happy, as Atty. Gurfinkel explained

complex immigration issues in plain, simple English. In reciprocating the energy from our kapamilyas all over the U.S., Citizen Pinoy plans to visit more cities. Where would you like us to visit next? Share your thoughts on our Facebook page. Atty. Gurfinkel “loves” his audience, so please “like” and “share” our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/ GurfinkelLaw

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Chefspirations

from the kitchen of Chef Ron Bilaro Private chef. TV host. Philathropist.

With the scorching summer heat, sit back and relax with these easy recipes that are low on prep and high in satisfaction.

Ooh La Lam is a cooking program that guides viewers in preparing haute cusine inspired by classic Filipino dishes. Easy-to-follow recipes, tips and an engaging host make watching the show a 30 minutes well-spent. It airs on TFC, Sunday at 5:45pm TFC ALLPST. ACCESS V O L U M E 2 • I S S U E 5 9

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A Dream Come True At 24, Angeline Quinto has achieved a lot-: chart-topping singles, starring roles in a teleserye and a movie, endorsements and numerous awards—all in just three years in the biz. But there is more to this pop superstar than what you hear on the radio and see on the screen as she shares her musical journey, her struggles and the sweetest fruit of her labor—a 500 square-meter dream house By Niña Sherizze de Sagun Photography by Harold Tapan

he clear skies and surrounding greens make the perfect backdrop for the gleaming white modern estate. You enter the main door to find, beyond it, a living room bathed in warm sunlight. The minimalist yet elegant interiors are flawlessly accentuated by shades of green, gray and purple. But the most radiant piece is the warm smile of the woman known simply as ‘Mama Bab’—Sylvia Quinto in real life, she is the adoptive mother of Angeline Quinto, who owns this beautiful new home. Now on her third year in showbiz since her life-changing win in Star Power, Angeline moved in last February, a year after the house was built. On the first floor is a stylish living room with tall glass windows overlooking a swimming pool, modern kitchen and a dining area with whimsical ceiling lights. The basement is home to Mama Bab’s bedroom, a guest room, and a music room where all of Angeline’s photos and awards are kept. On the second floor is Angeline’s spacious room, with its own toilet and bath and a large walk-in closet,

and connected to the first floor by a glass-paneled wooden staircase with coins lining each step, an old Filipino custom based on the belief that doing so will ensure wealth and good luck or, as Mama Bab quips, “Para umakyat sa amin ang suwerte.” In a way, it already has. With this beautiful new dream house, the 24-year-old singer has leveled up from the cramped two-bedroom apartment in Sampaloc, Manila where she grew up. “Every day talaga na nangyayari sa buhay ko kahit dito na ako nakatira, hindi talaga mawala sa isip ko na kapag gigising ako sa umaga feeling ko, nakikitulog pa din ako sa ibang tao na may-ari nito. Hindi ko din alam ’yung feeling kung bakit, pero hindi kasi nangyari kahit sa panaginip ko na magkaroon ako ng ganito talaga. Thankful talaga ako sa Diyos na sa edad kong ’to, parang ang bilis-bilis ng lahat,” notes Angeline.

Mother’s best

Angeline is the biological daughter of Mama Bab’s nephew,

Styling by SYPER ABEL • Makeup by ARCHIE VALENCIA for MAC COSMETICS • Hair Styling by SANDY ODO

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Another view of the living room, which Angeline tries to keep free of too much furniture, décor and clutter. The Star Power champion is obviously a fan of clean, airy and open living spaces. This big new home is a far cry from their former cramped twobedroom apartment in the heart of Sampaloc, but her Mama Bab (below, with her at the piano) makes sure Angeline never forgets her roots. “’Wag na wag daw lalaki ang ulo ko at saka ’wag na ’wag ko daw kakalimutan ’yung mga tao na tumulong sa akin nu’ng wala pa ako dito kung nasaan ako ngayon,” Angeline says of Mama Bab’s constant reminders.

Angeline at her piano which was given to her as a gift by Deo Endrinal, head of ABS-CBN’s production unit Dreamscape. Angeline performed the theme song of Dreamscape’s latest production, the primetime serye Bukas Pa Ang Kahapon. Angeline remembers how, when they were still living in Sampaloc, she used to sing in the houses of her neighbors.

Pops Quiros. Her real mother, Rosemarie ‘Susan’ Mabao, opted to ‘give’ her to Mama Bab even before she gave birth, realizing that she and Pops were on the verge of separation because of the constant fights they were having. In a tell-all interview she granted to Kris TV, Susan said, “Alam ko pong walang anak si Mama Bab. Alam kong hindi siya (Angeline) pababayaan doon kahit maghiwalay kami ng papa niya. Kaysa naman dalhin ko po. Magulo ang isip ko noon, magiging kawawa lang ’yung anak ko.” After Susan delivered Angeline on November 26, 1989 at Dr. Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, Mama Bab signed all the papers and from then on, stood as Angeline’s mother. “Kinuha ko na, lahat ako na ang pumirma…’yung unang sinabi ng kapatid ko, ibigay na sa akin tutal, ‘Wala namang anak ’yan, nasa mabuting kamay naman.’” In the same interview, Angeline revealed that she only learned TFC ALL ACCESS V O L U M E

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Angeline’s bedroom, the only room located on the second floor of the house. Aside from adding freshness and a spot of color to the mostly white interiors, the brightness of the green furnishings reflects Angeline’s cheerful personality. (Inset, opposite page) Two of the many trophies Angeline has received in her three years in the business: on the left, a trophy from Alab ng Mamamahayag (ALAM) for her concert “Angeline Quinto…In Love” and a Best Secular Song trophy for her debut single “Patuloy ang Pangarap” from the 2011 Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA).

that she was adopted at age nine when she had a petty squabble with a playmate. “Meron nga pong isang bata na nakaaway ko noon. Parang away-bata lang po, tapos biglang sabi niya sa akin, ‘Ooh. Ampon ka naman eh.’ Nu’ng sinabing ampon po ako, nagulat po ako, sabi ko, ‘Bakit niya nasabi ’yon?’” Mama Bab, who treated Angeline like her own daughter, never opened up about Susan or anything related to Angeline’s being adopted. And while Angeline started to seek answers to complete the missing pieces of herself, she discovered music.

Prelude to music

A little girl who loved playing on the streets of Bgy. Marzan, Sampaloc, Angeline—called Angge or ‘Ge’ by her family—discovered her love for music as early as six years old when she started singing in the houses of her neighbors. Later at age eight, she started joining amateur singing contests. “Nu’ng una, medyo ayaw ni Mama Bab kasi nag-aaral ako so hindi ako nakakapasok kapag 12

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sumasali ako ng singing contest so sabi niya mag-focus sa pag-aaral kaya nag-aral na lang ako, pero gusto ko talaga kumanta, bata pa lang,” she confides. So intense was her desire that she joined a few competitions without Mama Bab’s consent. “May kumuha nga sa kanya, eh ayaw kong pakantahin; sabi ko ’wag muna kasi bata ka pa. Naku, lumalabas ’yan. Doon sa isang kalye, doon siya nagbibihis, tapos pagkakita ko nasa stage na, kumakanta na,” recalls Mama Bab. Her passion extended even to distant provinces. A family friend, Egay Bautista, whom Angeline fondly calls ‘Kuya Egay’, saw her potential as a singer. Together with other hopefuls, Angeline and Egay would travel to as far as Batangas and Mindoro just to be heard. Not long after at a town contest in Manila, she placed second and brought home P2,000. “’Yung feeling na ’yon, sobra akong natuwa kasi first time kong makahawak ng gan’ong kalaking pera, tapos sinabi ko kay Mama Bab. Siyempre natuwa din siya.” In time, Angeline finally won Mama Bab’s approval to

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let her join more singing competitions. But at 12, her sights were set on an even higher musical ambition: to join a singing contest on national television. Apart from her dream, there was another reason she wanted to audition for Star for a Night (a VIVA Entertainment singing contest aired in IBC on 2002): to see her idol Regine Velasquez in person. So she and Kuya Egay braved the long line of aspirants waiting their turn. Angeline made it to the grand finals where she lost to then-14-year-old Sarah Geronimo who knocked it out of the park with her version of Celine Dion’s “To Love You More”. Her crushing loss at such a tender age made Angeline want to quit her dreams of becoming a singer. “Nawalan na talaga ako ng gana kumanta nu’ng natalo ako sa Star for a Night kasi ang dami ko lang din na-encounter na hindi magagandang bagay na nangyari talaga.” One of these things was having to deal with the sky-high expectations of her own family members. In an interview with abs-cbnnews.com, she revealed that her father and grandmother felt she didn’t practice her contest piece well enough and that this could have been the reason she lost. “Ine-expect ko na sana nand’yan ’yung family ko para i-comfort ako. Tapos sila pa ’yung mga tao na parang sinisi ako.” Hearing them blame her for their disappointment, Angeline felt deserted by her own family. “Siguro dahil du’n sa nangyari din na nu’ng natalo ako, naging masama din ’yung tingin sa akin ng iba. Siguro kasi nag-expect sila nang malaki sa contest na ’yon so nu’ng natalo ako, nag-iba lahat. Sa mga naririnig ko sa kanila, parang naiinis na ako kaya sabi ko sa sarili ko, ayoko nang kumanta,” she recalls.

What drove Angeline to the brink of despair was the feeling of being rejected, that every time she was beginning to find a place for herself, she felt pushed away by someone seemingly better than her. She began to grow tired of trying over and over, only to end up second best every time. She felt like she was locked in a perpetual struggle for an unreacheable star. “Kasi isipin mo, nagsimula ako, eight years old. Parang ilang taon nang walang nangyayari sa akin. Hindi ko na naiisip ’yung future ko,” she recalls. In an interview aired in Cheche Lazaro Presents, Angeline admitted, “Parang feeling ko nga po, mas marami ’yung talo kaysa sa panalo ako kasi ang dami ko po talagang nakasabay dati na magagaling din.” Angeline began to question herself. “After ng Star For A Night talagang sabi ko, ‘Ano ba itong nangyayari?’ Sa lahat ng sinalihan kong contest, hindi man lang ako nagtatagumpay.” Adding to her woes was seeing former competitors gain stardom through singing. One of those was child sensation turned international singing superstar Charice Pempengco. “Sa totoo lang, every time na may mga makikita akong singers na kilala ko na nasa TV, naiinggit ako pero may pakiramdam ako na, ’wag na. Kasi wala naman nangyayari. Sa totoo lang, si Charice, nakakasama ko dati sa singing contest tapos nu’ng nakita ko siyang sumikat, nu’ng naging international na siya, sabi ko, ‘Wow! Si Charice Pempengco, nakakasama ko lang dati, tapos sobrang sikat na siya sa Pilipinas at sa ibang bansa.’ So sabi ko sa sarili ko kung sakaling ipagpatuloy ko ’yung pagkanta ko, makakaya ko ba ’yon? Makakaya ko bang marating ’yung narating niya?’” she states.

Now she even has an entertainment area with a widescreen TV, something she could only imagine having before. The former dreamer from Sampaloc is slowly but surely reinventing herself, making room for everything new in her life and her home. “Marami pa akong pangarap na gusto pang matupad para sa sarili ko, pero siyempre tayo naman, hindi tayo dapat natatapos na matuto o mag-aral so, kung may gusto tayong marating na bago sa buhay natin, kailangan may ipasok din tayong bagong kaalaman.”

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This is every girl’s dream: a walk-in closet of her own. Angeline stores all her clothes and gowns for work here. She even has a full-length mirror mounted on one of the doors. (Below left) Angeline also has an area for her designer bags, which include such internationally-recognizable brands as Miu Miu, Louis Vuittton, and Prada, among others. “Sa totoo lang, hindi naman kasi ako materialistic na tao. Ayoko kasi masyadong sanayin ’yung sarili ko na porke kumikita ako ng ganito, kailangan lahat ng gamit ko e mas high-end na din. Halos ’yung ibang mga mamahaling gamit ko bigay lang din eh.”

Disheartened, Angeline thought of taking her own life. Instead, she found refuge in drinking sprees with friends who seemed determined to lead her astray. “Masakit ’di ba? Dumating sa point na magpapakamatay ako, natuto akong uminom. Totoo lahat ’yon,” she confides.

Becoming strangers

Angeline and Mama Bab became estranged for almost two years when Angeline was 14, Mama Bab admitted in an interview on KrisTV in 2012. She was deeply hurt over what had become of her daughter. But unlike those who turned their backs on Angeline, Mama Bab tried her best to understand the situation. She explained it away by saying: “Nabarkada siya. Masakit sa loob ko pero ’di ko ’yan pinapagalitan e, kasi ’pag papagalitan ko ito, ’di na uuwi.” However, in those bleakest of times, Angeline somehow found her resolve. Envy was replaced by determination. Slowly, she reclaimed the shattered pieces of herself and returned to what she loved most. Angeline dared to give it another shot. The reason was clear. “Dapat dito na ako. Kasi nga gusto ko talagang kumanta. So sa Star Power, talagang kinalimutan ko lahat: barkada ko, lahat ng alam kong ’di magiging maganda. Kumbaga may landas akong gustong marating e. Dinerediretso ko na ’yon,” attests Angeline. The TV plug for Star Power was a go-signal for Angeline to give singing a second chance. She told no one, not even her Mama Bab, of her plans, fearing that history would repeat itself. Angeline only revealed it to her when she had made it as one of the top 20 finalists. “First time na makikita sa TV ’yung mga contestants, so kailangan ang family para manood, si Mama Bab ’yung isinama ko.” In the middle of the competition, in late November came a serious hitch. Mama Bab needed to undergo a heart operation in which a permanent pacemaker was to be implanted to control her abnormal heart rhythm. Angeline

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had to tape for Star Power the same day of the surgery, which coincidentally was also her birthday. “Hindi ko makakalimutan kasi ’yung feeling ko doon sa stage, wala akong inisip kundi kailangan kong mag-stay doon sa contest na ’yon, kasi unang-una, kailangan ako ng nanay ko. Kailangan kong kumita ng pera para doon sa gagastusin sa ospital at sa mga doktor ni mama.” It was truly a turning point for Angeline—labeled ‘the Pop Belter of Manila’ in the contest—as she had to ultimately choose to fight to the finish. The Grand Finals night was scheduled for February 2012. Mama Bab, who was still recuperating, was not in the audience to support her. Her heart specialists had advised that the loudspeakers, the excitement and the large crowd at the Ynares Sports Complex in Antipolo would not be good for her and the fragile state of her health. The silence and suspense in the house was sickening, Mama Bab would later recall, as everyone in her neighborhood was glued to the finals, except her. “Sabi ng doktor, ’wag kang manonood. Ni TV wala, ni radyo wala. Nandoon ako sa kwarto, sa sulok.” And then, the announcement came. After a spinetingling performance of her final song, a Jonathan Manalo-penned inspirational song, “Patuloy ang Pangarap”, the votes were finally cast. Angeline gave such a powerful rendition of the song that her microphone buzzed several times during her performance, with Star Power’s sound engineers shaking their heads at the intensity of her voice.

It was going to be a night that would change her life forever: what Angeline had been waiting for just happened. She had won the top prize. “Tapos nu’ng nakita ko, ’yung katulong namin sa baba, nagsasayaw na. At saka ang dami nang tao sa amin nu’ng dumating [si Angeline], parang kandidato,” Mama Bab recalls. Angeline was named grand champion—and this victory brought forth other successful projects. After recording “Patuloy ang Pangarap” several hits followed. Her first self-titled album Angeline Quinto and the repackaged version Angeline Quinto: ‘Patuloy ang Pangarap were certified Double Platinum, followed by a Platinum award for the album Fall in Love Again. She traveled out of the country for international tours and promotions. In three short years, Angeline had finally made it. “Pag may gusto ka naman talagang marating sa buhay mo at ginawa mo lahat para doon, wala ka kasi talagang ibang iisipin e, ’yung goal mo talaga na marating ’yun. At talagang samahan mo lang ng tiyaga at pagdadasal, walang imposible sa Diyos,” Angeline believes. With such a busy schedule that hardly leaves any time for rest, Angeline values more than ever her new home.

Brand-new home

Angeline used to live in a Quezon City condominium owned by Kris Aquino, who became a big fan of Angeline not just because of her voice, but because of her quirky personality.

Her shoe closet. After winning Star Power, the most expensive pair of footwear Angeline bought for herself was a pair of green Havaianas. The singer always wanted to have Havaianas. “Nu’ng nakatira pa kasi ako sa Sampaloc, gustong-gusto ko na ’yung tsinelas na ’yon. Nagdadalawang isip pa ang nanay ko kasi sa lugar namin nagkakanakawan pa ng tsinelas, ’pag naiwan mo ’yung tsinelas mo sa labas ng bahay mo, kinabukasan, wala na.” Now, she can afford to buy as many pairs of slippers as she wants, along with shoes by designers like Christian Louboutin and footwear by brands like Zara.

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Even with her current success, Angeline remembers that once in her life, she found herself on the verge of giving up singing forever because she couldn’t handle the constant discouragement of losing and the high expectations of her own family. But Angeline dug deep into herself and realized that she loved music too much to give it up—and then the opportunity to join Star Power came along. She took it as a sign that she was meant to go places as a singer. “Nu’ng dumating ’yung Star Power, ’yun ’yung sabi ko sa sarili ko, gusto ko may maabot ako kapag tumanda ako so ito, kaya nagtuloy ulit ako sa pagkanta.”

In 2013, she finally decided to build her dream house. Henson Lee of Great Sierra Development Corporation, the team that built Angeline’s home, met her through her manager Kate Valenzuela. He says: “Angeline kasi wanted to build this house for her mom—si Sylvia (Mama Bab). Actually may name ’yung house, “Star of Sylvia”. Gusto niya mostly white lang ’yung bahay. Kinuha namin ’yung peg na gusto niya. From there, saka kami naghanap ng architect who would match her needs. Nag-sketch ng isang perspective tapos in-improve na lang according to her needs.” While it was being built, Angeline was pretty much hands-on with everything. “Madalas talaga pumupunta ako dito kapag wala akong trabaho. Kahit ako mag-isa, dinadalaw ko ’yung mga gumagawa. Ang sarap kasi ng pakiramdam na unti-unti mong nabubuo. Kung pwede nga lang sabihin ko sa mga nagtra-trabaho na ‘Pwede bang araw-araw n’yo na gawin para matapos agad?” she recounts to StarStudio. She was vocal about the materials and fixtures to be installed. “Nu’ng patapos na, nu’ng nag-o-order na ng finishings, talagang sumasama siyang bumili, ‘Ito ang gusto ko. Ito ang gusto kong kulay’,” Henson reveals. Mama Bab never saw the house as it was being built. Angeline only brought her to the house once it had been completed. Mama Bab was under the 16

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impression that they were going to check out a lot her daughter bought, but to her amazement, it was more than a piece of land. It was a dream coming true before her very eyes. “Nu’ng nilipat niya ako sa condo, tuwang-tuwa na ako e. Wala siyang sinasabi sa akin, tapos dinala ako dito. Sabi ko, ‘Bahay mo ’to?’ Hindi ko naman ine-expect ito talaga. Sabi niya lang, ‘Sa’yo ’to, Ma. Sa iyo.’ Tuwang-tuwa naman ako,” Mama Bab recalls. The all-white interiors are made more elegant by the well-chosen fixtures, including a glass chandelier that hangs above the dining table. Maureen Tan, one of the interior designers, already knew that it would take a splash of color to light the house up. “Angeline has a quirky personality kasi, and she really loves green (incidentally her Star Power winning gown’s color), so I worked around that. So ’yung white, hindi lang naging minimalist, nagkaroon din ng character with the use of color. They’re dainty, and feminine that shows a certain side to her na nandoon ’yung pagka-kikay niya. I just mixed and matched through accessories.” One of the highlights of the house is the swimming pool that Angeline had wanted since she was young. When Angeline learned that her then ailing biological father Pops Quiros—who passed away due to kidney failure in 2013—also wanted a pool, she decided to push through with her plans to have one put in as a sort of tribute to him. The rewards of her success have been more than what she dreamed of. All Angeline wanted was a regular gig so she could support her family. Instead, she ended up with more, successfully transforming herself from dreamer to achiever. Nonetheless, she remains true to the Angeline everyone knew. “Mahirap lang na hindi ko agad-agad maiaalis ’yung mga kinasanayan ko dati, kung ano ’yung kinalakihan ko noon pero paunti-unti naman ang dami kong natututunan at saka siyempre, importante din ’yung mga taong nakakasama ko lagi. Kumbaga sa kanila ako nagkakaroon ng idea sa lahat ng mga dapat kong gawin at hindi dapat kong gawin,” she declares. Mama Bab, now 73, is still her daughter’s pillar of support. Though living a much more comfortable life now, she keeps reminding Angeline of the value of simplicity and thriftiness. All of her success, Angeline dedicates to Mama Bab. “Sabi ko rin dati sana isang araw na buhay pa ’yung mama ko, sana maranasan naman niya ’yung ginhawa ng buhay kasi, simula bata ako siya na ’yung nagtratrabaho, siya ang bumuhay talaga sa akin kahit hindi niya ako tunay na anak so gusto ko lang ibalik talaga sa kanya ’yon.” As she walks around her new home, Angeline fills its airy spaces not only with her contagious laughter but also with her beautiful singing voice. True to the words of her hit song “Patuloy ang Pangarap”, she keeps living by her music. Angeline held tight to a dream that sent her to pop stardom, the same dream that keeps her there.

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At the Star Magic Ball 2013

The debutante in a gown by Mich Dulce

An inimitable style icon, Gretchen’s taste in fashion has evidently rubbed off on her daughter Dominique, who’s taking up Fashion Design at the prestigious Instituto Marangoni in London

Personal style: Like her mom, Dominique’s fashion choices lean toward the classic. She prefers pieces with a timeless silhouette and design, but we also love it when she’s sporting trendy, A-line dress dainty, and by Zara comfy A-line dresses. Fashion design icons: “Azzedine Alaia for the structure of his creations and Alexander McQueen for the way he integrates femininity and masculinity,” Dominique shares. Source of fashion inspiration: “When I moved to London, I was so excited to know more about myself,” she enthuses. “I’ve always been immersed in fashion. I feel like it’s something I can see myself doing for the rest of my life.” When she’s not in school, she loves visiting different museums, especially because she has always been inclined to art ever since she was young.

Personal style: La Greta’s casual style is the perfect example of an effortlessly classy look. Even if she’s wearing Hermés Birkin something simple, like a black or white button-down and a pair of skinny jeans, punctuated with her signature pearl accessories and a designer bag like an Hermès Kelly, she still exudes so much elegance. For formal affairs, while she loves the understated glamor of black, she sometimes goes for bold color choices, like red, and crazy prints. Closet staples: A white, black, or printed button-down; a pair of jeans; a little black dress; a colorful, printed silk blouse; cuffs; a pair of pearl earrings; and a pearl necklace Fashion designers of choice: Ivarluski Aseron, Jojie Lloren, Jun Escario Fashion collection: She loves designer clothes and accessories from brands like Hermès, Prada, Balenciaga, and Christian Printed dress Louboutin, just to name a few. by Mango

When I was a kid, I remember I would get angry with my mom when she would try to dress me up, and my dad would tell her to just let me dress myself.” —Dominique

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In her signature button-down-andjeans attire

In a black Jojie Lloren gown At theatStar the Magic Star Magic Ball 2013 Ball 2013

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(GRETCHEN) Main Photo by DOC MARLON PECJO courtesy of Metro Magazine

(DOMINIQUE) Main Photo by ROY MACAM courtesy of Bench Blog

Gretchen & Dominique

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In a printed drop-waist dress by Plains & Prints

In a green and blue romper by Plains & Prints

Personal style: With her fun, sexy, and fashionforward outfit choices, Anne has made herself one of the most loved young style icons Cat-eye today. People just seem sunnies to always look forward to what she’s going to wear. Her style is versatile—she can go from retro to preppy to glam, and they all suit her well. Another great thing about her is that, even though she’s known to be a fashionista for many years now, she still has some surprises up her sleeves; you’ll never know what outfit she’ll turn up in. And for someone as well-known as Anne, that unpredictability in her fashion choices only means she’s truly in a league of her own. Closet staples: Polo shirts or buttondowns, denim shorts, printed dresses, workout garb (she’s crazy about sunglasses and accessories, too!)

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Personal style: Jasmine doesn’t really consider herself

STYLE ICON

At work in a white shirt, a pair of plaid pants, and booties

fasyon. Though this 20-year-old enjoys fashion, she’s just always drawn to the effortlessly cool and relaxed feel of streetwear. Comfort is her top requirement when picking out clothes. Her style is an endearing mix of girly and tomboyish. In a recent interview with Metro magazine, she says, “I buy pieces that are effortlessly fashionable and that I’m comfortable wearing on any other day.” But when the occasion calls for glitz and glam, you can expect Jasmine to dress according to her age and stun in minimalistic elegance. Closet staples: A white t-shirt, a pair of denim shorts, a little black dress, a comfy pair of sneakers Style icons: Actress Lupita N’yongo and model/actress Suki Waterhouse

In a tank top and skirt by Bayo for a shoot

Channeling Maleficent in a black cropped top and tea-length skirt

Main photos courtesy of PLAINS AND PRINTS (Anne) and METRO MAGAZINE (Jasmine). Additional photos courtesy of the INSTAGRAM accounts of ANNE and JASMINE CURTIS-SMITH

Anne & Jasmine

The Curtis-Smith sisters are different in more ways than one, especially when it comes to their sense of style. Anne is all about glam and being fashion-forward, while little sis Jasmine prefers effortlessly chic streetwear and dainty outfits

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His Finest Season In two decades, Piolo Pascual has proven himself countless times as an actor, producer, and recording artist. He is on his way to becoming this year’s undisputed Box-Office King with the impressive take of his latest movie—and his story is still being written

Photo by RENATO LU (E! PRESSCON)

n most cases, two decades in showbiz may be enough to prove one’s worth, but just when A-list actor Piolo Pascual thought he had experienced everything the business has to offer, a series of surprising career turns made him realize that his story was entering a new phase. This new phase in his career began in 2013 when he chose to become more experimental with his choice of roles, taking on the role of a lawyer in the gritty crime drama On the Job. Then in 2014, he shifted gears yet again and returned to a genre he knew well, playing the romantic male lead in Starting Over Again opposite Toni Gonzaga. The movie earned a little over P500 million at the domestic and international box-office, putting Piolo in serious contention for this year’s Box-Office King award. Then he staged a TV comeback with Hawak Kamay, a feel-good family drama that cast him alongside Iza Calzado, Nikki Gil and young stars Zaijan Jaranilla, Andrea Brillantes and Yesha Camile. He also proved he was still very much an endorsement powerhouse with a new multimedia campaign for Sun Life, but this time

with his 17-year-old son Inigo. The father-and-son tandem appeared in a TV commercial, on EDSA billboards, in YouTube ads and on magazine covers. On top of all that, Piolo returned to producing movies, bankrolling Relaks, It’s Just Pag-Ibig, a youth-oriented movie starring Inigo with several other young actors. Completing the latest round of blessings is an E! News Asia Special airing this September with the spotlight on Piolo as the featured celebrity, making him the first male star to have an international special of his own (the first was Anne Curtis). And he hasn’t stopped breaking new ground. Piolo’s latest project takes him into an entirely new field as the host of Team U, a sports documentary program that aims to discover and help budding athletes. The show is co-hosted by his On the Job co-star Gerald Anderson, and volleyball player Gretchen Ho, Azkals player Armand del Rosario, former Ateneo Blue Eagles Men’s Basketball team captain Marco Benitez, and coach Eski Ripoll. All the good things happening in his career seem to have given Piolo fuel to

keep breaking barriers. Last August 3, he flew to Cebu for the Iron Man 70.3 triathlon, a tough bike-run-swim event in which he joined Team Sun Life as its designated cyclist in the male relay race. Piolo negotiated a two-loop, 56-mile course in the popular sporting event. For an actor who was initially bent on slowing down, Piolo has made a complete turnaround and has been busier than ever.

Starting point

Piolo has an explanation how this resurgence started. “Basically, it all changed when Starting Over Again became a massive hit which, honestly, I didn’t expect it to be. I guess I’m just too cynical when it comes to my movies. But it’s been great since then. And after the movie came out, we started taping for Hawak Kamay. It’s kind of strange because I never thought I’d be in this position had you asked me the same question last year,” he says. Beyond the new projects, there is a deeper meaning to all this. “It made me realize about the Lord’s plans. There’s a verse in the Bible that says, ‘Many are the plans in a man’s heart but it’s the Lord’s plans

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of the situation of the kids as orphans. At the same time, the plot where I play the guardian to these kids, it feels nice kasi I’ve always had this soft spot for abandoned kids. Not to brag, Some actors are wary about working with child actors. Piolo isn’t one of but I grew up them. In fact, he welcomes so-called ‘father roles. “I’m transitioning. It’s appreciating but natural for me to accept more mature roles,” says the actor, here with the young cast of Hawak Kamay (from left) Andrea Brillantes, Zaijan life and feeling Jaranilla, Xyriel Manabat and Yesha Camille. sorry for the underprivileged. that prevail.’ That’s my anchor. I see it They didn’t choose or want to be born completely and vividly happening in my into that kind of life so I wanted to life. As much as I wanted to slow down champion and expose the reality of it all. so I could do other things, now I also People will be able to know na mahirap find myself making time even for sports. din ang buhay ng orphans. Hindi mo I guess I’m back to that grind again. I’m pinili ang sitwasyon mo pero ’yun ang in awe of what God has been showing meron ka. I’m happy that ABS-CBN me, what God has been giving me came out with this concept. It’s an and how ABS-CBN has been favoring advocacy. As an education advocate, I me,” Piolo exclaims, his gratitude can show through Hawak Kamay that overflowing. it’s important for kids to have the right to His career is no less important. education and the right to have a family,” Agreeing to do Hawak Kamay, in which he said. he shepherds a group of young actors, Piolo finds working with kids a was one of the decisions that he sees as refreshing departure from the usual part of his reinvention process. acting experience. “I’ve always believed that it’s an “From the get-go, I knew I was going actor’s responsibility to reinvent to be up for a challenge because I’ll be himself. Being in a soap opera, it’s working with kids. Kumbaga, raw ’yan your obligation to offer the audience eh. As much as I was intimidated by Toni’s something they haven’t seen before,” presence in a movie, nai-intimidate din explains the actor. ako sa kids kasi you’re not sure what He proceeds to enumerate the they’re going to give you. True enough, reasons for taking on the project. “I’ve when I started taping with them, they been doing soaps for years and my gave me their actions and I would react. last one, Apoy Sa Dagat, was my tenth. I can enjoy acting in a very organic way I’m 37 years old and I’m transitioning. with them. All the reactions I give them It’s but natural for me to accept a more are based on how they act kaya ang mature role, like a father. When it was sarap! Kasi I’ve been an actor half my pitched, out of all the other concepts life and you always want something on the table, I found it to be more real new and something that would and more human. Since I’m not getting challenge you so I knew that these kids any younger and my son’s getting into are going to challenge me,” he added. the business, why would I lie about my age? Why would I lie about getting E!xciting project old? It’s natural that you transition and Perhaps, one of the most anticipated you become a parent so it just all came projects ahead for Piolo is his selection together. It’s all about timing,” Piolo says as the latest Asian celebrity to be of his character Gin. featured on E! News Asia Special this Apart from the character that offered September. He is the first Pinoy him the chance to do something new, male celebrity to join other regional Piolo also warmed to the plot and the entertainment powerhouses like concept of the show. Lisa Surihani from Malaysia, Jay Park “I was attracted to the project because from South Korea, Aaron Aziz from 22

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Singapore and fellow Filipino Anne Curtis in securing his very own special on E! Piolo is clearly elated and happy over this new career milestone. “I’m a very private person but even when I was being interviewed by the E! staff, I still showed them around, my condos, where I go and what I do. It’s an opportunity. It’s not even about breaking into the regional market, it’s about sharing. They came to us and they wanted to feature me and it’s a privilege because it’s channel E! It will make me the first Pinoy male celebrity to be featured so why not? This might not happen again so I just gave it all. It’s an honor to be representing the male species in the country,” Piolo beams. In the 30-minute E! News Asia Special which premieres on September 28 at 9PM on E! Piolo will open up about his public and private life. Viewers will get a chance to see Piolo at his most candid, talking about his aspirations and surrounded by the people he loves including his family and his 16-year-old son Inigo as well as stars he’s worked with like Toni Gonzaga and Hawak-Kamay co-star Iza Calzado, among others. “It’s going to be all about me. What they wanted to show the audience is the persona, not just the celebrity but also the character and the personality. This will be shown in more or less 15 to 20 countries all over the region. I basically showed them my personal life and how my day-to-day is,” the actor shares. With all the transitions and a fresh round of career success happening in his life right now, Piolo can’t help but think about his life and the many twists and turns it has taken. “I’m getting used to the transitions. I’m just going with the flow kasi I have to condition myself to this again. I conditioned myself (in slowing down) differently a couple of months back. Obviously, it’s a 180-degree turn. You really can’t underestimate the Lord’s plans for your life. If you think you are ready, you’re safe and you’ve done everything, meron pa pala! For me, as much as I’m overwhelmed by these blessings, I’m also humbled by it. Who am I to discount the Lord’s favor?” Piolo concludes, confident of the higher ground he again walks in this industry. — Grace Diez

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BREAKING BAD

StarStudio visits Jake Cuenca at his Mandaluyong home to share, for the first time, his journey from aspiring talent to serious actor (and presently, a most praised/most hated primetime kontrabida); his life story that will take him from the US and Spain, to the Philippines; and a glimpse into the status of an exciting new relationship

By Robert R. Requintina Photography by Ian Castañares

ver the years, he has successfully transformed himself into a more stylized version of the classic screen kontrabida, making a mark with his various roles on primetime television—and yet there was a time when actor Jake Cuenca did not see any of his current success coming. Born Juan Carlos Cuenca in San Jose, California, USA, on December 30, 1987, Jake began modeling when he appeared in several TV commercials and print ads at the age of nine, continuing on into his early teenage years. The next step would have been to formally enter showbiz, but his own parents tried to nip that in the bud, insisting that Jake come and live in Valencia, Spain where the Cuenca family traces its roots to. They felt that showbiz, with its temptations, gossip and intrigues, was not the right environment for him, and would cause Jake to rebel. If he were away from the Philippines, he would forget about his showbiz aspirations. But that didn’t happen. “When I became a model, it was at the back of my mind na gusto kong mag-artista. At first ayaw ng parents ko, and they wanted me to live in Spain. Pinagbigyan ko sila for a few months. I stayed there, but when I came home, may offer na sa akin ang GMA,’’ says Jake. The offer was for the youth-oriented show Click. The show found its audience and became a cult success, but Jake wasn’t as lucky. He and the show appeared to be a mismatch. “My image was that of a bad boy and they wanted me to act like a leading man or the boy-next-door. Parang hindi bumagay sa akin,’’ recalls Jake. He stayed on with Click, but even after several months, the show’s executives continued to find his performance wanting. He was given a final warning to improve or he would be replaced. Having used his first paycheck and some of his earnings from making commercials to buy a car—a secondhand Nissan Terrano—Jake worried about his future. “I said, ‘What?’ It can’t be! I just bought a car, paano ko mababayaran ito?” He tried harder, but success remained elusive, and that’s when he started to question if showbiz really was the right career path for him. His parents—father Juan Carlos and mom Rachel— renewed their call for him to give up and come home. “In the middle of my showbiz career, tinatawagan pa rin ako ng

tatay ko na pumunta na ako sa Valencia,” recalls Jake. “May mga moments na kahit artista na ako, humihingi pa rin ako ng pera sa mga magulang ko. Artista ako pero hindi ko pa maramdaman na kilala ako ng tao dahil that time hindi pa naman ako masyadong sikat.” But Jake refused to give up. He attended workshops with famed directors Jose Javier Reyes and Peque Gallaga and eventually, his acting started to show improvement. His outlook on showbiz also began to change. “I set aside my thoughts on popularity. I focused instead on how I would earn the respect of my peers and directors. Saka na muna ’yung pagsikat. Bahala na. ’Pag napatunayan ko na sa kanila na marunong akong umarte, maybe people will start to realize that I am for showbiz,’’ says Jake. That was to be an accurate prediction of his future in the industry.

Second wind

He had been taking baby steps thus far, but the big push that really moved Jake forward as an actor came when he changed court and moved to ABS-CBN. The transfer happened in 2006, soon after which Jake was cast in Sana Maulit Muli, his first soap opera for the Kapamilya Network. He later appeared in other memorable television shows such as Lastikman, (2007), Palos (2008), Tayong Dalawa (2009), Rubi (2010), Green Rose (2011), 100 Days To Heaven (2011), Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo (2012), Kahit Puso’y Masugatan (2012), Maria Mercedes (2013) and the toprating Ikaw Lamang where he stars as Franco, the badlybehaving husband of Kim Chiu’s character Isabelle. As of presstime, his Ikaw

Styling by REX ATIENZA • Grooming by KUSIE HO Special thanks to NICOLE SAN JUAN of DANSALAN GARDENS

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Simple yet functional seems to be Jake Cuenca’s design philosophy. The sparsely-furnished but very masculine living area (this photo and below, left) suits him just fine. Although this is a condo unit, it does not look crowded or cramped—even with Jake’s bikes close by—because he keeps the rest of the space clutter-free.

Lamang character has achieved the status of ‘most liked/most hated’ by netizens, viewers and fans, the wild buzz truly a winning testament to his effective portrayal. The once-reluctant actor has now truly arrived. In between his TV shows, Jake also made a stab at the movies. He became successful at that too, winning a Best Supporting Award in the 2012 PMPC Star Awards for Movies for In The Name of Love directed by Olivia Lamasan. Two years after that, he leveled up again when he bagged a Best Actor nomination from the 2014 Queens World Film Festival in New York, USA, for the indie movie Nuwebe, a film about rape and incest and how a child victim deals with the trauma. Jake played a father who abuses his own daughter, a challenging role for any actor to sink his teeth into. The film was exhibited in the New Breed category of the 2013 Cinemalaya festival. As the only Filipino actor nominated in that category, Jake described the feeling of being nominated in an international film festival as “flattering”. Now, his hard work and perseverance are paying off. “For once, natutunan ko na kung ano ang gusto ko sa buhay. Noong nasa school ako, hindi ko alam kung ano talaga ang gusto ko. When I was a kid, I wanted to be a football player. Gusto kong Philippine team and play professionally. But when I entered showbiz, I knew that more than anything, I wanted to become a good actor.’’ He has achieved that goal. Along with the growth of his stature as an actor has come financial success. Now that Jake is earning well, the award-winning actor has asked his parents, along with siblings Rufo and Bea, to join him in the Philippines. “I’m so blessed to have a supportive family. We are not superrich but my parents make a decent living. They are architects. Ako na ang nagpapaaral sa mga kapatid ko dito sa Pilipinas,’’ says Jake, the second child in a brood of three. From trying to get Jake to come home to Valencia, his mom has turned into Jake’s number-one supporter. “Kapag may trending sa Twitter that’s related to me, siya agad ang nagbabalita sa akin. Before kasi natatakot ang parents ko sa magiging effect ng showbiz sa akin. I was quite the rebel type noon. Baka daw ’pag pumasok ako sa showbiz, lalo akong maging rebelde. Pero naging happy sila nu’ng napaganda ng showbiz ang buhay ko,’’ adds Jake. Showbiz has also brought Jake an ever-growing circle of friends. “Paulo Avelino is my best friend. Dennis Trillo is also my best friend. Magkakapitbahay lang kami dito sa Mandaluyong. Minsan si Paulo kasama na rin sa mga family gatherings namin.’’ When Paulo moved to ABS-CBN, critics said Jake and Paulo would become rivals for plum assignments in the same network. But the best friends proved them wrong. “Nu’ng dumating si Pau, madami ang nagsasabi na may similarity kaming dalawa. Seryoso din siyang actor at pareho ang packaging namin. Sabi nila may kakumpitensya na raw ako, pero nu’ng nagkakilala na kami, tugma kami. We’re good friends and we share the same passion sa movies. When we did Status: It’s Complicated, lalo kaming naging close. I’m also close friends with Raymond Gutierrez. I have different groups of friends. It’s such a 24

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small industry naman.” Jake doesn’t really believe in competition, but he thinks that his biggest competition is himself. “Ikaw lang ang makakapagpakita sa tao kung magaling ka, or professional ka. If you are well-prepared, ganado ka magtrabaho, walang rason para magreklamo ang production staff.’’

Simple living

For more than four years, Jake has called this Mandaluyong condominium, with a view of the Makati skyline, home. The neighborhood Jake lives in is a middle-class one, and he likes it here because his relatives in the Philippines have always lived in this part of Metro Manila. His unit is located on the third floor of a four-storey building owned by his family. Rather than move out to a bigger home to befit his celebrity status and meet his growing space requirements, Jake chose to have the place renovated, which will start soon. “’Yung katabi nitong unit, nakuha ko na rin at ready na rin for renovation,’’ Jake tells StarStudio. “Siguro aabutin ng ilang buwan ang renovation. Pinag-uusapan pa namin ang interior.’’ For now, Jake’s units are just enough for a bachelor like him—simple and cozy. The living area is done in minimalist style. The unit has enough room to hold items that are important to Jake, from the eyecatching refrigerator decorated with his collection of magnets, to the TRX suspension training exercise equipment where he works out to get his blood going when he wakes up. “I’m not a morning person. But as soon as I wake up, gumagamit na agad ako ng TRX equipment for several minutes. (The TRX equipment, a full system of pulleys, straps and weights used for suspension training) helps promote weight loss, body toning, sports-related training, core exercises, strength and conditioning. “After that, pumupunta na ako ng gym for full exercise. I have to stay fit because sometimes may mga photo shoots or events na biglaan. That’s why I have to keep fit all the time,’’ says Jake, who is apparently addicted to staying in shape. “Minsan, ’pag wala talaga akong ginagawa, sa umaga pa lang pumupunta na ako ng gym. Then sa hapon, bumabalik ako. Ganun ako ka-addict sa exercise,’’ says the actor. In a corner near the window is another conversation piece, a replica of a Bultaco motorbike. Bultaco is one of Spain’s oldest manufacturers and distributors of two-stroke motorcycles, dating back to 1958. “Dinala namin ang bike na ito from Spain,” says Jake. “It was built by my dad seven years ago. This has been his

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dream bike ever since he was young. Nasa Spain pa siya, pangarap na niya itong motor bike na ito. Eto ’yung unang bike na nakatawid ng Paris Dakar Rally (an off-road endurance race that began in 1979, and which runs from Paris, France to Dakar, Senegal), then ’yung bike ko na nasa kuwarto, ’yun naman ang unang bike na nakaakyat ng Mount Everest,’’ says Jake. There is a big LED television mounted on the living room wall where Jake spends hours watching sports shows and action movies. At the time of StarStudio’s visit, Jake, like most true-blue sports fans, was deeply into the then-ongoing 2014 FIFA World Cup Games in which he was rooting for Team Spain. Unfortunately for him, Spain did not win its semi-final match. On the center table, we find books and imported magazines, some of which are about fashion, a field that he admits he is really hooked on. “Madalas akong magbasa ng mga fashion magazines dahil hilig ko talaga ang fashion. Reading keeps me updated on the latest trends here or sa ibang bansa,’’ says Jake. One of the books the actor is reading these days is Hollywood acting coach Ivana Chubbuck’s The Power of the Actor, which made it to the Los Angeles Times bestseller list. Chubbuck, a recent Manila visitor who conducted workshops for ABS-CBN/Star Magic actors, has trained award-winning Hollywood stars such as Charlize Theron, Brad Pitt, Elisabeth The first time StarStudio paid a visit to Jake’s pad years ago, some of his shoes were lined up on the steps leading to his unit because he didn’t have enough closet space in his bedroom. Now, he has a whole cabinet just for his collection of footwear. He uses most of the pairs for work.

One area of Jake’s home is set aside for his toy collection. He has different action figures, including one of the iconic Captain America, a toy line manufactured by Hasbro, Inc. Already familiar to comic book readers, superhero fans and toy collectors around the world, Captain America was an American soldier in World War II who was given a serum that transformed him into a physically perfect human. He wears a patriotic costume with the same red, white and blue of the American flag and wields an indestructible circular shield.

Shue, and Halle Berry. After Ikaw Lamang, Jake plans to take a short break from showbiz and study in the US where he will take a short course on scriptwriting and acting. “I don’t see myself as a future director. Mas nakikita ko ang sarili ko bilang writer. For every role that I do, I keep a diary of that certain role. So before mag-start ang shooting, may character na ako na binubuo. ’Pag binabalikan ko ’yung mga ginawa ko noon, there’s a story. So from there, kaya kong gumawa ng kwento,’’ he says. Although he has earned excellent reviews for his role as Franco in Ikaw Lamang, Jake says he does not have any dream roles, adding that everything he has done in showbiz in the past is a dream come true. “I just try to do different things. Gusto ko lagi akong may bago na pinapakita sa mga tao. ’Pag pare-pareho ang role, na-bo-bore ako. For Ikaw Lamang, I ended up with the role of Franco kasi I was supposed to do Juan dela Cruz and hindi ako natuloy. I had to choose between that and Maria Mercedes. I chose Maria. So after taping Maria, gusto ko, iba naman. Hiningi ko talaga kila Sir Deo (Endrinal, head of Dreamscape Entertainment Television, producer of toprating dramas) na gusto kong maging villain sa next teleserye. Napaka-suwerte ko rin talaga na I can do both. Kung meron man akong specialty, ’yung pagiging kontrabida, that’s what I do best.’’ Jake has a very clear goal for himself, a hunger for excellence that shall never be satisfied. “I work hard as an actor. I want to be known as one of the best actors of my generation. And I want to be known as an actor who is not afraid of taking any role. I wanna break away from stereotypes in the industry. Sa Ikaw Lamang nag-start ako na good guy pero now I’m breaking. That’s the fun part in acting. You go to extremes sometimes.’’

Jake in love

But then, along with the kontrabida/hunk packaging comes certain things, like a reputation for being a ladies’ man. And yet he only laughs it off. “Umpisa pa lang, ganu’n na ang TFC ALL ACCESS V O L U M E

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He and Australian model Chanel Olive Thomas, 20, appear to be a solid couple, but, according to Jake, “we have not discussed marriage yet. But I am considering marriage in the near not-so-distant future.”

impression nila sa akin,” says Jake. “When I was just starting, barely earning, ganun na ang tawag nila sa akin. Sino ba ang magkakagusto sa’yo kung ganu’n? Oo, gwapo ka nga, pero wala ka namang pera.” Of course, those were the days when he was still a struggling actor. In the past, he has been linked to six actresses: Roxanne Guinoo, Bea Alonzo, Sam Pinto, Melissa Ricks, Lovi Poe, and Jessy Mendiola. Asked to comment about them, says Jake: “They are good girls. But being in a showbiz relationship, I never had a feeling of being free. It’s hard when people look at you na pareho kayong taga-showbiz. Masakit pa rin when they go on talk shows and disclose our failed relationship. As much as I try not to be affected, masakit lalo na when I hear interviews. I don’t want to name names. Lahat ’yan iniyakan ko. In every failed relationship, you learn something and you don’t wanna do it again.” As a boyfriend, Jake describes himself as “maalaga’’ to his girlfriends. “Sobra akong magmahal sa kanila,’’ he adds. With a rosy movie career and a string of business ventures that include a franchise of the Elorde Boxing Gym on Shaw Boulevard, and a brand of environment-friendly shades and possibly soon, a restaurant and clothing line, people have wondered if Jake is preparing to settle down with his latest girlfriend, 20-year-old Filipino-Australian model Chanel Olive Thomas. Chanel traces her roots to Cairns, Queensland, Australia and is connected with an international modelling agency imagency.ph with strategic alliances in several countries in Southeast Asia, Brazil and the United States. The 5’9” fashion model, who admits she never had a boyfriend in four years, arrived in the country in February. Since then she has been working with popular clothing brands here and abroad. Chanel exclusively shares with StarStudio how she recalls meeting Jake for the first time. “My friends and I were at a party. Then our common friends introduced us to each other. In the first place, I really don’t have any intentions of dating an actor because I’m focused on my career in modeling. Then it 26

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just happened.” At the time, says Jake, Chanel was unaware of his celebrity status. “Dati hindi n’ya alam na artista ako. We are not so concerned about what other people will say because it’s a normal relationship. In the past kasi, puro de numero ang galaw ko kasi showbiz ang mga girlfriend ko. Pero iba ngayon. The first time I saw her, hindi ko na talaga s’ya pinakawalan.” Their first date happened at Rockwell Center in Makati where they watched the movie Divergent, but they formally became a couple during a holiday with friends in Bali, Indonesia in April 2014. For now they are traveling separate career paths. But what if Chanel decides to join local showbiz? Jake says he will support her. “No problem with that. So far, she’s focused on modeling and eventually she wants to become a TV host. ’Pag nangyari ’yun, I will support her.” Chanel, who has already met Jake’s family, is into long-term relationships and does not approve of flings. “I’m 20 now and this is the time to get serious with relationships.’’ She adds that she is not the jealous type or threatened by girls who admire her boyfriend. “He’s good-looking, yes, but I’m not worried about girls around him. I trust him. At the end of the day, you will bump into many pretty people in the world. And if you will get worried, then why be in a relationship?’’ she says. It was never a big deal for Chanel to date an actor like Jake. “I came from Australia, actors here and there are different. So for me, if you’re an actor, I can still be your friend if you are a good person. I want to get to know who you really are.’’ A bubbly and positive person, Chanel says she is proud of her boyfriend. Fans have witnessed that on Instagram, where the couple has been posting photos of them acting sweet towards each other. Adds Chanel: “When I was growing up, my mom and aunts would watch Tagalog films and that’s how I see the typical roles. But Jake is not doing the typical ones.’’ Chanel is also busy studying online and has enrolled in a crash course in Pilipino. “I’m learning how to speak Tagalog for the next three months. That’s one of my main priorities now. When I watch Ikaw Lamang I don’t understand it in full. I just kind of get it,’’ she says. Chanel plans to spend Christmas with Jake in the Philippines this year. She’s also hoping to go to Palawan with him soon. “I’ve heard a lot about Palawan. They say it’s a beautiful place. If his schedule will permit, I’ll ask him.’’ So what makes them a perfect match? “What makes us work is that our personalities just blend,” she says. And yet, for all the closeness that exists between them and the love that they feel for each other, Jake says that marriage is not yet seriously on the table. “Marriage is important. But right now, there are still a lot of things I want to do. Hindi pa dumadaan sa isip ko ’yun, but I’m looking forward to married life.’’ And, we might add, to a lot of other beautiful things, in the bright future that is right before him.

To read the full feature, download the digital edition of StarStudio from www.zinio.com/ starstudio or the iTunes App Store

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In a few short years, she captured the interest of a public that never really knew who she was until now. StarStudio reveals the untold story behind the myth that is Ellen Adarna—who she is, where she came from, and how she became showbiz’s hot and current ‘It girl’ By Tinna S. Bonifacio Photography by Xander Angeles

ythical, magical, mysterious. Like the bird of the colorful plumage from 18th century Philippine folklore, she came out, seemingly from nowhere, emerging quietly and transforming herself into showbiz’s hot new sensation, the girl everyone is talking about, and—in a country seemingly transfixed by a need to ascribe titles for this and that—the new ‘Pantasya ng Bayan’. In the flesh, Ellen Meriam Adarna—and yes, that really is her name, and not the creation of a brilliant tactician or publicrelations person—stuns with her beauty, deep-set eyes, dangerous curves and earthy sex appeal, but also with who she’s not. And every move she makes just seems to add to the myth.

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The facts will bear this out: more than 5,000,000 hits on YouTube for her well-shot, conceptualized and titillating fitness videos; a recognizable face and gloriously sexy body that has graced some of today’s top glossy magazines; a multiple-picture contract with Regal Films and an endorsement of her bright future in showbiz from no less than Mother Lily Monteverde, who built up some of the industry’s biggest, hottest stars; major endorsements, one of which is for retail giant Bench, which put her visage on an EDSA billboard located at the intersection of two of the country’s major thoroughfares; and a top-rating afternoon serye, Moon of Desire. Her director FM Reyes attempts to explain the mysterious fascination the public has for this hot new star. It’s her attitude that makes her so irresistible. “Ang maganda ay ’yung attitude n’ya na ‘I am this, take me or not!’ She’s so carefree, ‘Nalasing ako! Nagsaya ako, eh. May in-enhance sa katawan ko—eh, gusto ko alagaan sarili ko, eh.’ She’s just confident about who she is. One time, may nang-bash sa kanya about her English, well, she answered na it’s because she has a regional accent. At proud na ipinagsisigawan na Bisaya siya. Sa set, ayun, palakad-lakad na nakapaa. Sasalampak sa sofa o kung saan. She makes everyone feel like she’s one of us. Eh ’yun ang nakaka-sexy sa kanya. Walang effort.” People can say that in so short a time, this sweetfaced girl with a thick Cebuano accent and devil-maycare attitude has shot herself to stardom. But who is Ellen Adarna?

Hometown girl

Ellen traces her roots to Banilad, a barrio of Mandaue, Cebu, where the Adarna family owns a chain of motels. There is a break in our cover shoot, and while the crew is setting up for the next layout, Ellen heads outside and waves for us to follow. “I’ll just smoke, ha?” We oblige her, as she sits down and starts to tell us about her childhood. We discover that like most of what surrounds the myth of Ellen Adarna, it is hardly what can be called typical. “We had different houses, we moved from house to house,” she begins, drawing a long puff on her cigarette. “I lived in two houses when I was younger. Actually, ang weird ng situation, kasi we had a compound, and then my lola (her paternal grandmother) lived in this house, and my dad lived in that house, and I used to sleep a lot in my lola’s house; parang she kind of adopted me. And then I went back to my family. My dad got me na when I was

six years old. I was always back and forth. We were always house-hopping.” In high school and college, her living arrangements changed yet again. For a time, they had a house, but they were, in Ellen’s words, “in and out”, spending most of their time in their father’s workplace. “I lived in the office because we had motels in Cebu, and what my dad did was in every branch, nagpapagawa siya ng penthouse, then during summer vacation, we would stay there, and me and my brothers would go to work in the office downstairs.” With this unique set-up, she was exposed to working for the money—and for a possible future as her father’s successor. She worked as a cleaning lady, did kitchen work, checked the laundry and visited their various construction sites. Ellen is the only girl and the eldest of five siblings. But being the only girl didn’t mean she got special treatment. What her father made her brothers do, she did too. Her father insisted on it. Ellen even remembers her father telling her once that, while she was his only daughter, he would want to treat her like a son—and he did. Ellen worked alongside her brothers while they were growing up. “My parents had money, but us kids, we didn’t. We had to work for it. I started working when I was in Grade Four. I remember my dad—we’re into construction, we build our own motels and condominiums—so what he would make us do in the summer, he would pay us P20 every day, and we would make hollow blocks. So I learned how to make hollow blocks.” He also told her, “‘Never belittle yourself. What guys can do, you can do, so I’m not going to treat you like a princess.’ I grew up being like that,” she says. Her mother, by comparison, is more relaxed. “My mom is very cool, typical housewife, she’s like my best friend and worst enemy. “Mas jologs siya,” says Ellen. Easily, from the way she narrated her story in English (as most Cebuanos are accustomed to use) and street Tagalog—all with a charming Bisaya tone— we would find her so at ease with the world, someone who doesn’t really care how other people perceived her. “My mom, walang say. It’s always my dad. But my mom and I, we also had our issues. Growing up kasi, I was very pasaway. Nag-o-over the bakod ako, tumatakas ako sa bahay to make lakwatsa, and one time, I got huli, and my mom made me sermon. And my dad naman was saying, ‘Ah, just leave your kids alone. If you want your kids to grow, set them free. Let them be. Babalik din ’yan.’ Magkaiba talaga sila. My mom is half-Chinese, so medyo conservative, but my dad (who is one-fourth Spanish) is very strong.”

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I don’t think of myself that way. It’s so weird, it’s so strange. I’m not. For me, it’s just a job. Nagkataon lang. Hindi talaga.” – On how she feels about being called the new ‘Pantasya ng Bayan’ Despite these occasional episodes, Ellen describes her life growing up in Banilad as “a very chill life, very laid back kasi probinsya, very relaxed, very comfortable”. Though of course, her summers would be spent not lazing on the many beaches in Cebu, but working. “It was fun,” she shares. “My daddy just didn’t want to see us doing nothing. So with him it was ‘Bahala ka diyan, kahit mali, basta you’re doing something.’ ’Yun ’yung training niya sa amin.” This kind of existence made Ellen a go-getter and independent. It was good practice for when she came of age and had to be on her own. Her family adopted the American practice of children living independently, and leaving the parental home once they turned 18. “Not naman getting kicked out of the house, but we lived in one of those pads in the motels, then mag-isa na kami doon. But of course we still got to see each other because my dad would visit, and sometimes we would go home.” Neither Ellen nor her brothers ever questioned their unusual lifestyle. “He (my dad) has his own reasons, and I don’t know why, but now I get it, because I have friends who still live with their parents at their age (Ellen is 26) and they’re still very dependent, very needy, ganoon. So thankful din naman ako, na ganoon kami before.”

Identity crisis

The story of how Ellen crept into the public’s consciousness is, again, anything but typical. It was actually a case of mistaken identity. “In-interview ako before ni Jessica Soho about identity theft, and this was when I was 17 or 18.

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Kasi may mga tao na ginagamit ang pictures ko, or name ko para manloko sa Friendster (a defunct social networking website) dati. Akalain mo naman na may magnanakaw ng pictures?” she says, incredulous. “There are a lot of people who reached out to me, who told me their story, na ito ’yung nangyari, humihingi ng pera, ganito-ganito, drama-drama—and I wasn’t even a celebrity then. I was in high school pa (and still living in Cebu). Napag-trip-an ako, unfortunately. Some of them would extort money, or some would have online boyfriends or relationships, pero ang ilalagay nilang picture doon was mine. Kaya dati, ang dami kong boyfriend, hindi ko alam!” Although the interview generated some publicity, it didn’t make Ellen a star. With her youthful, classy mestiza look as her key advantage, she tried out in modeling gigs, going on go-sees and doing VTRs, and schooling in Cebu, until about a year later, when her then-manager called and asked if she was interested in doing more work in Manila. “After Jessica interviewed me on the identity theft issue, nothing happened,” she says. “Wala. Keri on, parang same lang din. I was still in Cebu. I talked to my dad and I resigned (from working in the motels), eh timing naman na my manager contacted me and then sabi, ‘Are you interested ba to be an artista?’ I was like, sige, tutal wala naman akong trabaho, wala akong pera. I’m not doing anything. Pumayag ang mom ko, wala na rin kasi siyang magawa.” She was 19 or 20 at the time. “Nasa Cebu ako, and when they offered me, I left kaagad. I didn’t even talk to my dad na, because we were fighting at the time. I just spoke to my mom. I don’t think nagulat siya kasi alam naman niya before that I was into modeling. So I don’t think it was a shock for her, but I think in her head, she was saying, ‘Sige, i-try mo na lang ’yan.’” Her father was not too happy with her decision. “Gusto niya kasi, mag-work ako for him,” says Ellen. “If I remember correctly, he said it (the plan to move to Manila to pursue a showbiz career) was foolish. (He told me) ‘What you’re doing is very foolish. Foolishness.” Over her father’s objections, Ellen went ahead with her plan. She got into GMA-7, where she did a few projects like Bubble Gang, and landed small roles in soap operas. But the big break continued to be elusive. Finally, it reached a point where Ellen was considering going back home to Cebu again. “Masuwerte na I had some projects, but it was that (Bubble Gang) and mga guesting sa soap. Minsan

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Despite her sexy image, Ellen says guys have not propositioned her. “Alam siguro nila na susuntukin ko sila.” That’s not an empty threat: Ellen was in third year high school in Cebu when one day, strolling in Ayala Mall, a man brushed against her breast as he crossed the corridor. The corridor was wide, and there was a lot of space, so she couldn’t understand why he needed to walk so close to her. She turned around, walked up to him, and punched and kicked him. “Ang laki niyang tao, ang liit ko (Ellen is 5’1”). Pero sanay ako sa suntukan with my brothers. So wala akong pakialam. That’s one of the perks of having brothers, you learn martial arts.” TFC ALL ACCESS V O L U M E

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may taping, pero di naman major role, at minsan lang. I survived on guestings.” Around July of last year, she was released by GMA, but decided to postpone going home for a few more months, in the hope that she would land something. “I wanted to leave na also kasi parang wala namang nangyayari,” she says. Then she made a decision that ultimately changed the course of her life. “I was planning also, ‘Okay, wala akong pera,what am I going to do?’ So I said, ‘I’ll enjoy my last six months here, then I go back to Cebu (which was supposed to have been January this year).” Then she thought of Pia Campos, a friend she had met during a photo shoot for Diether Ocampo’s UNO Magazine, several months prior. Ellen knew that Pia, who had a network of showbiz contacts and knew some industry people, could probably help her. “Sabi ko, ‘Ah si Pia!’ I knew Pia from before pa. So I called her, and I told her about my plans. Sabi ko, ‘Pia, mag-mo-model na lang ako. Can you help me?’” Pia urged Ellen to stay and try to make a go of things. “She said, ‘Ay naku girl, hindi, i-push natin ang ABSCBN, i-try natin, malay mo?’” Pia agreed to help Ellen because she believed the girl had potential. Aside from her good looks, there was a certain quality about her, an earnestness that Pia doesn’t always see in showbiz newbies. Pia and Ellen had a series of meetings with the network’s top management, including Channel 2 Head Cory Vidanes, TV Production Head Laurenti Dyogi, Business Unit Head and director Ruel Bayani, and Dreamscape (producer of top-rating dramas) head Deo Endrinal. This was around September or October last year. Pia told them, “May bago akong talent, meron na siyang following (at the time Ellen had about 80,000 followers on Instagram), you might be interested.” They sat down, and it was, according to Pia, a very candid and spontaneous meeting. “They asked her about her background, questions like, ‘Are you crazy?’ They also told her, ‘You can’t be catty here.’ And she told them, ‘Hindi naman ako mahilig makipag-away.” A few weeks later, they called her with an offer to be one of the lead stars of a new daytime soap: Moon of Desire.

Shooting the moon

Her role as Dr. Tamara Herrera, rival of the show’s lead character, radio DJ Ayla Ricafrente (Meg Imperial), became Ellen’s career breakthrough. It brought her to a wider audience and more important, gave her a steady source of income, and a reason not to return to Cebu. Slowly, Ellen’s following grew. Director FM Reyes believes that part of Ellen’s appeal is because she is so teachable.

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“Bukod sa magandang ilawan, at magandang angguluhan dahil nga sa maganda, (what is good about Ellen) is her willingness to learn. While she’s a newbie yet so popular, wala siyang air of arrogance na mararamdaman ka while working and teaching her. Sige lang, work lang siya, try and try until things work out well. ’Yung maraming baguhan kasi, they don’t have the same passion as the real dedicated ones. Eager, probably, pero ’pag nagkasubukan na sa hirap, attitude na lang ang naiiwan. Siya (Ellen), she works hard for it. Like her voice, and the way she speaks, sabi ko, ‘You have to study how to use your sound na hindi matinis— and she tried to work on it.” Pia agrees. “Right now, Ellen is still raw and is learning a lot as she goes along. She’s also very candid and real and people love that about her. She doesn’t take herself too seriously. There’s actually not that many people like her who can comfortably switch from being an artista and back to being a normal girl.” We get that from watching her intently during this more than hour-long conversation. She leans back in her chair, and draws her legs up until she is sitting comfortably, Indian-style, her legs peeking out from under the loose and short silk caftan top she is wearing, with her shoulder-length hair gathered in a loose tumble on top of her head. Her gestures are neither contrived nor studied. They are not the learned posturings of a star conscious of every camera angle. Even when it comes to her sex appeal, Ellen is almost dismissive. She does not seem obsessed by her title as the new ‘Pantasya ng Bayan’. “Diyos ko!” she laughs. It’s a deep, throaty laugh that tells you how ridiculous the idea seems. “I don’t think of it that way. It’s so weird, it’s so strange. I’m not…” she says, trailing off, not knowing what to say next. “I just don’t think about it. For me, it’s just a job. Nagkataon lang. Ang weird, no? ‘Pantasya ng Bayan.’” So where does this sexiness come from? “I don’t know. ’Di ko din alam. My personality? Chos,” she says, lapsing into gayspeak for ‘just kidding’. “Siguro sa pag-emote ko lang sa camera. I didn’t deliberately try to have a sexy image. I think it started when I was younger, picture-picture, sige, sexy photo shoots. Sabi ko, ‘Okay, sige, go, wala akong pakialam’ until naging ganoon na, nasanay na, talagang wala na akong pakialam. Pahubarin mo ako, sige, maghuhubad ako. It’s a job.” She is comfortable in her own skin. She’s not selfconscious; she doesn’t see a need to be. Baring and daring? “No one stops me, even my dad doesn’t care, so kebs,” she declares. “Brothers? Wala din. My brothers and I are very close. But the thing is, our dad never meddled with our personal decisions. Like kung sino ang boyfriend ko, wala siyang

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pakialam. We were raised that way, so I guess, it’s the same with my brothers, they don’t make pakialam.” Fortunately, she has not encountered people who have been bastos to her. “Everyone who goes to me and asks for a picture, mabait naman. Sometimes, if I’m with my boyfriend, they ask permission from him pa if it’s okay. ’Yun ’yung mga mautak.” She doesn’t wear sexy or revealing clothing as a rule. “There are times that I do. If my friends say, ‘O, dressed to kill’ tonight, e di sige, ‘dressed to kill.’” But on her ordinary days, she reverts to her most comfortable, easygoing, one-of-the-boys getup— and the real, simple, fuss-free Ellen is revealed. “Most of the time, I don’t (dress sexy). I just wear leggings and a tank top, or a t-shirt.” Friends from Cebu who’ve known her swear that even with her celebrity status, Ellen today is still the same Ellen they knew. “Ellen then and now is exactly the same,” says one of her longtime Cebubased friends, furniture designer Vito Selma. “She’s always been unafraid of anything. What you see is what you get. She’s not pretentious at all.” He also shares a little-known but interesting fact about her: “What most people don’t know about Ellen is how she really loves to eat. She might look really tiny, but she can eat like a man.”

Men of desire

The ‘Pantasya ng Bayan’ title comes with a certain image. People think that because Ellen Adarna is who she is and because of the way she looks, that she has men falling at her feet. The truth is, she has been in a steady relationship for the past year with businessman Raoul Olbes, who is 31 to Ellen’s 26. “I’ve known him before pa, mga six years ago, and something happened, hindi lang natuloy. Weird kasi ’yung ending namin before. Parang it was hanging, walang closure. Then I had two boyfriends after him. When I broke up with my last boyfriend, ayun na, naging kami na. We met again last year through a common friend who is also one of his (Raoul’s) best friends.” At the party, and with a few drinks having passed her lips—her way of mustering up some courage, as later scenarios would illustrate—Ellen told him only one thing: “You know, if you took me seriously before, I would have pursued you.” Raoul did not need any more encouragement after that. He kissed her, and that was that. Raoul fits in with Ellen’s preference for older men. Ellen, who had her first boyfriend at age 12— he was a province mate from Cebu, three years

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text na three days na (parang) it was nothing?” Right now, she is very happy with Raoul. Her sights are set on having a family, but not necessarily with the benefit of marriage. “I just want to have kids before marriage,” she tells StarStudio. “My dad also told me before, ‘Don’t get married na, just have kids and be successful. You don’t need a man to be happy.’” Does she believe that? “I don’t know. Like I said, I’m very happy with my boyfriend right now, but I am not yet ready to get married. But I do want to have kids. Gusto ko may anak first.” She remembers telling Raoul once that she didn’t just want a child, she specifically wanted a goodlooking one—a straight-to-the-point, albeit amusing condition: “Maninigurado lang ha? If pangit ang baby and you turn out to be an asshole, lugi ako. At least kung magkakaanak ako at guwapo ang baby, and he (Raoul) turns out to be an asshole, okay lang, at least kung guwapo ang anak ko, hindi naman ako lugi.” Her final words on the matter: “There are people who are happy being single, who are single moms and are happy. Happy ako eh. I can be alone, but my boyfriend right now makes me happy. I know I’ll be fine.”

Controversy

Along with the rise in her celebrity status have come the inevitable issues. The most prominent of these was the interview she granted to TV Patrol’s Marie Lozano, after the ABS-CBN trade launch last March, at the height of the intense Vhong Navarro-Cedric LeeDeniece Cornejo scandal. In that interview, Ellen—who admits to meeting Cedric, and hanging out with him a few times socially and in the company of common friends (“Although we’re not close”; Deniece, she does not know, nor have they ever met before)—sounded incoherent, confused and distracted. The video made the TV Patrol broadcast, but was

Images from the Instagram account of ELLEN ADARNA

older than her—has never had a boyfriend younger than she is. “I don’t know why, but I was just never attracted to younger men, or men my age. They’re just really not my thing.” He has no problems with Ellen’s image. “He’s very supportive,” she says. “He’s very nice. Even my yaya and driver, when we fight, they’re the ones (who go) ‘Ma’am, huwag.’” Ellen admits that having grown up with a strong father image and four brothers, her sensibilities on love and relationships are very masculine. She’s not exactly submissive. “The thing about me,” she begins, “is I’m very complicated, and I’m so selfish. They (men) have to adjust to my personality. Sa umpisa pa lang, when we started going out, nilatag ko na, ‘This is me, this is what I do, now take it or leave it.’ I’m very upfront. Kasi in the past, I’ve had boyfriends who would try to turn me (into someone else), and change me, pero wala. Hindi pwede ’yon sa akin. You just have to understand me and accept me the way I am, kasi loyal naman ako na tao. Just let me be.” So what does Ellen Adarna look for in a man? She’s petite—believe it or not, the ‘Pantasya ng Bayan’ stands 5’1 —so a guy being tall is a priority on her list. “Matangkad, with broad shoulders and a nice back,” she says. “Basta matangkad, ’yung guwapo, bonus na lang ’yon. At saka funny dapat, may sense of humor. Mahirap kasi ako (intindihin) na tao. May topak ako, so I need someone who will understand me. Hindi naman kailangan mayaman, basta hindi ka lang inuutangan.” Counting Raoul and the one she had when she was 12, Ellen has had seven boyfriends. One of those seven was basketball player JC Intal, who is now engaged to TV host Bianca Gonzalez. In an interview she granted right after the press conference of Moon of Desire, she described her time with the former Ateneo Blue Eagle star as “Ang pinakamalabong six months ever in my life. May boyfriend-girlfriend ba na ’di magte-

Ellen often posts photos of her and businessman-boyfriend Raoul Olbes on her Instagram account (@ellenmgadarna). These include events they’ve attended, dates they’ve gone on, and their trips. She doesn’t hide the fact that they’re a couple, and have been one for a year now. 34

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Images from the Instagram account of ELLEN ADARNA

subsequently uploaded to the Internet. People rabidly reacted. It went viral, with the title, “Ellen Adarna’s message to Deniece Cornejo”. Ellen says, “It was taken out of context.” She readily admitted that she was drunk while being interviewed—though the true story behind her drunkenness was never revealed, until now. Apparently, her strange incoherence—that made the newscast’s viewing audience feel so odd about her—was the consequence of an intense fear of performing in public. That day, she was nervous about being made to dance with the rest of the Moon of Desire cast at the trade launch. “Never ako nakapag-trade launch, hindi ko alam ’yung gano’n. And I don’t dance. Eh sabi nila, ‘Kailangan ka sumayaw kasi isa ka sa main cast.’ Nagpalifting-lifting na nga lang ako, kasi hindi talaga ako marunong sumayaw.” So, as with people who are not too confident about facing big crowds—with a performance she was not at all comfortable with—she turned, once again, to alcohol. So before the show started, “Ayan na—and I asked permission—sabi ko, puwede bang uminom? Wala ba itong interview o speech-speech? Sabi ng team, wala, okay lang, so uminom kami sa backstage, pampalakas ng loob ko. Kasi ’pag nakainom ako, feeling beautiful, confident, kaya (ko) mag liftinglifting.” For that, Ellen had a bottle of tequila. Backstage, she drank, straight from the bottle, finishing almost half of it. She didn’t expect to be interviewed right after— and the rest was history. “So lasing-lasing na, nagpainterview (ako), parang tanga,” she says. “Ang tanong nila, specifically, ‘What are your thoughts about rape, as a woman?’ parang something like that.” Ellen’s response to the question was: “The only thing I have to say is like, you know, as a woman,

you shouldn’t allow things like that. Every detail, like even…ah, ah…what do you call it, like parang touch? If you feel like you’re violated, you say it out loud, you say it to the people, to the person, that ‘You can’t do this to me. Why now? Why now, in public?’ You know, you have all the rights, women have the right, to show what we can do…ah…we have our rights… so for me, it’s like…for me, honestly, Cedric is my friend…” and left it at that. Pia shares that it didn’t take long for the alcohol to find its target because that day, Ellen was both tired and hungry. “I know for a fact that day na she was very exhausted,” says Pia. “We had an early morning meeting in Libis, we were there at 10AM already, and after that, we had a quick lunch, then we had to go to Makati, with all that Friday traffic because she had to fit the clothes she was going to wear for the trade launch, and from there, she had to go to the Mall of Asia, and it was traffic also, so pagod na rin talaga siya that day, and she didn’t naman eat a lot, so mabilis siguro siyang tinamaan when she was drinking.” Looking back, Ellen felt so embarrassed about the entire situation. “Ako naman, lasing-lasing, tapos iba pa ’yung headline, iba pa ’yung answer, tanga-tanga talaga. Double tanga. Tanga-ness to the nth level.” The morning after, she awoke to find a trail of nasty comments on her Instagram account. Other people had uploaded the video, making fun of her English, claiming she said “violin” instead of “violated” and countless other grammatical lapses. One of those spoof videos was titled “English pa!” Pia—who is of the opinion that Ellen used the term ‘friends’ loosely—also saw the comments and videos, and texted Ellen the following day, asking if she really did consent to be interviewed. Ellen, proud but apparently unaware of what happened because she was intoxicated at the time, replied

Ellen loves taking “selfies” and she’s not afraid to show herself almost barefaced as she often posts photos of herself wearing only lipstick and cheek tint. V O L U M E 2 • I S S U E 5 TFC ALL ACCESS 35

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to Pia with a resounding “Yes!” with matching exclamation points. Ellen explains what happened: “I knew na iniinterview ako, pero wala lang. (Kapag lasing ka), friendly ka, feeling mo, friends kayo (ng lahat). Hindi ko din naman inakala na ganoon…” she says. “People were making fun of me, I was bashed online. I was struggling na nga, I was struggling to talk, mali talaga, mali lahat.” She set her Instagram to ‘private’ so she wouldn’t have to read the comments, which were getting more hurtful by the minute. “The morning after, I was in despair,” recalls Ellen. “For mga two days, three days. Ang dami talagang nang-bash. (They were saying things like) ‘Sige, English ka pa nang English diyan!’ ganoon-ganoon. Galit sila sa accent ko. Bisaya lang naman ang accent ko, hindi naman ako laking States. Hello?!” What did she learn from the experience? “’Wag magpapa-interview ’pag lasing ka. I think if may mga issue na ganoon na medyo ‘havey’ (or ‘sensitive’), and I’m asked for my opinion, I’ll just shut my mouth na lang. Quiet na lang.” The other issue that has catapulted Ellen to the forefront of the public’s consciousness is the sexy exercise video she made, where her left nipple was allegedly seen. There are actually three videos of her circulating. Two are promotional videos for Bench Body, one of which shows her jumping rope; and the second, a kickboxing video, both shot with her wearing sexy attire. The third, and the most talked-about, is a boxing video that she shot as a favor for a friend taking a film course at New York University (NYU). The concept of the video was “The Seven Deadly Sins,” and Ellen’s sin was wrath (or anger), hence the boxing, “kasi di ba ’pag galit ka, gusto mong manuntok?’ The boxing video shoot was “a fun day, a fun shoot,” says Ellen. “Magkakaibigan kami lahat. And we did

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it for fun lang. Sabi ng friend ko, ‘Do you want to do this?’ Sabi ko, ‘Let’s do that. ‘O sige, inom lang tayo while we’re doing it.’ We were drinking. Lahat. And then sige, boxing, boxing, boxing. Pili ng mga damit. O eto. Paano?” she says, referring to the sexy, loose top. “Makikita ang ano (boobs).’” Their solution was to put what Ellen calls “cuchinta”, a soft, gel-like patty that’s supposed to conceal the nipple areas. But every time Ellen would perform the boxing moves, the “cuchinta” would fall. “Sabi ko, ‘Ah, I know na. Band-Aid. Skintone na Band-Aid. So ang ginawa namin, naglagay ng Band-Aid na nakashape ng X. Eh ’yung Band-Aid, kakulay ko. Akala nila (it was my nipple), but what they saw was not my nipple. That’s why I didn’t answer anymore ’yung questions ng mga tao. I thought (at the time), let it remain a mystery.” One video of Ellen you will never see anywhere, though—and this, despite her sex kitten image—is a sex video. For her, sex is a private thing. We ask her for her thoughts on the issue, especially as it involves celebrities. “I have friends who’ve done it, and hindi naman lumabas, pero napagkukuwentuhan namin. It’s unfortunate na may lumabas na ganoon, but for me, don’t record it na lang, especially sa technology now. But me, I would never do it.” The worst video of her that you would probably see is one of her intoxicated, or being carried bodily out of a club in a drunken state. “Happens to everyone, right? At saka hindi ako confident, ano, my God. Ano ito, performance? Kailangan talaga i-perform? ’Pag pinanood mo, parang ‘Ay, nakakahiya, ang pangit, ang awkward.’”

Love, dreams & the future

At the end of the day, Ellen Adarna, the woman of almost mythic proportions, is revealed to be someone quite ordinary, whose sensibilities on

Ellen (second from left) with her Moon of Desire co-stars (from left) Miko Raval, Dominic Roque, Meg Imperial and JC de Vera and (right photo) with the show’s staff and crew. Moon of Desire has been Ellen’s biggest break so far and has led to many other opportunities for her.

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The thing about me is I’m very complicated, and I’m so selfish. They (men) have to adjust to my personality. ‘This is me, this is what I do, now take it or leave it.’ I’m very upfront.” – On allowing men to get close to her love and relationships are almost masculine in their orientation—we’ve heard someone once describe them as “going to tomboyish”—and whose thoughts on sex are not necessarily racy or titillating, but what you would expect to hear from anyone else. Now that her star is rising, it’s obvious that she won’t be going home to Cebu anytime soon. She has bagged two major endorsements, and will start shooting the first of several movies she is to do for Regal Films. At her contract signing, Regal matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde predicted Ellen would have a bright future in show business, “kasi krung-krung din ito kagaya ko”. Ellen admits that yes, she does have a ‘krung-krung’ side. “Maybe it’s because I don’t care about what I do, or what other people think about me, or I just say whatever I want to say. I may party a lot, so medyo loka-loka ako. Ewan ko. Ever since I was younger, ganoon ako. Ever since before. I get that from my father. I get that gene from the Adarnas. That’s why my dad understands me.”

Some treasured family photos of Ellen that she posted on her Instagram account. (From left) With her brother Danton; an undated family photo she captioned #Throwback and a photo of her and father Allan that she posted on Father’s Day and captioned, in part: “Happy Father’s Day to the coolest dad who never meddles in our personal life because he thinks it’s right to make our own choices.”

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Her ways have endeared her to other celebrities, one of whom is, no less, the Queen of All Media, Kris Aquino. During a guesting on Aquino and Abunda Tonight—another guesting that made her nervous— she confessed to Kris that during her high school years in Cebu, she wanted Kris to adopt her. “Her life is so fabulous, and me, my parents didn’t give me everything, they didn’t give me the things that I wanted, and I was like, ‘Oh my God, buti pa si Kris, she’s so fab, and she has everything. I want that. Gusto kong magpa-adopt so I can borrow her stuff. I wish my mom was like Kris.’” At one point, they started chatting about hair extensions, and Kris gave Ellen the number of her hairstylist who, she said, “makes nice extensions. They don’t look fake.” Ellen is glad that she stayed and made the decision to tough it out in Manila instead of going home to Cebu after six months. Had she done that, she wouldn’t be where she is now. Her dream for herself—which she shares with Pia— is to buy a house and to become financially secure. “Lahat ng ito, I never thought of it, it just happened. For me, whatever comes. Yon lang ‘yon. But dreams?” At this, Pia re-enters the conversation. “Gusto lang niya ng maraming pera.” Ellen admits as much. “Siyempre gusto ko ng maraming pera, ayoko maging poor. Sino ba’ng gusto? Kayo ba, pinangarap n’yo maging poor? Siyempre hindi. Kaya nga nagtratrabaho tayo lahat, ’di ba?” Pia agrees. “And it would be nice, hindi ba, kung bumalik man siya sa Cebu, hindi siya uuwi (at magsasabing) ‘I have no money. I have nothing.’” The last word, however, belongs to Ellen. “Tapos pagtatawanan ako ng tatay ko. ‘See, foolish girl?’ Istupida.’ At least now, if she does return to her old stomping ground, she will return in triumph. It will be a homecoming she—or her provincemates—won’t soon forget. The Ibong Adarna has landed.

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Choose Your Own Adventure Ellen Adarna’s answers to our ‘This or That’ questions reveal how funny and delightfully quirky she can be

LIGHTS ON OR LIGHTS OFF? Gusto ko naman makita. Ano, bulag?

MEN OR BOYS? Men. Because men are easier to deal with than boys.

PAJAMAS OR LINGERIE? Lingerie. Because lumaki akong naglalakad sa bahay na naka-panty lang. Fact ’yan. Wala akong pakialam. Nasa bahay ako, naka-panty lang. Mga until high school, ganoon ako. As in, punta ako sa kitchen, nagluluto (ganoon ang suot ko). ’Yung mga kapatid ko na lalaki, wala rin naman silang pakialam. Hindi naman ako nakahubad. May sando ako, pero naka-panty lang.

SUNRISE OR SUNSET? Sunrise. Mas maganda ang sunrise. Actually both are beautiful, pero siguro dahil hindi mo masyadong nakikita ang sunrise. But when I was in Boracay, and when I lived in Cebu, ang bahay namin nasa mountain, and I’d see the sunrise, sabi ko, ‘Wow, ang ganda’. Although hindi mo nga nakikita everyday compared to the sunset.

MORNING OR EVENING? Evening. Maldita ako sa umaga. Nagkukulong ako sa banyo for one hour. Ever since I was young, at alam ni yaya ’yan, nagkukulong talaga ako. Ayokong may nakikitang tao, ayokong ginugulo ako. Nag-lo-lock ako sa banyo for mga one hour, at nagyo-yosi, bago ako kumalma. Hindi lang talaga ako masaya for the first three hours in the morning. Nagigising ako ng mga 6AM o 7AM. I need my space and my quiet time. IN THE SHOWER, OR IN THE BATHTUB? Shower. Eh paano (sa bathtub)? Malunod ka pa. ICE CREAM OR STRAWBERRIES? Ice cream. At ang daming flavors ng ice cream, ang strawberry, isa lang.

SOFT OR HARD? Soft. Kung kakain ka ba ng steak, gusto mo ba ng matigas? CHEST HAIR OR BARE? Bare. Mas neat. Ayoko ’yung ’pag iki-kiss mo, ‘Ay, may hair?’ NICE OR NAUGHTY? Nice. Naughty na ako eh. So nice na lang para ma-balance. SEXY OR STUNNING? Stunning. Kasi stunning is appealing, right? Sige, ano’ng gagawin mo sa sobrang sexy pero pangit? Baka walang tumingin. Compared sa hindi masyadong sexy, pero ’pag pumasok ng kuwarto, wow! Eh di doon ka na lang sa stunning.

WINE OR CHOCOLATE? Tough choice. Pareho! Chocolate wine? Pero sige. Wine. ’Yung tama ng wine. HELLO OR GOODBYE? Hello. Goodbyes are so sad. Just hellos. No goodbyes. PLEASURE OR PAIN? Pleasure. Sino ba ang may gusto ng pain? Ayoko ng pain.

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To read the full feature, download the digital edition of StarStudio from www.zinio.com/ starstudio or the iTunes App Store

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