The treasures of Donita Rose

“Back then, people saw me as somebody who was never good at anything.”

For someone who is as lovely and smart as Donita Rose, who would have thought that people had the wrong impression about her before? But Donita shares that these criticisms inspired her even more to prove that their perceptions are wrong. And she really did. For 24 years now, she has truly taken the spotlight as one of the most talented TV personalities in the Philippine entertainment industry. Because of her witty personality and passion for hosting, Donita did not think twice in accepting the offer to be part of the ongoing GMA 7 morning talk/variety program, Basta Every Day Happy.

After finishing her one-year culinary course at the Academy for International Culinary Arts, she flew to the Unites States with her family and worked in various high-end restaurants where she learned to cook global cuisines. Just when she began to establish her cooking career, Donita received a call from the Kapuso network for a hosting stint.

Donita shares that Basta Every Day Happy matches her vibrant personality, making it way different from her previous shows. “This is not necessarily a cooking show or just an ordinary morning show. It’s about everything happy. I’m excited kasi ang concept ng show na ito ay out-of-the-box and I’m always willing to try something new. In everything that I do, I want my personality to reflect my style. I’m not a comedian, but I love comedy.”

Meanwhile, Donita admits that becoming an MTV Asia VJ was a big turning point in her career because it was where she learned the value of professionalism, which helped her succeed in show business.

Despite being a celebrity already in the Philippines, Donita was determined to pursue her dream of becoming an MTV VJ. In 1997, Donita became a VJ in Singapore. However, she shares that it was not a walk in the park.

“I was going through some problems at that time. I auditioned for MTV and they did not get back to me for a while. Shortly after that, I had an encounter with Christ and that changed my entire life. A few months later, that’s when I got the call to be a guest VJ,” says Donita.

Here are the other treasures in Donita’s life.

Most treasured person

Donita, who is known for being sociable, shares that she loves “people” in general, stressing that she has a long list. But the Kapuso TV host considers her husband Eric Villarama and her 10-year-old son Joshua Paul as her life’s most treasured people.

Just recently, her son came back to the Philippines to be with her for good, while her husband will be in the country for her birthday in December. On coping with a long-distance marriage, Donita says, “We’re both struggling but this is just a temporary thing. We’re giving it 10 months to decide.”

Most treasured thing

Donita reveals her spiritual side by sharing that her Bible remains her most treasured thing because she is a “sinful” person.

“It grounds me every day, it sustains me kapag medyo na-a-out of balance ako. I just want the love of Christ to flow through me. I want to make sure that everything that I say will glorify God,” Donita notes.

Most treasured place or travel destination

When it comes to her life’s most treasured place or travel destination, it is a tie between Santa Barbara in California and Boracay. Both places gave her lasting memories that she will cherish for the rest of her life.

“I love Santa Barbara because it’s where I got married with my husband 11 years ago. I remember we held it on a cliff, overlooking the ocean,” she says. “Boracay also has a special place in my heart because my husband and son enjoy being there.”

Most treasured advice

With her God-fearing personality, Donita discloses that she was very active in ministry when she was still attending a Bible school in Singapore. During that time, she met a pastor who gave her a life-changing advice.

The pastor wanted to challenge her to make God her first love. Donita was surprised when she heard him say that, because she believes that she never lacks when it comes to her spiritual growth.

“He just knows that the time will come that I will eventually get married and he wants me to develop the habit of making God my first love. Kasi kapag Siya raw ang first love ko and I develop the practice of going back to my first love, and my husband also runs back to his first love, God will bring us back together,” she says.

Most treasured moment

Donita is very honest in admitting that she is a person full of sins. So she is very quick in saying that she treasures the time when she completely surrendered her life to Christ the most.

But she also mentions that the day she and her husband made their vows at the altar, the moment she gave birth to her son and the time she became an MTV Asia VJ and a chef are also among her treasured moments.

Most treasured moment as a Kapuso

The Basta Every Day Happy host is very thankful to GMA Network and gives it credit for helping her become what she is today. “I would not know what I would be now if not because of GMA. Maybe, I will just be a shy girl who is sheltered and lost,” says Donita.

Donita is happy in sharing that the time her wedding special was aired on GMA was the same moment she felt the love of her Kapuso family, saying that it was the highlight of her career. It was aired worldwide, making Filipinos abroad witness the momentous event in her life.

Most treasured show

It all started in December of 1989 when Donita took the limelight in the field of showbiz. She clearly remembers she was invited to go to GMA Network’s hit teen variety show, That’s Entertainment, where German “Kuya Germs” Moreno noticed her stunning looks and magnetic charm.

She then joined the auditions, sang Radio Romance and passed. That’s Entertainment remains her life’s most treasured show because it marked her stardom in the Philippine entertainment industry.

Why Donita treasures her show Basta Every Day Happy

“I treasure the people in this show — everyone is just so happy to be with. I love making people happy. I believe that God is faithful because He knows the desires of my heart, dinala Niya ako dito. Although hindi siya religious show, I’m always trying to find a way to let everything that I do glorify God. And I think this show makes me fulfill His purpose for me,” says Donita.