Cebu's Diva Montelaba determined to make it in showbiz

CEBU, Philippines - Diva Montelaba (whose real name is Hyacienth Diva Mantalaba) has graciously accepted her defeat at the recently-concluded StarStruck V, although she believes, as what many a Cebuano supporter of hers wholeheartedly believes, that she also has what it takes to be winner.

While she said she honestly doesn’t know what the StarStruck Council and the viewers saw in Sarah Lahbati that made her more fit for the Ultimate Female Survivor title than her, she looks at the results as the handiwork of destiny. “Between me and Sarah, we don’t compare what she has, and what I don’t have. Maybe it’s not my time. It’s Sarah’s moment,” the 19-year-old told The Freeman after the Final Judgment night of GMA 7’s StarStruck V held Sunday night at the Araneta Coliseum.

Diva, who was caught making the sign of the cross repeatedly while waiting for the results, was asked what she prayed for: “I prayed that I could accept the results and that I would be strong.”

“I don’t want to be hypocritical and say that I don’t feel sad over the results because I do, but 5 percent only. As it is, I feel fulfilled already! Being ‘First Princess’ is a great prize.”

She is also unabashedly proud that it was 23-year-old Steven Silva of Davao City who won among the male contenders, saying that his win is also a triumph for her being a regional contender. The two admitted that they are very close to each other since the onset of the competition—although actions like holding each other’s hands onstage and offstage hint of a possible romantic attraction between the two.

Diva never thought that a complete unknown and very regular girl like her from the southern town of Minglanilla would get this kind of break at national show business. She recalls that growing up, she was like everyone else; she would cross streets and ride tricycles drawing nary an attention. “Karon, I cannot do that anymore,” said the Tourism undergrad and reigning Ms. University of San Jose-Recoletos, whose fans collectively call themselves as Divaholics.

Now that Diva has one foot at the door so to speak, she vows to make the most out of it. She also reveals her dream projects, one of which is to be part of the likes of SOP, where she could showcase her versatility and budding performer skills. All throughout the StarStruck season, she got to showcase this talent, but it was at the Finals Night that proved that the stage could be hers.

This didn’t go unnoticed among the members of the StarStruck Council namely Floy Quintos, Iza Calzado and Lolit Solis, saying it was the performance wherein she exhibited the most joy in performing. Asked what she had to say on such comment, she explains the “lack of joy and enthusiasm,” as reflective of her lack of confidence. “I came to this contest with a lot of insecurities, from my probinsyana background to my skin color.”

Another project that she’d like to have is a soap opera, and she’d like to do contrabida roles.

StarStruck has opened a whole new world for Diva, and she said she never would have made it to the finals if not for her supporters, especially from Cebu. She assured supporters that she’s taking to heart the advice of the StarStruck Council which is not to be afraid to fly, and yet keep her feet on the ground.

Diva feels that StarStruck is just the beginning and she is right. Breaks are hard to come by, but staying power is harder. The real winner will actually be revealed several years down the road. And if and when everyone else would quit and disappear, she hopes she’ll still be there, standing. — NMT