Motherhood sets Katrina Halili on concrete path

CEBU, Philippines - Katrina Halili might be playing her nth mean girl in a TV series, but the 30-year-old doesn’t mind the seeming lack of variety in her roles.

As the main nemesis of Ken Chan’s lead character in the transgender-themed GMA-7 afternoon series “Destiny Rose,” Katrina yet again tackles the familiar territory of an eyebrow-raising, face-slapping, hair-pulling and just all-around nasty lady. Cookie-cutter, yes. Yet the former FHM’s Sexiest Woman for two consecutive years is just glad to be a busybody in the showbiz industry.

“I’m happy that at least I have work. The set is happy, and for me, that’s what’s important,” she says. “Keysa naman mag-antay at mag-antay ako ng role. At mabait naman ako in another soap opera before this project. But I’m always typecast as a villain, kasi bagay daw sa akin ang nang-aapi. Malakas kasi ako mang-asar.”

Given the luxury to pick a meaty assignment, Katrina remarks that she’d love to play twins who are polar opposites. “Yung meron akong maipakitang mabait na side, aside from the bad. Para makita nila na kaya ko.”

When not taping episodes for “Destiny Rose,” Katrina says she’s just typically at home, cooking or working up a sweat with cardio exercises. Her three-year-old daughter Katie with ex-boyfriend Kris Lawrence likewise takes up most of her time. Now attending pre-school, Katie is dropped off at school and fetched by Katrina herself whenever time permits.

Katrina says she’s open to popping out more babies – provided that the future father could afford to comfortably provide for a large brood.

“Kapag nakapangasawa ako ng kayang bumuhay ng marami. Mahirap magka-baby, ang daming gastos,” she laments. “Ang mahal ng school. Ang batang-bata pa, pero parang nagpapa-aral ka sa Poveda!”

For now, while she only has Katie to focus on, Katrina shares she’s saving up double time, so that when her child grows a bit older, she’d have had enough stashed away and would not have to work as much.

“If I become super rich, I see myself being a stage mom,” the “StarStruck” pioneer batch member says. “Kailangan ako yung bestfriend niya, ako yung lahat. Kaya kailangan magpayaman na ako, para hindi ko na kailangan masyado mag-work when time comes na kailangan ko siyang samahan.”

Told she radiated a genuinely happy countenance, Katrina points out her sources of bliss these days: “My daughter keeps me happy. Tapos nabayaran ko na lahat ng bills ko, so wala na akong iniisip na problema. I’ve already paid for my house in full. At least may mga naipundar ako sa tagal naman ng pinagtrabahuan ko.”

Among these investments Katrina shyly disclosed is the eight-room Pa-Lao-Yu Dive Resort in her hometown of El Nido, Palawan which she co-owns with a sibling. Her “Destiny Rose” co-star Ken reveals the Kapuso star has other numerous income-generating ventures, truly transforming herself into a fiercely independent single mom.

Is she now stable enough to not break her back as much? “Slight!” Katrina quickly replies with a grin. “Kaya super happy diba? Ang gusto ko pang gawin is another investment maybe in Tagaytay or Laguna so that I have somewhere to go to during weekends. Kung hindi ko ginagamit, pwede kong gawing AirBnb diba?”

Katrina says her business acumen stems from the survival instincts borne out of being a mom. “Of course, I already have a baby, and habang tumatanda ako, nagiging mas mature na ako. Hindi tulad dati, hindi naman sa waldas, pero hindi ako nakaisip na mag-invest. Now, I want to invest in properties and study Culinary or Baking, so that in case I don’t have work, I can put up a bakeshop. Kasi yan ang hilig ko. Mahilig akong magluto.”

 All this talk of preparing for a secure future, but no special guy to share it with? Nonsense, for the Katrina of 2016 will tell you she has since learned not to depend on men for happiness. 

“Masaya nga ako eh. Kasi bata pa lang ako…dati, I always longed for love from a boyfriend,” says Katrina, who claims she’s been single for over two years now. “Now that I’ve learned how to be happy with my life, hindi pala talaga pagmamahal ng boyfriend ang hinahanap ko. Nagkaroon ako ng baby. Naging okay ako as family ko. Dati kasi, sa boyfriend mo hinahanap yung love.”

When asked what qualities she’s particularly looking for in a husband, instead of counting off her requirements, a now truly wizened Katrina declares, “Ang dami ko ng pinagdaanang palpak, so kailangan yung next, asawa na. Kaya aantayin ko na lang kung anong ibigay sa akin ni God.” – VAB (FREEMAN)