The joys of being Jolina

So you think that the life of Jolina Magdangal is an open book?

Think again.

Did you know, for instance, that she was named after Filipina model Jolina Zandueta whose picture Jolina’s parents, Generoso (Jr.) and Paulita Magdangal (nee Perez), saw in Vogue magazine?

Did you know that Jolina’s mom got so fond of lechon de leche during her pregnancy that’s why Jolina was as tiny as a doll at birth, weighing only 4.5 pounds (so she had to stay in the incubator for one week), with her left ear curled like that of a lechon de leche (check it out the next time you see Jolina)?

Did you know that Maria Jolina Magdangal keeps a framed picture of The Blessed Mother who looks surprisingly like her beside her bed (the prize photo was given to Jolina as a gift by a friend who got it in New York)?

These hitherto unknown "basic facts" about Jolina cropped up during a Conversation with the Magdangals as we toured their mansion-like two-storey house in the Don Antonio Estates in Quezon City, a few turns away from the Ever-Gotesco-Commonwealth mall. The mansion occupies 900 square meters of a 1,000-meter lot which the Magdangals bought, later having the old house completely renovated and given a distinct "Magdangal touch" (Greek-inspired columns dividing the living room from the dining room, with the interior decor done in shades of green).

Staying in the mansion, besides Jolina and her parents, are the household staff, with Jolina’s older sister and younger brother (who are staying in the two other Magdangal residences in Tandang Sora, Quezon City) sometimes sleeping over.

On the Monday afternoon we dropped by, Jolina had just come from a TV promo for her latest movie, Star Cinema’s Kung Ikaw ay Isang Panaginip, directed by Wenn Deramas and also starring, among others, Close-Up endorsers Leandro Muñoz and Rafael Rosell IV. Off screen, Jolina is still her typical bubbly self, no pretension whatsoever. "What you see is what you gett," she smiled.

Being a role model... Is it hard to live up to being Jolina Magdangal?

"Actually, you know, by percentage ’yan, e. I would say that 90 percent hindi mahirap. I’m not doing what I’m doing deliberately para sabihing role model ako. The remaining 10 percent, medyo mahirap. You see, I’m also human, I’m still human, a typical girl my age (23). Sometimes, I want to go to a party at siempre, during a party medyo umiinom ka ng kaunti. When people see you, they’re shocked, ‘Si Jolina, umiinom!?!’ by the time nakarating ang balitang ’yon sa newspaper, hayun, lasenggera ka na."

Ano’ng brand ba ang iniinom mo... Tanduay?... Lambanog?... Kuwatro kantos?

(Laughs) "Mild drinks lang naman. ‘Yung hindi nakakalasing. You know, pa-drink-drink lang para lang sabihing nakikipag-party-party ka. But I have to watch out, baka sabihin ngang naglalasing ako."

So you’re careful, careful.

"Careful but not to the extent of being afraid. In the first place, I’m not the type who’s fond of bar-hopping. I’m not really fond of drinking. Water, oo! But not hard drinks."

So there’s nothing put-on about you. What we see is what we get?

"Yes, that’s right. What you see is what you get. Nothing put-on. I’m just being myself. If people read about my family being intact it’s because our family is really intact."

And you’re really fond of trinkets... accessories?

"Ay, mahilig. Mahilig na mahilig! Right now, I’m experimenting. Gradually, I’m changing naman my image dahil dalaga na ako. Siempre, my fans are growing up and growing older, so I’m growing up and growing older with them. We are growing up and older together. But I’m doing it slowly, ayokong mag-drastic change because I have a new breed of fans na mga bata. I don’t want to lose my kiddie fans. Sabi nga ni Ate Kris (Aquino), ‘If your fans are kids, it means they really like you for what you are.’ With kiddie fans kasi, they don’t look at you as sikat; with them, if they like you at first sight, then ’yon na. Idol ka na nila."

Ikaw nga, you seem to be forever a child, an Eternal Child, forever a child at heart.

"That’s why we came up with the Jolina Dolls (which can be dressed up according to the owner’s taste; one Jolina Doll even sings a Jolina Magdangal love song!). Kami ng Daddy ko ang nagisip n’un. I really wanted to come up with a doll patterned after me, para nabibihisan ko."

You’re really fond of dolls...

"Not just dolls but dressing up dolls. You know, mga damit-damit, mga fashion-fashion, even when I was a child. It was only when I entered showbiz na medyo na-enhanced ang hilig kong ’yan. Before showbiz, ginagaya ko sina Madonna, but only at home. In school, simple lang ako; hindi masyadong makolorete. But now, it’s okay to stroll in the mall na medyo fashionable ka dahil artista naman, e."

What’s the best thing about being Jolina Magdangal?

"Siguro... Let me see... I get to meet all kinds of people; iba’t-ibang klase, from all walks of life. Alam ko kung sino ang dapat pakisamahan ng mabuti at kung kanino ako dapat magtago something about myself. Also, I’ve been to places I never thought I would see, places na pinapangarap ko lang mapuntahan when I was a kid. Before, I thought hanggang pabali-balita na lang ako sa mga relatives ko in the States. I never thought na buong pamilya kami pupunta roon."

How many (foreign) places have you visited na ba since you became an artista?

"A lot. ‘Yung iba, binabalik-balikan namin. I’ve been to several places in the States... Europe na lang so far ang hindi ko pa nararating. I want to go to Rome and Paris... especially Paris. Sabi nila, romantic daw ang city na ’yon. Wow, how romantic siguro!"

You should go there with your, ehem, beloved.

"Gusto ko with my family muna. While there, I’ll look for the most romantic place so when I go back with my beloved, as you say, may pupuntahan na kami."

Of the places you’ve been to, which is your favorite?

"San Francisco. It’s one city na gusto kong balik-balikan. And Australia. A nice country, a quiet country. Sydney is a nice place to retire in. Tahimik."

And what’s the worst thing about being Jolina Magdangal?

"A lot! As in ang dami-dami. Because my image is wholesome, ang daming taong naghahanap ng butas sa akin. Hinahanapan ako ng faults. Sometimes nga when I’m invited to guest on talk shows, they ask me, ‘Wala bang intriga tungkol sa’yo?’ What for, di ba? Many people think na ang suwerte-suwerte ko; they don’t realize the fact that everything that I have now, everything that I am now, ay pinag-hirapan ko, with the help and support of my parents and my fans. Talagang product of blood, sweat and tears."

What was the worst intriga/tsismis circulated against or about you? Is it the pregnant yarn (spread by her detractors against whom Jolina and her family seriously thought of filing a libel case)?

"Yon. Yes, ’yon! I promised myself that I wouldn’t cry on TV. But when that foul tsismis come up and Daddy and I guested on The Buzz, talagang I tried to control myself but I still ended up crying. I was really mad, galit talaga ako! They destroy the name and reputation that you work hard for... ganoon na lang ba ’yon? They manufacture and invent nasty tsismis against you... ganoon na lang ba ’yon? Di ba? Ganoon na lang ba ’yon?"

Don’t you feel "trapped" in that kind of image?

"Not really ‘trapped.’ You see, I try to grow by constantly reinventing myself. Careful lang ako kung papano ko iha-handle ’yung mga fans kong bata. I do the ‘reinvention’ gradually, unti-unti, para hindi naman mabigla ang mga fans. It’s not like... ‘Bukas, iba na ako!’ No, it’s not like that. Dahan-dahan. Step by step. Talagang pinagaaralan, pinagiingatan."

How would you sum up your 10 years in showbiz?

"Masayang-malungkot. Masaya because of the many good things that happened to me. Malungkot because of my detractors. But the good things and the happy times far outweigh the bad things and the bad times. I’ve grown at lot in showbiz, since the time I did my first lead role in Ang TV The Movie, where I played Adarna, to the time I did movies with Marvin (Agustin) as my loveteam-mate, to my latest movie, Kung Ikaw ay Isang Panaginip."

You also did a movie (Tunay na Tunay, Labs Kita, Gets Mo?) with Robin Padilla two years ago, giving rise to the rumor that you two were an item.

"Di ba lahat naman ng leading lady niya nali-link sa kanya?"

In Kung Ikaw ay Isang Panaginip, you play a vendor who’s fond of daydreaming (in love with a boy on the huge billboard, played by Rafael Rosell IV, even if she already has a boyfriend, an MRT operator played by Leandro Muñoz). Does the real Jolina Magdangal also daydream a lot? About what?

"You know, ano kaya when I have my own family? Ano kaya ang mangyayari? I never did that before. But as I grow older, I daydream more often about having my own family. I guess you really have to think about your future family, especially if you have invested your earnings. You have to envision what sort of family you’re going to have and the man you will marry."

How do you envision your future husband?

"Somebody slightly older than me. Slightly lang, ha! Actually, age doesn’t matter. But I’d prefer somebody slightly older because, I must admit, may pagka-immature talaga ako. I want somebody who won’t pamper or spoil me, who can put me in place, who can tell me na mali ako if I’m doing anything wrong."

Dapat ba as rich as, or richer than, you are?

"It depends. Baka nga he is rich but if he’ll only fool me, huwag na lang, di ba? What matters and what’s important is that he should love me and take good care of me, ‘yung aalagaan ako. What I mean by aalagaan is kaya niya akong buhayin. Hindi pupuwede ’yung, you know, ’Mahal na mahal kita, e, pero wala akong pera.’ How can we be happy if we’ll have problems with money? Hindi puwede ’yung puro love lang, e, di ba?"

Ayaw mo bang ikaw ang bubuhay sa kanya (future husband)? Anyway, you are well-off. You can afford it.

"I can’t say ayaw ko... I guess... You know, siguro tulungan kami. It can’t be na sa akin lahat o sa kanya lahat. It has to be both of us."

As far as movie roles are concerned, you have limitations, don’t you? You have no-nos, such as no kissing, etc.

"May mga commercials ako, e. In my contracts (for the commercials), may mga do’s and don’t’s doon. But even without the do’s and don’t’s, ayoko rin ng mga kissing scene, kahit na daya, especially on TV (such as on her ABS-CBN sitcom Arriba, Arriba!). ’Yung simpleng smack, okey lang. Huwag lang po torrid."

Even in language, you’re also refined. I’ve never heard you utter a four-letter word, except siguro Mama or Papa.

"Even off camera, ayokong magsabi ng four-letter words."

When you get excited, kung nagugulat ka, what do you say?

(Thinks awhile and smiles) "Huwag na lang. Never mind."

What’s the worst that you’ve said kapag nagugulat ka?

(Thinks again) "Maybe, ‘Ay, kabayo!’ ‘Yon lang."

Mukhang dry ang love life mo, ano?

"Dry? Dry ba? You know, people have this impression that my parents are strict. I want to correct that wrong impression. My parents are not strict; they’re just protective sa akin. Just like other parents, they want only the best for their children; ayaw nilang mapariwara ang anak nila. I’m glad that they’re around to protect me. Maraming guys very deceiving ang looks, di ba? It’s nice to have your parents around to guide you and protect you, di ba?"

’Yung mga manliligaw ba sa’yo must be screened by your parents, especially your dad?

"Not really. But I’d like of course to get their opinion. I suspect that the guys who are afraid of my parents have a hidden agenda."

Was Marvin afraid of your parents, especially your dad?

(Jokingly) "I don’t know to him!"

What about Robin (Padilla)? What was the real score between the two of you?

"I hardly ever see him. Like Marvin, friends kami."

Haven’t you ever had any serious relationship (whether with a showbiz guy or a non-showbiz guy)?

"None. None yet. Walang-wala pa talaga. If ever, siguro puppy love lang. I guess I haven’t met the right guy yet."

Baka naman you might end up an old maid?

"I don’t think so. I’m not naman choosy. I’m easy to get along with. I easily make friends."

What sort of guys do you find attractive?

"I like them clean. There are some girls attracted to dirty-looking guys but with me, gusto ko ’yung malinis. ’Yung maski malayo pa, parang amoy-mabango na. And when he comes nearer, kailangan mabango talaga siya. He should also be a good dresser. At dapat malinis ang kanyang mga kuko. He doesn’t have to be a head-turner - you know, ’yung unang tingin mo, ay, ang guwapo-guwapo niya. Ayoko ng ganoon. It helps if he’s cute, one who grows on you, na habang kinakausap mo ay lalong nagiging goodlooking at attractive. Doon nagra-radiate ang aura niya, while you’re talking to him. ‘Yung napapatitig ka na lang basta."

How were you brought up?

"On good moral values. We’re really a closely-knit family. Sabay-sabay kami kumakain. When I’m home, we wake up early so we can have breakfast together. Often, sabay ang lunch at ang dinner. Although we don’t go to church as often as we should, ipinasok sa isip namin ng aming parents na dapat gabi-gabi magdadasal kami. We say, ‘Thank you, Lord!’ upon waking up in the morning. At the dining table, masaya kaming pamilya. We laugh a lot. We joke around a lot. You should see us at the dining table. We don’t just eat, we really have fun exchanging stories and jokes. We prefer to take our meals on the small dining table instead of on the bigger table, para masaya."

Education?

"That’s important. That’s why hirap na hirap ako when I was in high school (at Colegio de San Lorenzo along Congressional Avenue, Quezon City) because my parents insisted that I finish high school. I want to resume my studies and take up Interior Designing."

What was your childhood dream?

"I idolized stars, I was fond of watching TV, but my dream was simple: To be rich. I just wanted to land a well-paying job na wala akong natatapakang ibang tao."

But you come from an economically comfortable family, don’t you?

"But I wanted to acquire things through my own effort, to earn a lot so I can build my own house - you know, mauupo ka na lang, pa-relax-relax ka na lang."

Just like all the comforts and luxuries you’re enjoying now.

"But I’m not just sitting pretty. I’m still working very hard."

What are some of your dreams na nagkatotoo na?

"One, being able to travel to the States with my family. Nag-concert ako doon and we spent a grand vacation afterwards. We went to Las Vegas at nagsugal-sugal kami ng kaunti. Try lang ba. Nag-gimmick kami together."

I bet your future husband will be like your dad (who used to be with advertising. Jolina’s mom used to be an executive at Land Bank). They are your role models, aren’t they?

"Sa akin, hindi man eksaktong katulad ni Daddy. I want my husband to take good care of me the way my Daddy (and Mommy) did. Maganda ang handling sa akin ng parents ko. They really handled my earnings well; they invested my earnings well. Kita naman, di ba? Hindi naman nila winaldas ang kinita ko. They thought me how to value myself and how to deal with people with utmost courtesy."

Is it all work, work, work, for you? How much time do you devote for yourself? How do you spend your time away from work?

"Even if I’m working, things are never routine; things are never boring. I see to it that mayroong iba akong ginagawa araw-araw. But then, if you enjoy your work, if you love your work, it doesn’t feel like work at all. It’s never monotonous. Every now and then, my old friends (not from showbiz) and I get together; they’re also working now. More often, dito lang kami sa bahay. They feel at home here. Or we go out and watch a movie and dine out."

Supposing you have a boyfriend, what age do you think is right for settling down?

"Siguro 27 or 28. But first, I must find a boyfriend."

Are you sure you’re not missing out in your love life?

"I don’t think so. I don’t even have to find Mr. Right. Once he comes along, I will know if he’s ‘it’. I will know. Ako pa!"