"But I’m now a changed person," proclaims Snooky Serna, who turned 36 last April 4. "I feel like I was reborn, not only in my career but physically, emotionally and spiritually. I feel so much better, inside and out." She does look more happy and serene now. "I now want to say sorry to all the producers, directors and co-stars I have stood up before. I admit na maldita ako noong araw. I was cynical, galit sa mundo, full of hang-ups. I felt I was just being forced to work. I was still a teenager when I felt burned out because I had been working as a child star since I was three. But now, all my multiple personalities then have finally morphed into one. I’m just lucky I never turned to drugs or alcohol. That’s one the many graces the Lord has given me. The others are my husband and our two daughters, Samantha, now nine, and Sanchi, six. I really can’t complain about Richard (Cepeda) because he stood by me when I was down with depression. I became anorexic. I was skin and bones at 76 lbs. One time, I was in bed and I heard my husband, mom and kids praying over me. It’s good I regained my senses when my eldest child, Samantha, begged me to eat and patiently fed me mashed potato."
She has since joined the Oasis of Love Christian Community and serves as auxiliary during its Life in the Spirit Seminars. "The last time, would you believe I volunteered as the bell ringer for the wake up call at 5:30 a.m. Before, you couldn’t wake me up that early. But I believe it’s because of my service to the Lord that I got the chance to do a soap opera on GMA-7, Habang Kapiling Ka I was at the adoration chapel when I got a call from my manager, Leo Dominguez, telling me GMA wants to get me. Before that, I taped for two days for a soap opera on ABS-CBN. When they tried to get me again, I already gave my nod to GMA and I have no regrets about it because may puso talaga sila sa GMA. I have become a vegetarian, along with two of my co-stars in Habang Kapiling Ka Chin Chin Gutierrez and Albert Martinez, and would you believe they are gracious enough to have special vegetarian food for us during our meals? I have a one-year contract with them, but they don’t restrain me to appear in the shows of other stations. We have good bonding among us actresses in Habang Kapiling Ka I talk about fashion and travel with Ruffa Gutierrez, politics with Alma Moreno, and environmental concerns with Chin Chin."
Does she regret her previous bad behavior? "I do, very much. I let go of so many good opportunities before just because may tampo lang ako sa mother ko. There was a time were so down and out we sold our house in Paranaque. The film industry was also down so even my husband’s offers were few and far between. I put up a boutique but it was robbed of some P20,00 worth of goods I decided to close it down. I’d take the tricycle when I went to the store. I got bad karma dahil sa mga kamalditahan ko noon araw. So I am now warning yung mga maldita ngayon: babalik sa inyo ‘yan. I was so glad when IBC-13 got me as an newscaster and paid me P5,000 a month. But I’m just taking a cab to and from work because my husband uses the car at halos maubos sa taxi fare ang suweldo ko. For my dresses, I’d wear hand-me-downs from my cousins and sister-in-law. I did the newscast for about a year. Then I got an offer to host a travel show, Travel and Trade, for which I was paid P7,000 a month and it gave me the chance to travel to various parts of the country. I did for eight months. I also worked with a real estate firm, Megaworld, as VIP for public affairs and special projects. But it was so demanding I was from the office from 7 a.m. to midnight. I decided to resign after three months because I didn’t even see my two daughters anymore. This year proved to be a good one for Richard and me. He got his own regular soap, Bituin, at ABS-CBN while I got Habang Kapiling Ka on GMA-7 We’re being shown on the same time slot kaya rivals kami. Number one sila sa ABS and we’re also number one on GMA."
In Habang Kapiling Ka she plays Olivia, the submissive wife of Albert Martinez, her former boyfriend in real life. How did she feel when Albert eloped 18 years ago with Liezl Sumilang? "To be honest, I was crushed. But that’s water under the bridge. Actually, I was nervous when we first met in Habang Kapiling Ka. I didn’t know how I’d react when I’d see him. But when I did, I was able to confirm that brotherly love is all I feel for him now. After all, I’m so happy with Richard, napakabait talaga niya. After my father died, my mom asked if she could move with us and Richard agreed right away."
It’s her daughter, Samantha, who watches Habang Kapilin Ka everyday to find our if she’s have a love scene with Albert. I used to keep our publicity photos together and she saw them. She asked me: ‘Who is this? I told her he’s my former boyfriend. She tore the photos and told me never to have a kissing scene with Albert in our show."
Is it true Rep. Jules Ledesma also courted her? "Yes, in 1989. I was the first movie star he courted, pero ako, ayoko."
Now, Snooky also has offers to do movies for Regal (her former home studio) and a new outfit, Legacy Films. "I feel so glad to be busy acting again," she beams. "I hope I’d get nominated for my acting in Habang Kapiling Ka. Which of the many films she has done are her favorites? Hahamakin Lahat for the late Lino Brocka which gave me a Star Best Supporting Actress award. Koronang Itim’ which gave me a FAMAS Best Actress award, Teenage Marriage for Director Mel Chionglo, Kapag Napagod ang Puso for Director Maryo de los Reyes, and Summer Love for Director Elwood Perez. I really feel I’m getting my second wind and it’s not too late for me to do more challenging roles. After, all I am only 36, and if life does begin at 40 like they say, then I haven’t even really started."