"You’re the only one I can trust," she said when she, accompanied by her dad, showed up that Monday (June 6) afternoon at the Cafe Mystique of the Westin Century Plaza Hotel & Spa (the favorite hangout of celebrities, according to Baby K. Jimenez, "including politicians and ex-Presidents"), at Century City where the press junket for Disney Pictures’ Herbie Fully Loaded, starring Lindsay Lohan, was being held.
"I’m here to interview Lindsay (and co-star Michael Keaton)," I told Antoinette on the phone earlier that morning. "We can, well, shoot the breeze over coffee at 2 p.m."
Father and daughter came on time in a red Corvette. I met them at the driveway. After Dad Tom handed the key to the valet, we crossed the hotel’s sprawling lobby and the beautiful garden and settled at a corner table at Café Mystique for the usual how-are-you’s, etc.
Then, we moved to a cozy nook in the garden for a free-wheeling Conversation. Antoinette looked relaxed, ever smiling. She mentioned in passing that she and her dad had to rush back to the office of the Taus Entertainment, Inc. (TEI), an entertainment group founded by Antoinette herself.
"Our office is just 20 minutes away," said Antoinette.
For almost one hour, Antoinette answered all the questions everybody had been wanting to ask her, such as, 1) Did she and Dingdong get married?, 2) Do they have not just one but two children?, 3) Is she working in a bar similar to Pegasus?, 4) Did she feel "betrayed" when Dingdong decided to go steady with Karylle?, and 5) Did she think that Karylle "stole" Dingdong from her?
After the Conversation, I asked Antoinette to send a message to Dingdong.
"I wish you all the happiness in the world," she said, smiling.
And to Karylle?
Blushing a bit, Antoinette said, still smiling, "Hi, Kay!"
Throughout the Conversation, I didn’t notice any sign of bitterness in Antoinette’s face and voice. She seemed happy with herself and with the world.
How long have you been here?
"Actually, I moved here officially four years ago. But I’ve been going back and forth from here to the Philippines to just visit and do some shows over there. I decided to stay longer last year because my mom got sick, and later died."
I’m sorry to hear that. Are you here for good?
"Yeah. Well, in the sense that L.A. is where I’m based now. But I keep on going back to the Philippines because whatever happens it’s still my home. But I’m working on my career here. I intend to visit the Philippines once or twice a year."
So you haven’t said goodbye to showbiz (in the Philippines) altogether.
"Oh, no, definitely not! I am trying to pursue something here; I’m trying to break into show business here in the US. But it doesn’t mean that I’m closing my door on show business in the Philippines. It’s always gonna be there."
Didn’t you have any regrets having turned your back on your career in the Philippines while you were at your peak?
"Actually, no. I thought hard about it. You know, in life, in order to achieve bigger things you have to take big risks. So, I realized that I had to do it, it’s basically now or never... while I’m still young. So, no regrets. If I make it, great; I’d be so happy. If I don’t, I can tell myself that at least I tried."
How many years have you been in showbiz?
"I started when I was 11 in movies and TV. But I was only four years old when I began doing commercials."
How many movies have you done?
"Oh, around 10."
What was the last one you did before you moved to L.A.?
"I forgot the title; it was with Ace Vergel. I didn’t get to see it because when it was shown, I was already here in the States."
But you did several TV shows. What was the last?
"Sana ay Ikaw na Nga (on GMA). I was a regular on S.O.P."
I heard that you’re trying to break into Hollywood. Could you tell us about it...
"It has always been a dream of mine since I was a little girl – you know, making it here... in Hollywood. It’s the dream of a lot of people; everybody here is trying to make it. So, hey, why not give it a shot? Basically, I want to sing and act... do movies and TV shows... do an album. I want to do all that. Right now, I’m in the process of doing a CD."
Oh, your first?
"Yeah, my first. I’m working with a production/management team. I signed a contract with a company. It’s an entertainment deal which will hopefully lead me to just everything – recording, movies and TV shows as well."
What are the songs on the CD?
"All originals, in English. By and by, I hope to do Tagalog songs. Definitely! No matter what, I’m very Pinoy at heart... even if my dad is American. Everytime somebody asks me here where I am from, I always say, ‘From the Philippines; I’m Filipino.’ I will always be a Filipino."
What’s the target market of your CD?
"Mainstream. People of all ages, but especially the young. Regardless of race."
Do you have an agent?
"I’m actually working with my own management team – yes, the Taus Entertainment, Inc. (TEI)."
By the way, how’s your dad?
"My dad is good. He’s great. He’s doing fine."
And your brother Tom?
"He’s in college now, doing very well. For the first two years, there’s no particular course. Then, he’s transferring to another school, maybe UCLA."
No more showbiz for him?
"It’s still in his mind. But right now, he’s focused on his studies."
Can I ask you about your mom?
"Oh, you can ask me about anybody... anything!"
So she died last year...
"...yeah. In August last year. It’s still very painful for me to talk about it. She was very young, only 49. When she was diagnosed (cancer), it was too late; stage four na. She was my best friend. I haven’t really moved on. When you lose a loved one, you can never really say that you’re okay. The pain will always be there. My dad is taking it badly. At home, we try to avoid talking about my mom."
Back to happier topics... So how’s life in America?
"Great! When I first moved here four years ago, I didn’t like it; sobrang hindi ko gusto. I used to hate it so much. I would cry every day; I wanted to go back to the Philippines."
But you grew up here, didn’t you?
"No, I was born and raised in the Philippines. (Her mom was from Pampanga. – RFL) All my friends are in the Philippines. But I’ve gotten used to the American lifestyle. Some of my barkada in the Philippines are here, too. They helped me get adjusted to life here. You know, just have fun and enjoy it."
Do you have any contact with Pinoy stars now also living here?
"Oh, yes, I do. Si Ruffa (Gutierrez) gets in touch with me when she’s here. (Ruffa lives with her husband Yilmaz Bektas and their two daughters in Istanbul. – RFL) When Rufa Mae (Quinto) visits, we get in touch. Also, Richard and Raymond (Gutierrez). Tootsie (Guevarra) was here for a visit and we went out."
How far from here (Century City) do you live?
"We live in Studio City which is near Universal Studios."
Did you go to school when you were new here?
"No, I didn’t. I’m on leave from Ateneo where I started with Political Science and then shifted to Communication Arts."
Could you describe a day in your life here?
"I’m more of a night person. I sleep until about noon. Two or three times a week, I meet with my producers to record songs or have meetings. The rest of the time, I’m with my dad or with my friends. We go to the beach."
Do you do shows here?
"Yes, every now and then. A few days ago, I sang the National Anthem at an event attended by celebrities. Two days from now, I will perform at the City Hall; I’ll be performing for the Mayor. Three days after that, I’m performing in an event called Kalayaan 2005 for both Filipinos and Americans."
I heard that you own a restaurant...
"...no, I don’t. The restaurant is owned by a friend and I’m there all the time. But we own a restaurant in Angeles City (Pampanga), now run by my uncle."
Is it true that you perform in a place like the Pegasus (where there are sexy GROs)? Are you familiar with Pegasus?
"Pegasus? Isn’t that a nightclub?"
Well, something like that.
"Actually, I’m performing with a group called Moon Events which hosts parties in places like Horoscope, Spider Club, Avalon, Hollywood & Highland and others. I’m also doing a TV show for them, called ME TV. I promote events."
Did you know that in absentia, you’re still a hot item in the Philippines...
"...I know!"
Are you up-to-date with showbiz goings-on back home?
"Yeah, I am. Or my friends back in the Philippines keep me posted on what’s happening in back there."
Well, to keep you posted... One of the hot items back there is the admission of Dingdong and Karylle on national television that they’re going steady.
"So I heard... That they’re together right now, right?"
Do you believe that they’re on (or is it just a gimmick for their new GMA fantaserye starrer, Encantadia)?
"Well, I believe it. You know, I’ve come to a point where I’m not bothered by tsismis anymore. I just tell myself to focus on my career. I just want to be at peace. I don’t want to deal with rumors anymore. Well, yes, we broke up last March."
Before Dingdong was romantically linked to Karylle?
"Well, they’ve been linked before pa."
Did the rumor (about Dingdong and Karylle) have anything to do with your and Dingdong’s break-up?
"No. No, no, no. But anyway, that’s it. I haven’t really spoken to him. Actually, he has been calling but I didn’t have time to really talk to him but I just picked up (the phone) two days ago. That was the only time I spoke to him since we broke up."
Is he trying to reconcile with you?
"No. No, no, no. Hindi siya bumabalik. I didn’t even ask him about it because I respect whatever they have."
Did he really stay with you when he was here for a visit?
"Yeah. When he was here, he would stay with the family. Yon."
Another rumor: You and Dingdong were married.
"No, that’s not true. We were never married and never kaming nagka-anak."
That’s another rumor: You and Dingdong have not just one but two children.
"Oo nga, eh. Niloloko nga ako ng mga kabarkada ko, eh. If I had children, I wouldn’t have time for what I am doing. So... No, no, no. We were never married and we never had children. If it were true, I would have admitted it."
Now that Dingdong has found a new love, you’re free to find yours, too.
"I’m not looking right now. I just want to be single, I enjoy being single because I haven’t been single since I was 17."
So you went steady with Dingdong that long?
"For six years."
Weren’t you hurt by the rumor about Dingdong and Karylle?
"I heard it first from other people... last year pa."
Didn’t you ask Dingdong about it?
"Oh yes, I did. When we were still together we talked about it. But, you know... That’s the way it is..."
What’s the best thing you can say about Dingdong?
"He’s someone I can always count on. Even now that we have parted ways, I know that I can always count on him. I’m sure of that."
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph)