Star (Not Only) For a Night

17 questions for Sarah Geronimo, the girl with a golden voice who is revealing her ‘other side’ in her first major solo concert at the Big Dome on Sept. 30.

Seventeen (last July 25) going on 18. Excited and eager to be "free" at last?

"Not really," said Sarah Geronimo who, like her idol Regine Velasquez, has remained unaffected by stardom and is firmly attached to her family. "Even after my debut, I’d rather stay with my family than live on my own." Very Jolina Magdangal.

Like Nora Aunor, Sarah is gifted with a golden voice and is a Cinderella in her own right. She has risen from humble beginnings. With the wave of her fairy godmother’s magic wand, Sarah (with her family) was transplanted from a cramped apartment along a side street in Sta. Cruz, Manila, to a bigger house (also rented) in Quezon City. "I’m saving for my dream house," she said.

Two years ago, Sarah bagged the grand prize of the first Star For a Night talent search (followed by Rachelle Ann Go in the second and last season of the search) and everything was never the same again. A contract star of the Viva Group of Companies, Sarah was signed up by ABS-CBN where, as a pre-teener, she started her trek to stardom, appearing as an "extra" in Sarah, Ang Munting Prinsesa, playing one of "princess" Camille Prats’ friends. Never did Sarah imagine that a few years later, she would topbill (with Mark Bautista, fellow Star For a Night winner) an ABS-CBN teleseries of the same genre, Sarah, The Teen Princess.

Last year, Sarah (with Mark and Rachelle and other talent search discoveries Christian Bautista and Erik Santos) paved the way for the new breed of Filipino talents to the US market by staging a series of successful shows on both coasts, starting in New Jersey and then proceeding to Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles. The shows of The Champions (as Sarah and company have become known) swept the "veterans" to the background and introduced Filipinos abroad to a fresh, new kind of homegrown entertainment.

Very clearly, Sarah is a star not only for a night but for a thousand more nights to come.

Recently awarded a "double platinum" by Viva Records for her album Sweet Sixteen, Sarah is set to reveal her "other side" (what could it be?) in her first major solo concert called, yes, The Other Side, at the Araneta Coliseum on Sept. 30, 8 p.m., with special guests Mark Bautista, Japoy Lizardo, Regine Velasquez and Piolo Pascual, Sarah’s big crush with whom she’s doing a "surprise" duet; and on Oct. 15, 8 p.m., at Waterfront Hotel in Lahug, Cebu City.

(Note: For tickets, check out Ticketnet, or call Araneta Coliseum at 911-5555 or Viva Concerts at 687-1125/687-6181 local 715. Ticket prices for the Araneta Coliseum show are P1,500 for patron A and B, P1,000 for lower box, P500 for upper box A, P250 for upper box B and P150 for general admission. Prices for the Waterfront show are P1,200, P1,000, P700 and P400, available at Video City outlets and Waterfront Hotel.)

What’s on the mind of an innocent 17-year-old? Read on.

1. What have been the changes in your life after Star For a Night?

"My life hasn’t been normal. I’ve become public property; no more privacy. We have moved from small apartment in Sta. Cruz, Manila, which we were renting to a bigger place in Quezon City, which we are also renting. I still share a room with my Ate Johna. I prefer it that way. I can’t sleep alone in a room. I am the third child in the family. After Ate Johna comes Sunshine; Gabriel comes after me. Oh yes, I was able to put up a little business called Popstar Salon (at the back of Dominican School on Gov. Forbes St., Sampaloc, Manila)."

2. Are you still the same Sarah Geronimo you were before Star For a Night?

"Well, I’ve changed a bit. I used to be simple. I still am, but now I have to wear makeup; kailangan mag-ayos. But my feet are still planted on the ground. I miss my old friends. We have lost contact."

3. Didn’t you dream of becoming something else besides being a singer?

"I wanted to be a broadcaster, you know, one who could discuss political issues. Like Korina Sanchez and Mel Tiangco."

4. Who’s your role model?

"My mom (Divine Geronimo). She’s very respectful, maalaga, protective and supportive, and I feel that she’s right all the time. My idols? Sharon Cuneta and Regine Velasquez."

5. What do you consider the song of your life?

"Light of a Million Morning (by Louie Reyes). It’s so meaningful. It’s a song about God, parang prayer."

6. At 17, aren’t you allowed to fall in love yet?

"Having crush(es) is okay but not having a boyfriend yet."

7. Aren’t your mom and your dad (Delfin Geronimo) strict?

"No, I don’t think they are strict. Tama lang ang pagka-strict nila."

8. Are you really family-oriented?

"Opo naman! I want us to go out together on Sundays after hearing Mass, but then I have to be on ASAP Mania and I usually have other appointments after that. My childhood? We were poor but we were happy. Even as a kid, I was really fond of joining singing contests. I still remember the first contest I joined – Tuklas Talino, sponsored by PLDT. I sang The Greatest Performance of My Life. Am I generous to my sisters and brothers, and my parents? Ask them."

9. What’s your ideal man?

"He doesn’t have to be handsome. Basta ‘yung mabait at mapagmahal. Who’s my crush? Si Japoy (according to rumors)? No, hindi ko siya crush. Ang crush ko si Harry Potter. Among local stars, si Piolo Pascual especially after I saw him in person. Did Mark (Bautista) court me? No, he did not – he should not. Kuya ko siya, eh!"

10. Are you the all-work-and-no-play type who has no time for yourself?

"When I’m free, I stay home and sleep, nagpli-Play Station."

11. What do you splurge on?

"My mom buys my clothes. Yes, on my perfume collection. My favorite is Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue."

12. Any more dreams?

"I want to be an international singer, makapasok sa Hollywood. Will I join American Idol if I had the chance? Oh yes, I would!"

13. What are your pet peeves?

"Guys who are mayabang and back-stabbers. There are many in showbiz, di ba? So many intrigera. The worst intrigue about me? That my parents are slave-drivers and making me work to death."

14. What do you consider your most precious possession?

"My family."

15. Next to your family, what?

"Of course, my voice!"

16. What’s the worst thing about Sarah Geronimo?

"Matinding magalit. I’m usually cool, I seldom get angry but when I do, talagang matindi!"

17. And the best thing about Sarah Geronimo?

"I’m gullible. Is it nice? Madaling maloko. Oftentimes, niloloko na pala ako hindi ko pa nahahalata. Is it nice? I’m a sucker for sob stories. Madali akong maniwala. Bad yata ‘yon, di ba?"

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