It was six months ago when K’s last relationship with a 37- year-old Australian businessman ended. Though it lasted just four months, the separation pained K as she, too, thought it would end up in the altar. "I was so in love then," she recalls during an interview. "How could I not have been when he was almost perfect? He was young, handsome and intelligent. He also took me out on these extravagant and romantic dates that swept me off my feet."
The boyfriend also became very close to K’s nine-year-old daughter, Crystal, whom he would even carry on his shoulders despite her age. "It was hard for me explaining to her that he would no longer be coming around," K says. "Of course, I couldn’t tell her that the reason is he and his ex-girlfriend are back in each other’s arms."
Despite being sexy, beautiful, talented, accomplished and kind-hearted, K says that serious suitors come far and between. She speculates that many are intimidated with her strong personality and accomplishments in such a high-profile industry. "It’s easy for me to find a ‘boylet,’ but what for? I’m not getting any younger and I wouldn’t want to play around at this point. Nakakahiya sa anak ko."
Besides, there’s her career to attend to. Since she entered show business in 2000 (on the strength of her five-year experience in comedy bars as in-demand sing-along master), K has achieved things as solo artist and has propelled her band, The Boxers, into even greater success.
The last is of note considering that K took over headlining the group after equally-talented comedienne Gladys Guevarra opted to leave. When many speculated that everything would go downhill from there, K stayed and led the group into clinching a signature hit, Sasakyan Kita and major shows in big venues.
"Many advised me to leave them, too. But I did not because I love The Boxers," says K. "Even if I’m sick, even if I’m on my day off, I still go without hesitation because some of them need the money."
A responsible leader, K instigated a "group fund" derived from the tips they get. These they use for rehearsals, costumes and food. Sometimes, it serves as sort of a paluwagan whenever members need cash for emergencies.
But more than leniency when it comes to money is K’s respect for people no matter what their status in life is. From her celebrity co-workers down to the drivers and caterers, K makes it a point to talk to them, joke with them and sometimes even cry over their mini-dramas. "I don’t discriminate people, kasi sino ba naman ako? At saan ba ako nagsimula? Achievement doesn’t make anyone special; it’s who you are inside that matters above these," she says.
No wonder blessings keep pouring down on K. To thank those who have stood by her, the Queen of Comedy Bars will be holding a special birthday concert on July 15 at Ratsky Morato. Her special guests are The Drag-Ons, Keanna Reeves, The Boxers, Pinoy Pop Superstar champion Gerald Santos, R&B Princess Kyla and Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez.
"At first, I just wanted a simple, intimate birthday concert," she says. "But when I tried inviting these people and they said, ‘yes,’ I realized na ibang level ito. Will you hold a simple show when your guests are Regine Velasquez and Kyla? Of course not. Dapat bongga kasi nakakahiya din sa kanila dahil honorarium lang ang ibibigay ko as talent fee!"
A dream concert K wants to realize in the future is either a back-to-back show with Rufa Mae Quinto or Michael V. Rufa is one of K’s best friends in showbiz. Michael V is a friend whose comedic genius K knows only too well, from working with him in the top-rated Bitoy’s Funniest Home Video.
"I also asked Sen. Bong Revilla (lead star of comedy show Hokus Pokus that K is also part of) to help me in the show by buying tickets and he did," she says. "Actually, I have many friends in showbiz na tine-text brigade ko even if the tickets are not yet out. I am nervous because Ratsky is a big venue. I hope that somehow, people will come."
Wish almost granted as this early, the area for the most expensive tickets are already sold out. K says, though, that this puts more pressure on her to make the show extra special "dahil hindi biro kitain ang pera ever."
When asked for her birthday wish, K says she wants another shot at acting. It can be recalled that last year, she played a villain role in Darna. With two comedy shows on her resume, K wants to do serious acting for diversity.
"Reinvention is a key to longevity in this business," says K. "You shouldn’t stay put in what people have gotten used to seeing you in. One has to always offer something new to the public para hindi ka pagsawaan."
But who really is K at the end of the day? "A singer-comedienne who wants to see people enjoying my God-given talents," she ends.