Accompanied by manager Celeste Pacana of Artistation, Jinky in person is a sweet, humble lady who would rather not be noticed if not performing on stage. At the Boulvar Lounge where we conducted this interview, she received more than a few stares and covert glances because no matter what she does, Jinky always has that "star appeal." People who wanted to talk to her were not dismissed nor ignored. Wow, she even shared a few tips with the lounge singer for the night regarding her makeup and having a boyfriend hanging around during gigs. (A definite no-no for aspiring young stars!)
"How can husband Tat take it?" I ask her. How could he not feel jealous and allow Jinky to act the way she acts on stage with more than half in the audience lusting for her?!? (I used to be a singer too and I know how it is to be admired, or even pestered, or worse, hounded, by admirers, normal or loonies, depending on whether it’s your lucky day.) Jinky replies, "Tat is very professional about it. He trusts me and understands the needs of my career. I always have to look appealing and sexy and even sometimes flirt on stage. He was my first and only boyfriend before we got married. From the start, he has taken all the adoration of fans in stride."
And I go, "You are one lucky girl. Your husband must be so secure of himself, he doesn’t have to prove anything to anyone with jealous fits because yes, at the end of the day, it is still you and him together, right?"
Manager Celeste butts in "And, even if there’s anything evil in other people’s minds (referring probably to the pestering loonies), I will never allow any hanky-panky within or outside the band." Good for you, Jinky and Tat!
Jinky and Tat were steadies way back in 1993, even before they became part of Freestyle – which had its humble beginnings as a band composed of students from Ateneo de Davao. Earlier on, Jinky tried going solo and at 14, even tried her luck in singing contests in Manila, experiencing the usual rigors of adjusting to staying with relatives.
Going back to Davao (probably because staying with other relatives was not a good idea after all) she supported herself for a while by singing. She decided to quit only when her mother and brother asked her, " Is this all you want to do forever?" From there, she went on to graduate from college.
Armed with a degree, Jinky could now do anything she wanted. Back in Manila, and this time with Freestyle and Tat as her comfort zone, she enjoyed a flourishing career as the band’s lead female singer and in 2003, decided to marry Tat in a very simple wedding. Thereafter, as husband and wife, life changed.
Both had to make decisions. Through hard work and dedication, they owned and operated an Internet cafe (Jinky and Tat are techies!) and later on, bought a house in Sta. Rosa (a dream Jinky secretly harbored since those days when she had to stay with relatives).
But it was not always a bed of roses for Jinky and Tat. In 2003, after the US back-to-back tour of Freestyle and Side A Band, a very pregnant and expectant Jinky (nearly seven months on the way), lost her baby in the States. It was bad enough to lose a much-wanted child. It was even worse because Tat had just left for the Philippines before the unfortunate incident and they could only console each other over the phone. But the worst part of it all (for me, I think!) was having to deliver a dead baby through normal delivery. Jinky was injected with a serum to make her contract and, agghh, bring out the lifeless body of her beloved child the normal way.
It was during this part of the interview that my heart went out to Jinky. Recalling those sad details in her life made Jinky misty-eyed but bravely she continued that yes, she and Tat composed a song for their baby entitled When Hello Means Good-bye. (Manager Celeste explains: "You really would not know what to say to the baby when it came out. Is it hello? Or is it goodbye?")
As for now, Jinky has set aside plans to have another baby. Celeste discloses plans for another tour, and of producing a studio album. But when the time comes that God wills her to have another baby, Jinky says she will give it her best shot and concentrate on being a mother.
So dry your eyes now, my dear Jinky. I clearly saw and felt your anguish as you struggled to talk about your painful loss. It has been more than two years now and it’s time to let go. Baby Tamia is now an angel watching over you and Tat. I’m very sure of that. I have an angel, too. I also lost an unborn baby once.