Ara’s lucky charm

Ara Mina has a lucky charm. And it’s not Polo Ravales or any other guy lurking in the horizon. Her lucky charm is a 15-year-old girl named Mina Princess, her sister (the other one is Christine Reyes).

Ever since the teenaged charmer came into her life, Ara’s career seemed headed in all meaningful directions.

"I was launched in showbiz via (GMA 7’s) That’s Entertainment when she was born," explains Ara.

The timing of these events, she goes on, is no mere coincidence. It merely proves that Mina Princess was born into this world for a higher purpose, among others: to give her Ate Ara blessings she never imagined she’d get.

That’s why Ara isn’t ashamed to announce that she has a special sister, born with Down’s Syndrome when her mom was nearing menopause. In fact, Ara took advantage of a presscon for Loving Ara @15, her concert at the Araneta Coliseum on Feb. 3, to share photos of her and Mina Princess to the press.

The photo is a touching picture of sisterly love. You could almost hear Ara and her special sister whispering "I love yous" to each other.

And, true enough, Mina Princess’ "I love yous" to Ara is music to the latter’s ears. The teenager even inspired Ara to earmark part of the proceeds of her upcoming show to children afflicted with different kinds of illnesses.

A two-year-old child, for instance, needs liver transplant badly. The concert, through the Ara Mina Foundation, plans to raise funds for the child’s medication. Other kids afflicted with other illnesses have been brought to Ara’s attention. But she can only do so much since her foundation just started.

"Eventually," she says, "I hope to help senior actors. This way, I reach out, not only to the young, but to their elders as well."

Lest you may get ideas, Ara denies she’s joining the political brouhaha this May. People – even those from Pampanga she helped raise funds for after disaster struck – have been urging her to run for public office.

After all, they tell Ara, politics is in her blood. Her grandfather, former Quezon City Mayor Ismael Mathay, served under the Marcos government. Her father, as we all know, is former Rep. Chuck Mathay. She can always seek sound political advice from them. And has rubbed elbows with congressmen and their ilk.

But no thanks, she answers her political supporters. Politics is a dirty world and she wants no part of it – for now.

Besides, she can continue to help people, sans the fanfare of politics. In fact, Ara has been doing this quietly for the past years.

She has helped raise funds for the purchase of classroom chairs for Pampanga students. She has gone on medical missions, donated a nebulizer here, some wheelchairs there. And yet, the need seems to be growing and growing.

So grateful was the owner of Don-Jon Guitar in Pampanga after Ara promoted its musical instrument free of charge, they fashioned a guitar and named it after her. The Ara Mina guitar has Ara’s face on it, and true to the image of the star it was named after, sports a sexy contour. Only two other prominent persons in the country – President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and Manny Pacquiao – are said to have Don-Jon guitars custom-made for them.

Ara’s guitar, however, is not just for display. Far from it. She can’t wait to hold it in her hands and accompany herself with it.

"Aiza Seguerra taught me how to play the guitar when we bonded on the set of Shake, Rattle and Roll," recalls Ara. "My first guitar piece, courtesy of Aiza, was Leaving on a Jet Plane. Now, I can play four songs on the guitar."

The audience will see more of the guitar-strumming Ara in her upcoming concert which has fellow Bubble Gang stars Ogie Alcasid, Michael V, Rufa Mae Quinto, Wendell Ramos and Antonio Aquitania, with Jose Manalo, Jimmy Bondoc, Ney of 6Cyclemind and Raymond of Sandwich as guests.

And just so she gets it just right, Ara is taking up a refresher course in voice for the show. After all, she knows that the Araneta Center is the "Everest of Concert Venues." Conquer the Big Dome and you can conquer most any venue at all.

Since this year happens to be her 15th anniversary in showbiz, Ara has decided to go for broke in this concert she herself is producing.

"It’s a pre-Valentine show and a fund-raiser, too," she states.

You can’t blame her for giving it all she’s got.