Jolina: I have to love myself first

MANILA, Philippines - “I appreciate waking up feeling happy.”

That’s Jolina Magdangal talking as if she just walked out of hell hole and seeing the world in a different light. She won’t be pressured into giving details. All Jolina says is she has moved on after she ended her eight-year relationship with Bebong Muñoz. And there’s no turning back, ever.

“I’m not looking at a second chance,” reveals Jolina. “Bebong and I don’t communicate anymore. I’ve returned the pieces of jewelry — family heirlooms of his mom — which he gave me. I did it out of respect. This way, Bebong can give it to somebody who may be destined to have it.”

Jolina speaks without a trace of rancor or regret. In fact, her smile can light up the rain-soaked skies of Manila these days.

The zero communication between her and her ex has made her move on for good. Her it-could-be-worse attitude also helps.

“I think of friends who could have gotten pregnant, what happened to Francis M, etc. Life is short. I won’t mope around just because I’ve ended an eight-year relationship,” she explains.

Jolina refuses to talk about the whys and wherefores of the break-up. It’s enough that she wishes Bebong well.

“When we meet again,” Jolina predicts, “We may already have our respective partners.”

Truth is, that day may come sooner than soon for her. Jolina admits she’s dating a 32-year-old guy from the music industry. Just who he is and what he does — composing, producing, arranging — she doesn’t tell.

But her glowing eyes, her bright smile, and her comment, “He’s handsome in my eyes,” say it all. Lest anyone jump into conclusion though, Jolina adds that she and Prince Charming are not an official twosome for now. They haven’t been dating that long, for one.

Meantime, Jolina is making up for the time she spent away from her family. She enjoys taking them to Baguio at the spur of the moment just for the heck of it. Lately. Jolina got dad Jun’s advice about her short kissing scene with Marvin Agustin. It’s for GMA 7’s new romantic comedy series Adik sa ‘Yo, which premieres tonight and airs weeknights after Totoy Bato.

As the conservative Karen, Jolina can’t express her feelings for Carlos (Marvin). But as fate would have it, they end up finding each other in an awkward place and situation.

“It’s my first kissing scene in my entire 20 years in showbiz,” admits Jolina.

She sought dear old dad out, and he put her fears to rest.

“It’s about time,” he told his nervous daughter.

And so, one rehearsal and one take after, the smack happened. Jolina was scared but Marvin didn’t give her reason to worry.

“He never took advantage of the situation,” reveals Jolina. She recounts how he put her at ease by cracking jokes and assuring his love team partner that everything will be fine.

Is this reason for Marvin-Jolina fans to hope their idols will also reconcile off-screen?

“I don’t mix my personal and professional life,” Jolina quickly replies.

Add to that the dictum “love yourself first” and you have a whole new Jolina before you. She values herself more, appreciates her family better. Yes, she fell. But Jolina is up on her feet again, ready to love and be loved. Now that she has dealt with the ghosts of her past, Jolina is ready to face new challenges — romantic and otherwise — again.

After everything she’s been through, it’s about time.