Joyce Jimenez domesticated

WEST COVINA, California — Before I left Manila to cover the opening of Dr. Vicki Belo’s first ever clinic in the US (at Suite 201, 1160 North Central Avenue, Glendale, California) last June 6 (Monday), I requested Shirley Kuan to set for me a pictorial-interview appointment with her alaga, Joyce Jimenez (Reintegrado) who is now Mrs. Paul Ely Egbalic.

After texting Joyce, Shirley said, “It’s set. Joyce said she could see you on June 8 (Wednesday) because it’s Ely’s day-off and he could drive her to L.A.” I was billeted at Thompson Hotel Beverly Hills and the Egbalics would be coming from their place near San Diego, almost two hours drive away traffic included. Ely has been working for the US Customs and Immigration for a few years, assigned “at the land border” in San Diego, after working with the US Air Force for seven years.

Joyce was invited to Vicki’s affair but she couldn’t make it. Joyce is one of the Belo endorsers and a good friend of Vicki’s son, director Quark Henares.

On Wednesday, after having lunch at Buddha’s Belly in Beverly Hills with Giji Kocher (a.k.a. Gigi Garcia when she was active singer-actress; more on her in a future issue), I asked my friends Tim Evans (Ely’s colleague, assigned at the L.A. airport immigration section) and immigration lawyer Jemela Nettles to accompany me to the Glendale Adventist Medical Center where my friend Leah Salterio, Vicki’s PRO, was confined at the neuro-ICU after suffering a massive stroke four hours after we arrived in L.A. (Leah is still there, recovering but very slowly.)

“I want to say goodbye to Leah before I go home,” I told Tim and Jemela.

I was leaving that same night. My two bags were at the baggage compartment of Jemela’s car. She and Tim (who was driving his own car) volunteered to take me to LAX. My flight (PR103) was scheduled to take off at 10:35 p.m.

We found Joyce and Ely at the cozy bungalow of Joyce’s parents, Armando and Gloria Reintegrado, in West Covina. They were visiting, together with their two little daughters Georgia, one and a half years old, and Jaysen Elise, three months old.

I asked Joyce and Ely, carrying one daughter each, to sit under the shade near the swimming pool.  

With daughters Georgia, one and a half years old, and Jaysen Elise, three months old.

How are you as a plain housewife?

Joyce: Iba.

Iba in what sense?

Joyce: Kasi, di ba I came from showbiz where I worked every day, minsan walang tulog. Now, I stay home and take care of my babies. My whole life revolves around them and, of course, Ely.

Wow, you’re very domesticated! You finished a business course with honors at a college in Australia. Sayang naman that you’re not able to make use of your degree.

Joyce: Okey lang. Actually, I’m still making use of it in running my Private Joyce lingerie business in the Philippines. We’re still selling with Ever Bilena.

Describe your typical day at home while Paul is at work.

Joyce: Jaysen wakes up at around 3 o’clock in the morning and that’s her first feeding. She goes back to sleep and wakes up again at 6 a.m. Georgia wakes up at 8 in the morning, eats and goes to her (nursery) classes every Tuesday and Thursday. While Georgia is in school, I take Jaysen for a walk in the park with the dog. Ely goes to work at around two o’clock in the afternoon.

Is your place of work near or far from your home?

Ely: It’s just a short drive away.

So while Ely is at work, it’s only you and the two kids left at home?

Joyce: And my mom.

Ely: Or, sometimes my mom.

Joyce: My mom helps a lot.

Are you breast-feeding Jaysen?

Joyce: Yes, I am.

Bilib ako sa’yo, Ely. Imagine, you were able to make Joyce turn her back on showbiz. How did you do it? How did you court Joyce?

Joyce and Paul Ely Egbalic at their wedding four years ago in California.

Ely: We met at a Christmas party in 2005. I was on vacation from Korea where I was assigned at that time.

Joyce: And I was on vacation from Australia where I was studying.

Ely: We were both on vacation then.

Joyce: It was some kind of a family affair. It was our first time to meet. But I know Ely’s sister Melissa who is my good friend. The sister of Melissa’s husband is my brother’s wife. We were all visiting one another. Si Ely binibisita ‘yung ate niya at ako naman, ‘yung kuya ko.

You were free and so was Ely? Oh, a case of two right people meeting at the right time.

How long did the courtship take…ilang weeks?

Joyce: Hindi naman weeks, inabot ng buwan.

How many months ba?

Joyce: He proposed after almost one year.

Oh, you gave Ely a hard time!

Joyce: No naman. Hindi po. Kasi he had to go back to Korea and I had to go back to Australia. Matagal ‘yung engagement namin, mga three years.

How was the adjustment from showbiz life to domestic life?

Joyce: It was easy because even when I was in showbiz I didn’t really go out partying. I was never a party girl. It’s a nice, quiet life that I’m enjoying now. I have changed 180 degrees.

Do you have a social life here?

Joyce: Yes, because all the members of my family are here. Most of them live in San Diego where I also have several friends. But my days are spent mostly going to the park when I’m not doing the grocery and keeping the house.

What do you miss most about showbiz?

On weekends, the Egbalics visit Joyce’s parents, Armando and Gloria Reintegrado (pictured), at their West Covina, California, residence

Joyce: Oh, I miss showbiz a lot! I miss my friends, the people that I worked with.

And the tsismis and controversies?

Joyce: Those I don’t miss. Come to think of it, I was never that controversial.

How else is the Joyce now different from the Joyce then?

Joyce: Then, my life was all about me. Now, my life is all about the kids. Before, when I went to the mall, I’d go straight to the shoe and clothes section, and buy things for myself. Now, I go straight to the kids’ section and buy things for my kids. It’s all about the little girls now. I hardly splurge on myself; it’s always for the kids.

Spoiled ka ni Ely, ano?

Joyce: Yes, I am! He’s a very good provider, a wonderful husband and father. He takes such good care of me and our girls. What more can I ask?

You still look sexy. How do you maintain your figure?

Joyce: I think breast-feeding helps a lot. I take a walk in the park and I still workout right at home. I do aerobics, lift weights and do the treadmill.

How many more kids do you plan to have?

Joyce: Ely wants two more. I want only one more.

Ely: We have to try for a boy.

Would you let Joyce go back to showbiz if she wanted to?

Ely: Of course, I would.

Joyce: I would love to. I miss the Philippines; I’m getting homesick na. Even if I grew up here, the Philippines will always be my home.

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