Kris puts her money to good use

Kris Bernal uses her head.

Knowing fully well that stardom is not forever (you know, here today, gone tomorrow), she doesn’t just sit pretty between assignments. Last seen in the GMA soap Impostora (as the dual titular role), Kris will appear next in Mag-asawa, Magkaribal with Thea Tolentino among her co-stars.

Not many people know that away from showbiz, Kris thinks of ways to invest her money wisely.

“I am an entrepreneur at heart,” she said. “I want to have my own business where I can tap my creativity. I want to inspire my colleagues to invest their earnings. More than that, I also want to create jobs for other people.”

Her newest business is House of Gogi, a Korean barbecue restaurant located at Dapitan 55 Lifestyle Complex in Banawe, Quezon City, where she recently invited movie writers to “sample” some of the Gogi dishes.

Why did you call your restaurant House of Gogi?

“We offer high-quality meat. We guarantee that our meat is freshly-delivered every day. We specialize in beef bulgogi which is something I’m really proud of. That’s why it’s House of Gogi because we’re focusing on our high-quality meat.”

What other dishes does it offer (and are the prices affordable)?

 “We offer unlimited beef and pork, unlimited Korean side dishes. Aside from that, what makes us different also from other Korean grills is that we offer unlimited bibimbap. I think only a few restaurants offer that and if not few, I guess we’re the only one. The prices are affordable because at lunch time our rate is at P399 and our dinner is at P449. When you compare it also to other Korean grill restaurants, our price is cheaper, considering we offer a lot of different dishes.”

Why the food business?

“Usually after a show, that’s the time when I attend to other things. Na-bo-bore kasi ako 'pag wala akong ginagawa. I’m the type of woman kasi who wants my every day to be productive. Naisip kong mag-business. Why food? Because food yung talagang alam mong kasama sa necessity ng tao. At the same time, my boyfriend is a chef. Their family business is supplying all kinds of meat and dairy. I have all the resources na so it’s easier for me to open a restaurant.”

What happened to the fruit-juice business you put up a few years ago?

“It was an endorsement. That was five years ago pa. I got a free booth and free kiosk that’s why I took advantage of putting up that kiosk. I was young pa that time. After my contract expired, I didn’t pursue it na din. I was only 22 at that time and I didn’t think of investing in business yet.”

How different is Mag-asawa, Magkaribal from your last soap?

“In Impostora, I was a bida-kontrabida ako. That was my first time to portray a dual role. It ended last February. Mag-asawa, Magkaribal tackles the LGBT community. I’m excited to work with Thea and to know more about the story. Sabi ko nga whenever I finish a show, ‘yun ‘yung time na nag-e-explore ako ng different hobbies. Now I’m focused on House of Gogi.”

How’s your love life (on hold) now that you’re busy with career and business? 

“Now that I am 29, I can say that I already have a boyfriend. Before kasi, loveteam loveteam lang…for eight years. I’m more open now with my private life. Happy naman. He’s my partner in House of Gogi. He’s my chef. He’s also my supplier so he helps me with anything business-related. Siya lagi ‘yung tumutulong sa akin. Like this year, I’m going to launch a lipstick line. Kahit hindi about food, he’s guiding me. I didn’t finish naman any business course so hindi ko alam ‘yung mga ganoong bagay.”

How is your house in the States?

“I bought a house in the US because my sister is working there as a nurse. There was a time that she got sick, almost in a very critical condition na talaga. That pushed us to give her all the comfort and ‘yung mga talagang makakatulong sa kanya. I decided to buy a house near where she works. Since the house is big, ginagawa niya na ring business. She can accommodate Filipino boarders while no one is visiting from the family. At least din 'pag bumibisita kami comfortable kami na may bahay kami doon.”

With a house in the US, how often do you travel between the US and the Philippines?

“Ever since my sister got there, siguro I travel once a year. This year, I went last June to check out the house. That was my first time to see the house kasi usually communication lang through the Internet and it was my sister who was attending to the papers. I will go there with my mom in November because it’s my sister’s birthday. I’ll stay there for three weeks. Siguro mas mapapadalas na ‘yung bisita ko sa US kasi it’s more convenient na rin.” 

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