Bea Alonzo has no grand party plans when she turns 35 on Oct. 17. But the Start-Up star has already asked her home network GMA for a month-long leave to enjoy a wellness break and at the same time, bring her mom and family to her newly-purchased property abroad, which is an apartment in Madrid, Spain.
In a previous YouTube vlog, Bea revealed that she bought a unit found in a building designed by famous Spanish architect Tristan Domecq and located in Chamberi, a district described as “traditional” with “aristocratic architectural flair.”
The STAR had to ask the actress what her “next big goal” is after her what we could only imagine as a very pricey but well-deserved acquisition. It turned out Bea got so inspired by Start-Up that she’s looking to start a business.
“Marami pa (goals). I want to put up my own brand and my own company. Na-inspire ako kay Dani,” she excitedly shared, referring to her character in the primetime series with Alden Richards, Yasmien Kurdi, Jeric Gonzales, among others, about the world of start-up companies.
“You know, Yasmien got inspired also. She’s gonna put up one after our show, but I won’t announce it for her… but meron siyang business inspired by Start-Up,” she added.
As for the type of business she intends to venture into, Bea admitted she’s still carefully studying things and that it’s partly why she’s going on a month-long leave.
“We’re still trying to figure it out. Actually, that’s part of the reason why mag-le-leave din ako. Ina-asikaso namin,” she further told The STAR.
Meanwhile, the Philippine remake of the hit South Korean drama with the same title is Bea’s first TV series as a Kapuso after her network transfer in 2021. Being with GMA is like a “second wind” for her. The last time she topbilled a teleserye was back in 2017. “So, I’m happy (because) na-miss nila ako and tinanggap nila ako. This time, (it’s) a different channel. I feel like I’m also tapping a different audience na hindi siguro ako napapanood before. And happy ako, tinatanggap ako with warmth and open arms,” she said of the public reception to the drama’s first week of airing.
Bea also shared that she connected to her character Dani’s personality as a goal-getter. “I’ve been in the business for 21 years and until now, I still feel the need to deliver. I don’t relax, alam ‘yan ng mga taong nasa paligid ko.
“Maybe that’s my nature, yun yung quality ko. I never sleep on set… kahit breaks, I never sleep on set because I keep thinking about my next scenes and what I can do to improve myself. That’s how I’m able to resonate with Dani,” she said.
Given the overarching theme of her new drama, The STAR also asked Bea about her favorite memories from her beginnings in the entertainment industry. To recall, she was only 14 when she made her showbiz debut as a member of the Star Circle Batch 10.
She looked back: “Naalala ko yung first time nakita ko yung sarili ko sa big screen… when I was 15. Dun nag-umpisa yung realization ko na artista na talaga ako… Ito talaga yung pinangarap ko. Hindi ako yung napilitan mag-artista or na-discover lang. I really want to be an actress. That’s my dream.”
Another fond memory of hers was being able to travel abroad for the first time, the US in particular, for work.
She also remembered the first time she discovered she had fans. “Nag-noontime show ako nun. Then, there were people carrying banners bearing my name — Bea Alonzo,” she said.
She recalled wrongly assuming that these people were just being forced to hold these banners up, and that everything was staged and scripted. “So when fans approached and had their pictures taken with me, and they were saying they accepted me, they loved me, I just couldn’t believe it! Totoo pala may fans na ako. Those are my fond memories of when I was starting out,” she said.
Bea could say that she has since changed a lot not just as an actress, but also as a person.
“Actually, malaki. It’s not just in acting but in all things, kahit sa ganitong events, concerts abroad, interviews and cover shoots. Before, pre-pandemic or maybe when I was younger, parang lagi akong may gustong patunayan (I always wanted to prove something) and I was more concerned with what people would say about me,” she said.
“Now, after the pandemic, I’m starting a new chapter in my career. Now that I have newfound opportunities, I feel like I also have this newfound confidence. Sa totoo lang… dati marami rin naman akong opportunities na sini-celebrate ng mga tao, like box-office movies, TV shows, and I really enjoyed those things.
“But the difference now is that…before, mas nag-iisip ako ng, ‘I’m not good enough,’ kasi bata ka and you’re always thinking baka mawala ‘to eventually. So, you’re always in a rush.”
Nevertheless, what Bea primarily realized over the pandemic is how time is fleeting. “Ang daming nawala na mga mahal sa buhay during the pandemic… I know that (life) is fleeting and we don’t even know if there’s still a third wind. So right now, I just try to enjoy the moment and try to live the moment as much as possible.”