BEAUTY GONZALEZ was already planning to transfer to another television network when she was offered to topbill an afternoon teleserye.
She gained fame for playing Romina Mondragon in ABS-CBN’s “Kadenang Ginto.”
That role is her current character in the highly successful afternoon teleserye Kadenang Ginto, Romina Mondragon, which made Beauty a household name.
“It was Lauren talking to Beauty and then sabi ni Lauren, ‘Kunin mo na si Beauty for Kadena.’ Tapos sabi ko, ‘O, sige.’ Mi-neet namin siya. And then we were trying to persuade her na… because she was gonna move to another network at that time,” divulges Dreamscape Entertainment Head Deo Endrinal at the presscon proper of Kadenang Ginto held this Friday, July 5.
Endrinal was referring to Laurenti Dyogi, ABS-CBN TV production head.
At that time, Endrinal was still completing the cast members of the afternoon teleserye.
Endrinal heeded Dyogi’s advice and offered Beauty the role.
And the rest, as they say, is history. Beauty, who seemed a bit embarrassed for being put on the spot, reasons out, “I was just a friendly neighbor.”
She then goes on to thank Endrinal for being her “fairy godmother.”
“Thank you, ABS-CBN because I’m happy to be here and I don’t wanna leave anymore.
“I was just being a friendly neighbor. Nakikain lang ako ng litson tapos bumalik din ako.”
Beauty was asked if she is glad that she stayed with her home network.
“I’m glad I stayed, I made the right choice.
“And I’m glad they didn’t let me go and now, I’m gonna chain myself to them.
“Ikakadena ko na ang sarili ko sa ABS-CBN.”
Currently, she has an existing contract with ABS-CBN, which expires in 2020.
When asked why she initially wanted to switch networks, she simply repeated, “I was just being a friendly neighbor.”
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THREE YEARS into their marriage, actress Regine Angeles still gushes when talking about her supportive husband Van Victor Leano.
“He visits me on the set or sometimes drives for me when I don’t have sleep.
“When I was younger and used to have kissing scenes, he said, ‘Okey lang,’ pero di na lang daw siya manonood.”
After giving birth to Alesso in October 2017, Regine admitted to going through a postpartum depression.
She continues, “I guess it was the idea of just being stuck at home all day every day.
“I was so used to being out all the time, working all day. I was even working until I was eight months pregnant.
“And, suddenly, I am living inside a room feeding my baby. All I see is the FOUR corners of our room.
“To overcome it, I really prayed. It came to a point that I didn’t want to be with people during that time.
“My husband encouraged me to go out more often. I needed to be with other people.”
Regine recounted how Van gave her the much-needed emotional support.
“My husband would ask me what’s wrong…and I would always tell him, ‘Di ko alam bakit.’
“Dami niya tao minessage like mga friends niya na may asawa.
“Sabi niya, ‘Talk to her or si ganito pala went thru the same thing also…
“Mag-usap-usap kayong mga mommies may kulto kayo.
“’Mas kayu-kayo nagkakaintindihan.’ So medyo natawa na lang ako…”
And when she dilly-dallied about making a showbiz comeback, Van’s gosignal meant a lot to her.
“When Alesso was three months old and there was a job off er, Van said that it’s better if I go back to work.
“And he was right. I began to slowly recover from my depression.”
Are they planning to have baby number two?
“Yes, probably, late next year. Kakasimula ko pa lang ulit mag-work this year, and Alesso is turning two years old pa lang.
“Hopefully, next year, ay maplano namin ang magiging kapatid ni Alesso.”
How’s her motherhood journey so far?
“Being a mother naman changed me in so many ways. I am more patient. I became selfless.
“And suddenly I’m very emphatic, every child I see is also my child.
“When it comes to working naman, parang I have the need to work even harder for my child.”
Van Victor was the winner of 2009 Century Tuna Superbod.
