Sunday, June 24, 2012

Amy Austria on life and love: ‘Treasure every moment’

Actress Amy Austria-Ventura shared that one of the best lessons she learned about life is the value of spending time with one’s loved ones. Despite other people’s protests, she recalled how she decided to quit showbiz in her 20’s to be with her longtime-partner, the late Jay Ilagan. “Na-experience ko mawalan ng mahal sa buhay ko before. Alam niyo naman lahat ‘yan na for almost ten years, ‘Naku ba’t niya sinasayang kabataan niya? For almost ten years, nandiyan lang siya sa bahay niya.’ Pero nung mawala siya (Jay), thank God ‘di ako nagtrabaho during that time na kukunin na pala siya. Kung umiyak man ako nung nawala siya, nami-miss mo lang, pero ‘di ako yung sayang yung ganito, ganyan. Wala akong pinanghinayangan,” she said during the press con of ABS-CBN’s newest teleserye, Lorenzo’s Time.
She even became emotional when Martin Nievera performed Good Morning, Yesterday during the opening of the press con. Amy had a health scare last year when she went through total hysterectomy to remove the mass found in her ovaries. “Important talaga yung panahon, yung oras. Almost 40 days ako sa hospital. Akala ko mamamatay ako. Mari-realize mo na ‘di importante yung achievement. Hindi mo maiisip kung ilan yung bahay mo, kotse mo, bag mo—yung mga material na bagay na pinapahalagahan natin sa mga panahon na ‘to. Ang iisipin mo kung ano yung naging pakikipagrelasyon mo sa tao, sa mahal mo sa buhay, lalo na sa Diyos. Treasure every moment.”

Happily married for 10 years now, Amy said that she makes it a point to prioritize her family over career. One of the things that keeps her busy these days is her beloved granddaughter Sabine who’s currently under her care while her daughter is in New Zealand for work. “[I’m so blessed] kasi nandiyan asawa ko, anak ko, tapos ngayon may apo ko. ‘Pag umaga gumising ka tapos nandiyan pala siya sa tabi mo, gagapang tapos ngingiti. Yun ang mga panahon na kahit magkano ibayad sayo ‘di mo ipagpapalit. Priceless. Pagdating ng panahon na aalis ka na sa mundo, ‘di mo naman maalala na kumita ako malaki nung ginawa ko ‘yan tapos ‘di ko pinuntahan yung anak ko kasi nagtrabaho ako kasi sayang pera. Ang iisipin mo yung makasama mo yung mga mahal mo sa buhay.

If she’d known that she’d be in charge of taking care of her granddaughter, Amy explained that she would have turned downed her role in Lorenzo’s Time. Nevertheless, she’s grateful to ABS-CBN for giving her projects that enables her to showcase her flair for drama. “Sa totoo lang ayoko. [Kaya lang] natanggap ko na ito. Noon sabi ng anak ko dadalaw lang tapos aalis sila. Nung nag-decide sila na iwan sa akin [si Sabine], naumpisahan ko na ‘to (Lorenzo’s Time). Hindi ka naman pwede umatras diyan. At saka nung prinesent nila sa akin after Minsan Lang Kita Iibigin nakita ko na worth it, inalagaan nila ako, ‘di nila ako pinabayaan. Kung tutuusin tumaas value ko as an actress dun. Kaya alam ko ‘di nila sasayangin yung ibinigay nila sa akin before [na opportunity].”

Having worked with legendary directors Lino Brocka and Ishmael Bernal, it’s no wonder how Amy developed a strong sense of discipline and passion for acting. “Importante mahal mo yung trabaho mo. May pagka-OC (obsessive-compulsive) ako. Kumbaga sa bahay ‘pag naglinis ako ng gamit ayoko ng ayos lang, gusto ko ayos na ayos. Sinasabi nga sa akin na, ‘Ano ba ‘yan ibebenta ba ‘yan? Ba’t parang bago na siya ulit? Kaya padating sa trabaho gusto ko pulido. And I pray for it. In fact may prayer partner ako, si Anthony Roquel. ‘May eksena akong ganito, ito ang gusto kong ano, Lord [I’d like to] borrow talent [from you], please help me.’ Kasi kung ako lang, hindi ko kakayanin.

Who among the young generation of stars has the greatest potential for her? “May sarili siyang tatak, si Maja (Salvador). Makakakanta, ang galing sumayaw, ilagay mo sa drama ang galing, ilagay mo sa comedy tawa ako ng tawa, sa personal ang gaan kasama, mabait na bata.”

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