AT A GLANCE
Asked about her message to Deborah, Ara said: "May God bless you always. Hangga't kayo ko andito lang ako and I really hope na marami kang magawang project. You'll never know baka sa mas malaking (bahay) ka na tumira. Basta ipagpatuloy mo lang ang iyong pagiging renewed person at mabuting tao. Kahit hindi ako madalas sumasagot sa mga words of wisdom mo, binabasa ko po yun. She knows na andito lang ako."
Ara Mina (Nice Print Photography)
Actress-businesswoman Ara Mina recalled the time she reached out to veteran star Deborah Sun who at that time was having a difficult time.
At the sidelines of the press conference for her upcoming movie "Litrato" under 3:16 Media Network in Quezon City last July 4, Ara said that she really feels uncomfortable discussing her assistance with other people. But since Deborah already mentioned it in the interview, it's okay for her to talk about it. The actress said it started when Deborah sent her inspiring text messages on a daily basis.
"Everyday she sends me words of wisdom, Bible verses. Kahit hindi ako nakakareply everyday niya ako pinapadalhan. Sumasagot lang ako mg emoticon or amen dahil busy rin naman ako."
"Nawala na sa isip ko na seven years na pala yun. One time tinawagan ko siya kasi I've never visited her. Pumunta ako doon one time pero hindi ako pumasok. Pero sobrang tagal na pala nun," she added.
It was Deborah who revealed to the media that Ara was really all-out in helping during an interview for the YouTube show of actress Snooky Serna recently.
"Sabi ko kumusta na kayo dyan, video-han mo tita para makita ko kung maayos ba dyan or may kulang pa kayo. So ayun, umiyak lang siya. Sabi niya aayusin ko muna anak. Sabi ko huwag ka ng umiyak. Sabi niya pina-paalis mo na ba ako? Sabi ko hindi," Ara said.
"That was my first investment. Siguro una ko siyang na purchase. Mga 1997 or 1998 the time when I left That's Entertainment.
"Masarap tulungan si Tita Deb. She's appreciative. Lagi niyang sinasabi papatayuan na kita ng monumento," Ara laughed.
Ara said that she also endorsed her other friends in showbiz who have no work. She's happy that Debrah is slowly going back to showbiz.
"Yung mga kaibigan kong artista na walang work ine-endorse ko rin. Hindi lang si Tita Deborah. Pero I'm happy may nagma-manage na sa kanya. Si Tyron Escalante. So puwede na po ninyong kunin sa work si Tita Deborah," she also said.
Ara Mina with daughter Amanda Gabrielle Meneses and husband businessman Dave Almarinez (Instagram)
Ara believes that Deborah has changed for the better and prays for her showbiz comeback.
"Matagal na buo ang tiwala ko na hindi na siya babalik sa old ways. The fact na pinatira ko siya doon sa condo, may tiwala ako.
"Dati plano ko ibenta yung condo. Nahihiya talaga ako sa kanya na maliit yung condo ko. Pero na-appreciate niya ng sobra. Meron kasing bang tinulugan mo hindi mo ramdam yung appreciation. Pero si Tita Debs ramdam mo na hiyang-hiya Talaga siya," she added.
"Very honest siya. Minsan sinasabi niya wala talaga silang pangkain ngayon. Ang birthday niya is Dec. 31. Busy lahat ng tao. Lagi na siyang kasama sa hinahanda ko na food para sa birthday niya sa salubong sa bagong taon na kahit papaano may pagkain sila," Ara said.
Asked about her message to Deborah, Ara said: "May God bless you always. Hangga't kayo ko andito lang ako and I really hope na marami kang magawang project. You'll never know baka sa mas malaking (bahay) ka na tumira. Basta ipagpatuloy mo lang ang iyong pagiging renewed person at mabuting tao. Kahit hindi ako madalas sumasagot sa mga words of wisdom mo, binabasa ko po yun. She knows na andito lang ako."
On cloud nine
Ara, 44, is also on cloud nine these days after she finally fulfilled one of her dreams after 30 years.
For the first time, Ara will host her magazine talk show entitled "Magandang Araw" on Net25.
"It's a travel magazine show. May pagka-reality rin. Anything I can tackle like yung mga side ng artista na hindi alam ng tao like mga talent nila. Meron din health, beauty, wellness, fitness, and motherhood. May D.I.Y. din. It's a co-production," she said.
Ara and Dave (Instagram)
Ara revealed that Oprah Winfrey was her peg in fulfilling her dream project.
"It's my dream project after 30 years. I've been watching Oprah since I was a teenager. Sabi ko sana magkaroon ako ng ganung show. Bata pa ako nun at saka puro movies ako nun. This is special to me kasi marami akong gustong i-share sa tao," she said.
"Sobrang happy ako noong lumabas yung permit ng MTRCB. Iba yung feeling! Hands-on kasi ako pagdating sa editing, contents, scriptwriting. Halos lahat ng inputs meron ako," Ara added.
Ara said that she's happy her husband Philippine International Trading Corporation President and CEO Dave Almarinez has adjusted to her busy schedule in showbiz.
"Ako na ang nagrequest kay Dave na next year na kami magka-baby. Plinano namin na next year na kasi parang next year na talaga nakatadhana na magkaroon kami ng baby.
"Sabi naman niya, 'bigyan mo na ako ng date para magbakasyon naman tayo ng apat na araw bago tayo umariba muli sa trabaho. Itong July we will have a date.
"Hindi ko pa alam kung saan kami kasi mag-bi-birthday na rin siya. Sabi ko puwede bang two-in-one na lang. Alam mo na kapag may asawa ka na, anak, at business, nagtitipid na rin naman," Ara said.
Ara also revealed her other dream projects in showbiz.
"I want to have a Cinemalaya project. Hindi ko pa yun nagagawa. I think hindi ko pa talaga nagagawa in my entire career is rom-com. Parang Julia Roberts type. Pero bawal na ako sa kissing scene. Siguro dayain na lang. Gusto ko rin ng theater. It's part of your learning. You never stop learning kapag matagal ka na sa industriya," she said.
A scene from the movie 'Litrato' under 3:16 Media Network
Ara also said that she's willing to accept an international project even if the talent fee is not big.
"We can work it out naman kasi kung maganda naman yung role. Naging producer din ako so alam ko yung feeling nila. Lalo na ang local movie industry hindi pa bumabalik as before," she added.
Ara also reiterated that her sexy roles in the movies are over. "Tapos na tayo sa mga sexy scenes. Baka sabihin ng iba si Ara walang pinagkatandaan. Ibigay na natin yun sa iba. Ibang chapter na tayo ngayon. We need to breakaway from roles. Pero depende kung pang-award ang role. Kung pang Oscars yun why not? Ngayong married na ako, lahat ng gagawin ko I consult with my husband. Supportive siya sa akin."
Ara also considers her husband Dave her lucky charm. "After ko mag-asawa ang dami kong blessing. Ang daming projects na dumarating. Usually pag nag-aasawa ka, lie low ka muna."
On finances, Ara said: "Tulungan kami. Nagbibigay siya ng money sa akin pero hindi naman ako nagbibigay sa kanya. One thing na maganda sa kanya is may kusa siya. Hindi ako humihingi ng allowance sa asawa ko. Kung ano ang ibinigay niya, I just accept it. That's why he loves me. He's very generous. I can say I'm happy and content with my life now."
