ARA MINA Eyes Serving in PASIG, Introduces SARAH DISCAYA

I didn't know Ms. Ara Mina personally (before this) but I know a lot about her line of work. She's a very formidable actress, who also found out at 21 about her biological father Chuck Mathay. She's known as Hazel to her closest friends, and has lived all throughout her childhood in the city of Pasig. This time, she told us of her intentions to become a City Councilor. She also shared how she wants to help with the causes that is closest to her, from women empowerment, to helping the urban poor, and also PWDs.

Ara says "Why not run so that I could help more people. Public service can be easier with programs and I think I can do that. Being a councilor in Pasig, I've had the chance to see my constituents. The reach I could have will be amplified. We will focus in Pasig, we still have a lot to do especially the projects we still have to finish. In health, we are trying to have free hospitalization in the city which we hope would come true in the next few years."

She adds "When I'm in Pasig, I know so many kids or their parents, they approached me telling how they were my classmates back in the days. I feel I can do more here because my roots are here. I live in Santolan, Pasig which is our ancestral house. We go around projects, do medical missions and give wheel chairs or medical equipment through LGU's. We were able to do that and people need it. This thought keeps us going." 

 

Ms. Ara Mina also introduced her friend Ms. Cezarah Rowena Discaya aka Ate Sarah in their community. She introduced herself during a short luncheon at her businesses headquarters in F. Manalo of the same city. Their friendship started with the same causes they believe in, specifically in the PWD sector where Ms. Ara's sister and Ms. Sarah's kids were part of.

She says "I am Sarah, Ate Sarah to folks here. I grew up in the UK and studied there. Went back to the Philippines to study here and was raised by our Dad who always taught us to give to the less fortunate, because we know it will go back tenfold. Being a true blue Pasigueño, I think I have a good chance to have a friendly competition in the campaign. Coming from the private sector, it's different, more busy, and still have to work in the company and be there for the kids when I go home."

"We are preparing to make Pasig become a smart city. I also work in customer service which is why we are accommodating people the same way we have with our customers. The dream is to have a more efficient health care system in Pasig, a new hospital too where we can implement zero billing. We learned from provinces like South Cotabato and Iloilo who were already able to do it in their towns. Pasig is a progressive city and it is possible to do it. We also want to do the same with private hospitals too."

Here's the press conference which happened yesterday:

Ms. Ara Mina and Ms. Sarah Discaya was fun to talk to. They're people who indulge in social services, motherhood, and business. I'm glad people in Pasig have options.

IVANA ALAWI Enters Pinoy Big Brother Celebrity Collab Edition House

It was a nice afternoon to see Ivana Alawi right before her PBB stint which none of us was aware of. It was a simple thanksgiving event which she arranged for the support she's getting from the press and bloggers, so it was certainly a surprise to see her in the famous house days after.

Were there any clues?

None at all, because much of the talk that transpired that afternoon revolved around her success, the brands she's representing, and getting married among others.

The YouTube star will certainly be seen in a more "personal" way now that she's in the ABSCBN and GMA partnered celebrity edition of the show which they dubbed as COLLAB, something she's quite used to.

She mentioned during our small talk that most of her content didn't really have scripts and just happens when it happens. She was very witty, down to earth, and doesn't mind answering even the most controversial of issues thrown at her. She confirmed some jewellery endorsement woes are on trial which prohibited her from speaking about it. 

Will she do good on the show?

Definitely. Her personality shines in her recent YouTube episodes and her hunger to even create interesting talk with Barbie Forteza (which she deems is still the same person she was with years ago) is a testament for the kind of person she is in or out of the cameras.

She also shared how she wanted to work with previous winner Fyang soon. Maybe that'll happen when she gets out from the house of Kuya.

Here's our interview with her a few days ago:

I'm rooting for her.

2024's Most Beautiful Face ANDREA BRILLANTES

Seeing her up close would have made the case of being number 1 in the Most Beautiful Face of the Year a no contest. It's the annual voting list run by TC Candler, a creator based in LA. There have been 7 Filipinas in that list this year but the Top 1 post went to ANDREA BRILLANTES, one of Star Magic's brightest stars.

She's also been given the SPOTLIGHT by the artist agency last week and we got to talk to her a bit about getting the recognition and asked a few more things about what she plans to do this 2025. She's had a pretty lucky 2024, and for sure, ABS-CBN has huge plans for her especially after getting in this really popular list.

We talked to Andrea at the SPOTLIGHT set by Star Magic. They really prepared a lot for this event and interview (mainly to recognize their accomplishments of course!).

Andrea says "I was quite surprised about the video, I didn't know you were going to do that. I tied my hair today because of that list. Last year I was also there but I didn't get the top spot, but this year when I learned about it, I said hala, I'm top 1? I asked my Mom immediately and told her she's got a daughter that made the top spot. But really, I'm so thankful. It's the bragging rights that I could tell my friends now, really happy about it but I couldn't have that in my head, I couldn't wrap my head around it."

She adds "Right now I'm enjoying my free time because I don't have a show, but I've got a ton of things to do especially with business. I set my priorities, but try to also enjoy my youth. I also help with my community, my church, and try to learn a new sport like frisbee. I try to be intentional with my time, try to find some for everything. It's quite precious for me because I have to have energy for it everyday. I try to travel, my schedule is crazy, but want to have a work life balance. I want to manage my time because you can't disappear when you're in this business. I think it's important to have sleep, above anything, no matter how beautiful you are. Now I'm adding veggies to my diet, try to take care of that and what I eat. I also invest in skincare, do makeup, I've been doing it since I was 16 and I think I've got a pretty good grasp of it. If I'm tired, I just do my routine. I try to fit it in one hour or 30 minutes just to take care of myself." 

"You don't just have to be pretty outside, I try my best to be good, my attitude. I think making your heart pretty is better."

With all the things she's been through, she knows herself even more. She plans to do more shows, programs, movies, even other things outside showbiz. It's her experience that makes her an even better person, and we saw that during the SPOTLIGHT event with her.