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By Ricky T. Gallardo
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New
beginnings for Rosanna Roces |
It’s either you like her or you
don’t. She can be sharp, scandalous and straightforward. She
doesn’t mince words and is, more often than not, surreal. Rosanna
Roces was once tagged as Philippine showbiz’s most notorious
female celebrity. But people change, and now that she claims to have
found serenity in her renewed spirituality, Roces claims that her
dark days are finally over.
It was Osang who paved the way
for other sexy stars to make a big comeback on the silver screen
during the nineties. Her brave, bold films such as Patikim ng Pinya
(1996), Ligaya Ang Itawag Mo Sa Akin (1997), Ang Lalake sa Buhay ni
Selya (1997) and Curacha, Ang Babaeng Walang Pahinga (1998) made her
the inimitable ST Queen of Philippine movies during that time, and
one of the country’s most talked-about figures. Besides her daring
movies, she also became popular for her devil-may-care mentality.
She sprung from one controversy to another. With her tactless
comments and harsh words, she acquired more enemies than friends.
Her excessive partying and spending on her vices finally took their
toll on her when she was confronted with legal problems one after
the other which was perpetuated by a sagging career and resulted to
a very chaotic life. Jobless, separated and a mother of an
accidental teenage mom, Osang was living in the dark. But all of
that has ended now, as she bounces back with maturity, focus and a
lot of hope.
Osang admits that she abandoned
her spirituality when she entered showbusiness. “Nakakapagpabago
pala talaga ang showbiz. Parang lahat kasi madali, parang lahat kasi
masaya, parang lahat kasi mabilis,” she intones, adding, “Pero
kadalasan, wala palang ibig sabihin lahat—pera, fame, power, the
lifestyle of the rich and famous.” But after suffering for two
years when her marriage faltered, and friends turned their backs on
her, Osang decided that she needed to get her life back on track. It
was her brother, a pastor, who opened the heavenly doors for her
renewal. He pursued her to quit her old ways and start a new life as
a born again Christian. With the help of her church, the Assemblies
of God, she is now a transformed individual and has finally found
the light.
Now that she has renewed her
relationship with her God, Osang exudes a noticeable lighter aura,
with lightness emanating from within, one that she describes as
“much better than any makeover.” She no longer talks ill of her
detractors and has found solace in silence. When hurled with the
latest intrigues, she just shrugs these off and turns away quietly.
She is no longer materialistic and hedonistic, she is less stressed
and not prone to anger. One thing that she finds pleasure with these
days is spreading the good news and sharing how she found her new
life.
Moreover, she considers herself
blessed that she has reached the end of the tunnel and seen the
light. She has picked up the pieces, her kids are doing great and
becoming more mature in dealing with life, and she happily takes
care of her only grandson, Gab, whom she considers her greatest joy.
She also considers her numerous projects with ABS-CBN a bonus from
her spiritual renewal. She had a small but important role on
Ysabella, bagged the role of Roxanne Guinoo’s abusive mom on
Natutulog Ba Ang Diyos?, and is one of the characters to watch out
for in the second book of Maging Sino Ka Man. And true to her word,
Osang is taking her work seriously now, even reported to be on the
set one time when she was running a high fever. Roland Borja,
Osang’s new manager, revealed that his talent would no longer be
baring flesh in her projects, as she wants to be loyal to her
convictions.
“Ang dami ko nang pinagdaanan,”
she says. “I’m so happy na ang dami pa ring blessings na
binibigay si Lord sa akin ngayon. Ako na mismo ang magsasabi na,
‘Hindi talaga natutulog ang Diyos.’ Before, lagi akong
nagpapasalamat kung kani-kanino, pero nakakalimutan ko ang Diyos.
But now, I have found true love in Him and the Rosanna Roces before
is now dead. He delivered me from drugs and anything that’s bad,
including suicide attempts. Dati, puro maling love ang nararanasan
ko, but when I found God, that’s when I learned the real meaning
of love and life.”
Finally, with a deep sigh of
relief, the dark days of Rosanna Roces are over. Everybody deserves
a second chance. Even if you’re a Rosanna Roces.
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