ABS-CBN fans would remember Jane Zaleta.
Jane was a graduate of the Kapamilya network’s youth-oriented gag show, Ang TV, which was so popular that the line “4:30 na, Ang TV na!” became the catchphrase of a generation.
She was batchmates with Camille Prats, John Prats, Claudine Barretto, and Jolina Magdangal.
Years later, Jane decided to leave the limelight and lead a private life outside showbiz.
In an e-mail interview with PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Jane gives a glimpse of her present life and some memorable moments she had while in showbiz.
ANG TV STAR
Jane was six years old when her mom urged her to join show business.
Looking back, Jane describes herself as “very bibo and had the typical ‘Uy, puwede kang artista’ traits.”
Her first show was RPN-9’s kid show Pen Pen De Sarapen with Connie Angeles and the famous educational show Batibot.
Jane recalls about Batibot, “I got to interact with puppets and mascots. Two of them were the very famous Pong Pagong and Kiko Matching. That was in 1986.”
She was also able to do commercials for famous brands and star in some movies.
One was Hukom .45, where Jane was nominated for Best Child Actress in the FAMAS awards.
Jane was discovered by Johnny “Mr. M” Manahan, head of ABS-CBN Talent Center (now known as Star Magic) in 1991. She was tapped to be part of Ang TV, a youth-oriented gag show that aired on weekday afternoons.
The show premiered in 1992 and launched the careers of Talent Center teen artists Claudine Barretto, Jolina Magdangal, Angelu de Leon, Rica Peralejo, Victor Neri; and child stars Camille Prats, Patrick Garcia, and Paolo Contis.
Looking back now, Jane says that she really enjoyed doing the show.
“I do not recall a single moment when I felt like it was ‘work.’ For me, it was all fun and games and being with friends.
“I never felt pressured of being like an artista because Mr. M allowed all of us to just be kids.”
In fact, they were allowed to look normal without make-up on.
“That time, we did not have to look pretty or be made up all the time. We were allowed to appear on the screen as we were—barefaced with sunburn or freckles or braces or no facials, and yes, without makeup at all.
“We were normal kids enjoying showbiz life without having the ‘artista ako’ feels. All natural.”
ESPERANZA AND FRIENDSHIP WITH JUDY ANN
In 1997, after graduating from Ang TV, Jane joined the prime-time series Esperanza as the best friend of lead actress Judy Ann Santos.
Jane enjoyed the experience mainly because she and Judy Ann were good friends even before doing the teleserye together.
“Judy Ann and I were childhood friends in showbiz, we got close because we were always together in most movies of our time.
“She played the young role of a famous actress and I played the young role of another. From one movie to another, one commercial to another, we got to be together.
“In Esperanza, Juday was and always has been a huge star. They picked me to play the role of one of her best friends in school.”
Esperanza would be her last teleserye before getting married.
“Although I was not able to stay longer in the serye, it’s one of the most memorable ones I will forever keep in my heart. It was my last showbiz appearance right before getting married.”
After her stint in Esperanza, Jane married former PBA player Aris Dimaunahan.
LEAVING SHOW BUSINESS
Shortly after getting married in 1998, Jane became pregnant with her first child, Alisteirre Jared.
Unfortunately, four days after giving birth, Jane lost her son to a congenital condition called diaphragmatic hernia.
She later got pregnant again with her second child, Christiana.
Jane continued to appear on TV in shows like Flames, Tabing Ilog, and Pangako Sa ‘Yo. However, she later chose to prioritize her family life, especially when she got pregnant again with her third child, Chanel.
Jane reveals her realization at the time: “I figured it wasn’t my calling anymore. I felt I’d be happier if I just forget about showbiz.”
Did she have a hard time adjusting to life away from the limelight?
She says, “It wasn’t at all a big adjustment for me, I was never as big a star as Judy Ann or someone else.
“When I got married at 18, I never felt the need to come back into the biz again… plus my husband was not really into me going back to it.”
Jane then decided to devote her time to being a homemaker.
“I enjoyed being a hands-on mom to my 2 daughters. I was a plain housewife, I love channeling the inner Martha Stewart in me; you know handcrafting, redecorating the house over and over.
“Until when Chanel was a bit bigger na, maybe she was 5 when I continued my studies and took BSN.”
PRESENT JOB
Jane studied BS Nursing at the Philippine College of Health and Science.
Currently, she works at St. Luke’s Medical Center as Section Manager for the Physician Relations Group.
In her e-mail interview with PEP.ph, Jane tells the story of her journey as a nurse.
“I am a registered nurse and have been a part of the St. Luke’s Medical Center Family for nine years now.
“Though I don’t get to practice bedside nursing, I am still able to communicate and interact with patients and assist them with all their hospital needs as a Patient Experience Officer.
“Currently, I am part of the Marketing Department as Section Manager for Physician Relations Group.”
Being a frontliner in this time of pandemic, she admits that it has been a challenge.
She tells PEP.ph. “Working in a hospital amidst this pandemic is draining and terrifying. We can’t control who we come in contact with, hence our safety is never assured.
“All we can do is be extra careful while strictly following the protocols, but anything can still happen and that makes me paranoid.
“When I get home, it’s sad that I can’t kiss my husband and daughters right away. Nonetheless, I am still grateful for having a means of contributing to my family’s expenses.”
WHAT JANE MISSES ABOUT SHOWBIZ
Does Jane miss showbiz?
The former actress does miss hanging out with her friends, especially her Ang TV batchmates Lindsay Custodio, Claudine Barretto, Ericka Fife, and Lailani Navarro.
She also gets to see most of her Ang TV batchmates in their yearly reunions.
But other than that, Jane says that she has “completely embraced” her married life.
“I moved on with my life outside showbiz, being a mom is a handful.”
She did, however, learn many things from her stay in the industry.
Jane makes sure to impart these lessons to her kids:
“Always be professional. Be grateful and appreciate what is being offered to you, [but] at the same time, know your worth. Never compromise your self-standards, values, and self-respect.
“Never compare yourself to others; life is not fair. All these I practice until now, and teach my kids the same.”
Is she open to any TV or movie project?
Jane answers, “I will have to ask my family, haha!
“But right now, I guess it’s our kids who will get to have offers instead of me.”
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