"It feels so good na malaman mo na sarili mo, na mapatunayan mo sa sarili mo na hindi lang sa pag-aartista ang kaya mong gawin."
This was how award-winning actress Princess Punzalan described her experiences as a student in the United States. Princess, who was popular for her effective performance in kontrabida roles, told PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal) recently that she does not regret leaving showbiz to live a relatively quiet life abroad.
The daughter of veteran actress Helen Vela is now taking up Nursing in Sta. Monica College in California. Princess said going back to school after a fruitful career in showbiz makes her feel good.
"Kaya ko rin yung math, kaya ko rin yung science. Kumbaga, alam mo yung meron pa akong ibang puwedeng gawin sa buhay ko. And, masarap yung mga bagay, experiences na nangyari sa buhay. And masarap din yung tahimik, para kang... clean slate, umpisa ka ulit," she said.
STUDENT LIFE. Princess's life abroad is far from her glamorous life in Manila. Being a student forces her into a daily routine: she has to wake up on time, cook her own meals, and scout for parking space.
"Gigising ako ng alas-singko ng umaga, tapos mag-aaral nang konti, bago ako magluto ng almusal. Pagkatapos, maggagayak na ako para pumasok sa school. Kelangan alas siyete nandun na ako dahil mahirap ang parking," she related.
A school day is typically filled with study time.
"Maghapon na ako sa eskuwela, pagdating ko sa bahay magluluto ng hapunan, ayun, mag-aaral," she added.
Princess graduated from high school in 1985, and then she took up three years of Interior Design because it was "what her mother wanted." Now, Princess is taking up Nursing because she wants to work in the medical profession.
"Kasi gusto ko mag-doctor. Kaya lang, hindi ako willing na mag-aral ng 14 years. Oo, baka puti na yung buhok ko bago ako makapag-practice," Princess said.
Was it hard to go back to school after more than 20 years?
"Sa umpisa, mahirap bumalik agad sa pag-aaral dahil iba yung discipline," Princess explained. "Pero nakatulong yung nag-mememorya ka ng script at nag-aaral ka ng script, so hindi ganun kahirap mag-shift. Kailangan mo lang talaga ng disiplina at ayusin yung time schedule. Ano bang priorities mo, unahin mo, ganun."
She's doing quite well in her studies. "Ayoko naman magyabang pero okay naman. Oo, nasa dean's list naman ako," she said.
NO HOLLYWOOD PLANS. Princess also said she is happily married in the U.S. The actress met her husband Jay Field, a marketing professional in the field of cellular phones, through a common friend.
"Minatch niya kami kasi sabi niya, 'Princess parang nararamdaman ko na yung ugali niya at ugali mo ay magiging swak. Magiging compatible,'" Princess narrated.
Princess wants to lead a normal life and devote time for her husband, which is why she doesn't want to try out a career in Hollywood.
"Kaya nga ako nag-balik sa pag-aaral, kasi gusto ko ng normal na buhay. Kasi kung ipu-pursue ko ang pag-aartista doon, sometimes magkakaroon ka ng project at kailangan mong mawala for a few months dahil nga may on location, ganyan. Gusto kong mapangalagaan yung pamilya ko, yung relationship naming mag-asawa. So gusto ko ng trabaho na puwedeng nine to five, or merong regular schedule para magkikita kami," she explained.
But does she miss showbiz?
"Oo. Na-miss ko yung challenge na pag binigyan ka ng script, mabibigyang buhay mo at mapaniwala yung mga nanonood na totoo yung sinasabi mo. Yun, yun ang na-miss ko," she admitted.
And so, she agreed to do a guest role for GMA-7's newest fantaserye The Last Prince during her short vacation in the country.
"At least, kahit sa konting panahon na nakapagbakasyon ako dito, nakatikim ako ng konting camera muli. Siyempre, alam niyo na ang isang artista daw ay di napapagod sa pagiging isang artista. Hahanap-hanapin ng katawan mo ang pag-arte," she said.
GORDON IS HER CHOICE. Princess can easily visit the country because she remains a Filipino citizen. She can't vote in the May 2010 elections, though.
"Hindi po ako nakapag-register kasi nung time na nag-open ng registration sa New York, yun yung time na palipat kami from Connecticut to California. So, nasabay yung paglipat namin dun sa registration, so hindi ako naka-register. We moved because of work po para sa asawa ko," Princess explained.
But given a chance to vote for the country's President, who would she pick?
"Hindi ko pa po narinig lahat ng kandidato, pero parang Gordon-Bayani. Kasi may mga nakita akong ginawa na nila. I mean, siguro hindi pa ganun, very limited pa siguro yung pagkakalalam ko sa ngayon sa mga nakita ko siguro in the past. Sila siguro yung medyo nag-stand out sa isip ko," she said.