Twenty-seven years after entering showbiz, Tanya Garcia remains one of the prettiest faces in the industry.
That is truly admirable, especially for someone who is not fond of skincare products and does not follow a strict beauty routine even in her youth.
"Alam mo, hindi talaga ako ma-beauty regimen. Ever since, hindi ako nagsu-soap ng face," Tanya told PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) during a recent chat while at the taping of the movie, Sunny, in Binangonan, Rizal.
Produced by Viva, Sunny is an adaptation of a 2011 Korean drama-comedy film.
Its Philippine version brings together beloved '90s young stars, including Tanya, alongside Sunshine Dizon, Angelu de Leon, Katya Santos, Candy Pangilinan, Ana Roces, and Vina Morales.
Read: Katya Santos undergoes IVF treatment: "Hopefully, by next year, magka-baby na ulit."
Going back to her skincare routine, Tanya added, "But because I'm 42 now, I really need moisturizers, parati nilang sinasabi sa akin.
"Pero hindi ko kasi nakalakihan yun. I never really did it as a habit, as my beauty regimen."
STICKING TO THE BASICS
Instead of using various skincare products, Tanya subscribes to the idea of embracing a healthy, more natural lifestyle, to take care of one's self.
"I eat right, I sleep well — yung mga basic lang talaga na ginagawa," Tanya elaborated.
"Pero yung sa face, hindi lang talaga ako masyadong mapahid. Pero kailangan na, di ba, yung mga eyecream, yung mga ganun."
So what's her secret for maintaining that youthful look?
"What I do na lang is drink a lot of water pag napi-feel ko na na dry na yung skin ko, yun alam ko na nade-dehydrate na ako.
"I try to eat lots of vegetables and fruits, yung mga basic talaga na dapat nating gawin. Pero yung mga pahid-pahid [wala], kasi medyo tamad talaga ako sa ganyan."
Ironically, Tanya felt that shunning from using too many beauty products might have helped her skin against usual skin problems.
"Blessed lang talaga ako kasi hindi ako nagkaka-pimples. Maybe because nga hindi ako nasanay sa ganun [applying skin products].
"Kahit soap [on the face], hindi rin talaga ako nagsu-soap ever since. Water lang talaga pang-cleanse ko and baby oil, yun lang."
HEALTH ISSUES AND KEEPING HERSELF FIT
Tanya, who is a mother to three daughters — Mischa Amidala, Matilda Anika, and Madeleine Ariana — seldom appears on television and in movies nowadays.
It has been that way since she decided to be a hands-on mom and wife to husband, former Pampanga Governor Mark Lapid.
Read: Tanya Garcia recounts family ordeal when everyone tested COVID-19 positive
Not being preoccupied with showbiz commitments afforded Tanya flexibility in terms of time and activities she chooses to do solo or as a mom and wife.
Tanya makes good use of her time by engaging in physical activities to keep her in shape.
"What I do lang talaga is, like right now, since hindi naman ako masyadong nagte-taping, pili lang talaga, I really have time for myself," smiled Tanya.
"I do pilates two to three times a week. I have a [fitness] coach, so I exercise."
Tanya, however, might have to tweak the intensity level of her exercise activities after a recent health issue.
Just recently, Tanya revealed undergoing treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome.
The condition is characterized by numbness or tingling in the ring and small fingers, as well as pain in the forearm. It also causes hand pain and weak grip caused by muscle weakness.
Tanya went to the doctor after experiencing, for months, difficulty and pain when clutching her hand and when grasping or gripping objects.
"Parang meron lang siyang nakabara sa veins, something like that," explained Tanya.
"So nagpa-PRP [platelet-rich plasma] injection ako, para lang bumukas siya. Para hindi siya maging painful kasi it was painful, and then yung grip ko masara ko pa rin siya kasi I couldn't grip talaga, e."
But what could have caused the condition?
Tanya, smiling, said in a hushed tone, "Sadly, as you age.
"Sabi, as you age raw. So, yon yun, as you age talaga."
Tanya will continue therapy to help her nerves and muscles regain their old form.
"Yung injection usually once a year daw yun.
"So far, okay na siya. Wala na akong napi-feel na pain and yung grip ko, okay naman na."