Krista Ranillo, Cristalle Lauren Tupaz Ranillo in real life, was the talk of the town a few months back because of reports linking her to boxer turned congressman Manny Pacquiao. The child actress turned sexy star was always followed around by the showbiz press to get her statement regarding her alleged relationship with Pacquiao and the supposed evidences that supported it.
In a segment on Showbiz Central yesterday, June 6, an interview with the actress in her home in Los Angeles gave viewers the opportunity to know what Krista feels now and how she is coping and moving on after the all the controversies and the public's view of her.
Krista began with the pivotal decisions she made for her career and accepting its consequences.
"Nakita ko na iyong public perception, it's not within your control," she said. "Minsan kasi, kagaya sa akin na nag-umpisa akong mag-artista bata pa lang, tapos nag-aral ako sa Ateneo noong college. Siyempre noong nag-comeback ako, suggest ng manager ko, e, 'Why don't you take this? Mag-FHM ka, mag-pose ka sa men's magazine.' Which I did naman. Ang nangyayari kasi minsan, nabababad ka minsan sa trabaho na nagagawa mo. So, naisip ko din na if lahat ng public perception talagang didibdibin mo, e, hindi ka magiging masayang tao, e."
Her decision to take a break from showbiz and concentrate on handling a clothing line business in the U.S. proved wise, but Krista admits that she misses good ol' Philippines. Though wanting to travel back and forth between the two countries, it was important for Krista to be always with her family.
"Pabalik-balik din ako dito as much as twice, thrice a year nandito talaga ako kasi I am very close to my family. Gusto ko kasama ko sila palagi. Pamilya ko, number one. Okay kami ng parents ko. We have a good relationship. Stronger, of course, my family has become stronger and even my whole clan," she said.
How is she living her life now?
"I'm very happy," smiled Krista. "I'm here at marami akong ginagawa. Sa buhay naman kasi minsan cliché, pero hindi talaga ikaw bibigyan ng something na hindi mo talaga kaya. It opened a lot of doors and opportunities. Talagang bumukas ang mata ko at pag-iisip ko sa kung ano pa ang puwede kong gawin sa buhay ko."
FORGING HER OWN SUCCESS. It was an easy life being the daughter of former matinee idol Mat Ranillo III and former model Linda Tupaz as Krista could not ask more from loving and generous parents. For her part, the independent-minded Krista wanted to prove, at her age, that she could make a name for herself and pave her own path to success.
"I have to admit noong bata ako, e, maganda talaga buhay namin kasi my mom came from a well-off family and we were pampered and went to a good school," admitted Krista. The after a pause, she continued, "Pero hindi, e. Ang importante ay may ma-achieve ako for myself, kaya nga nandito ako."
Krista was all in for a successfull career in the entertainment industry. She admitted her frustration, however, with the major intrigue factor attached to the business.
"Sa acting, marami pa akong gustong gawin at marami akong frustrations," she said. "Nakaka-frustrate din kasi minsan parang ang napapag-usapan, e, intirga kaysa sa trabaho mismo. Kaya nga nandito ako kasi balak ko pa mag-aral."
LOVE IN THE MAKING. Though Krista said she isn't romantically seeing anybody right now, she was happy to announce that she is inspired and there is someone that also prompted her to stay in the U.S.
When asked about this, she smiled and happily answered, "Yes! Kaya nga I am here, e. I'm not pregnant and I gained weight kasi ang sarap kumain, e."
Talking about her special someone, Krista said, "Masasabi ko talaga na I draw my strength from this person kasi he inspires me. Talagang sa lahat ng negative na lumalabas na masasabi ko na masakit talaga, e, ang importante ay mayroon kang nakakausap na naniniwala talaga sa iyo. He's single, he's a professional, and very successful. He is a businessman and very mabait."
When prodded for a name, she declined and said, "He is a very private person kaya hindi ko masabi. Kaya yun nga. He is a childhood friend, noong nag-aaral pa ako dito. Pamilya namin, close na, matagal na. I'm very happy and thankful."
OPPORTUNITIES AND PLANS. Being in the U.S. opened up plans and opportunities as well for the actress, like pitching the ceremonial opening pitch for the L.A. Dodgers baseball team and studying Law, among other things.
"Actually, masaya talaga ako dito, e," said Krista. "I understand mayroon pa akong commitments na kailangan tapusin at inaayos namin ng manager ko. Of course, hindi ko naman tatakasan 'yon. Dito kasi mas gusto ko buhay ko dito, e. Lumaki na ako dito and this has always been my home. I'm looking into studying sa Loyola School of Law. Siyempre, Jesuit din katulad ng Ateneo. Hopefully!"
She added, "This June 9, 2010 I will do the first pitch sa Dodgers games. Marami talagang opportunities... Iyong clothing line ko, pinagkakaabalahan na namin, matagal na. I design clothes with my cousin [David]. Hindi siya RTW so talagang private designer siya at hindi siya sa department store na brand. Mayroon siyang boutique [in San Fernando Valley, L.A.] and then pumayag siya na mag-collaborate kami ng younger line. Siya kasi, ginagawa niya, e, bridal wear. Sa shop, mayroon kaming mga samples at boutique sa amin, we get orders from all over the country."
Does Krista plan to extend her clothing line to the Philippines?
"Yes! Eventually, pero focus muna namin, e, dito," she said. "I've been studying at hina-hire kami for fashion events. Feeling mo, showbiz pa rin, pero behind the camera."
NO MORE BURDENS. With a lot of good things coming her way, Krista beleives that right now there are no more past issues to think about and the focus now is to concentrate on the future.
"Masasabi ko ngayon, wala na. Na-overcome ko na, e," she said. "Para sa akin, tapos na. I guess maraming positive na tao around me na nakatulong. I realized na parang dati kasi, dumating ako sa point na nawalan ako ng hope kasi hindi ko talaga ma-control, e. Gusto ko i-explain sa lahat pero hindi ko magawa kasi every time...pahaba nang pahaba. Then, kahit tahimik ako, e may bagong istorya na naman. Ang nangyayari, hindi matatapos, e. Na-realize ko na lilipas din.
"What's important siguro is prayer kasi iyon lang talaga na nakatulong sa akin. Maniwala ka sa sarili mo kahit lahat sinasabi, e, unfair. Try to be a better person every day. Nandiyan ang pamilya mo at iyong sinasabi tungkol sa iyo, e, hindi ka hihinto doon. For anything, mas gusto ko maging successful sa buhay. Madaming times talaga at hindi madali. Ang nangyari is pinag-usapan talaga, e. Nakakalungkot iyong mg labels na sinasabi. Ang focus ko lang talaga ngayon is what I can do and how I'm moving on from everything."
Is she planning on marrying her special someone someday?
She smiled and answered, "Of course when you are with someone, gusto ko talaga na habang buhay, especially a person as wonderful as he is and very supportive at wala talagang masabing masama about him. Hopefully someday. His family is also supportive. Talagang iba ang support and love na binibigay ng family niya. Sa akin, marami pa talaga akong hinahanap at gusto ko pa talaga subukan ang mga puwede kong gawin sa buhay. I want to live a fulfilled and meaningful life."
CALMER SHORES. On a final note, Krista wanted to express that she had endured and finally weathered the storm of intrigue that had viciously rocked her boat a few months back.
She proudly said, "I guess ang masasabi ko at this point of my life, e, masaya na ako at naka-move on na ako at na-weather ko na ang storm, Nasabi ko na lahat as much as I want to explain. Personal decision ko at feeling ko na hindi matatapos. Lahat naman ng mangyayari, e, gusto ko may closure. I feel like na-reach ko na ang point na may closure na ako."
She did not come to this point without feeling the downs while enduring it. She admitted, "Aaminin ko na dumating ako sa point na masyado akong naging concerned sa public perception na how will people react pag nakita nila ako. So far, lahat ng nakikita ko, very supportive dito man sa America or umuwi ako. One time nga naiyak ako dahil na-experience ko ang pagmamahal ng tao na hindi mo close. Iyong mga taong nakikita mo na pinaparamdam nila na mahal ka nila at sinusuportahan ka nila, e, iyon ang nakatulong sa akin.
"Na-realize ko na talagang may mga taong may puso," she said in gratitude. "Iyon ang importante. Tapos na. Wala nang masasabi ako. Walang kaaway at happy. Looking forward to the future. The bright future!"