Mula sa pagiging miyembro ng dating all-female singing group na Viva Hot Babes na sumikat nung early 2000, ngayon ay isa nang businesswoman sa Amerika si Ella V.
Parte ng second generation ng Viva Hot Babes, kasama si Ella sa mga nagpasikat ng mga kantang tulad ng “Sayaw Kikay” at “Basketball.” Napanood din siya sa ilang Kapamilya at Kapuso serye tulad ng Lastikman, Joaquin Bordado, at Asian Treasures.
Ngayon ay nagbabalik ng Pilipinas si Ella V.
Bumisita si Ella V sa Pilipinas kamakailan, at babalik siya sa August para maglunsad ng kanyang skincare business.
Eksklusibong nakapanayam ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) si Ella V via Facebook Messenger.
Tinanong ang ex-Viva Hot Babes member kung may balak ba siyang subukang muli ang pag-arte.
Sagot niya, "Why not?! Nakaka-miss din ang umarte.
"But my priority right now is my business as we’re expanding in the Philippines. It’s an exciting time for sure!"
Hanggang sa ngayon ay bukas pa rin ang komunikasyon niya sa ibang dating mga kasamahan sa Viva Hot Babes at nagkikita pa rin sila kapag umuuwi siya ng Pilipinas.
"Of course! They’re all near and dear to me. I value the friendship I formed with them and I continue to maintain it by keeping in touch with them.
"Especially when I’m in the Philippines I try to meet up with them to catch up. Katya, Jaycee, Maricar, Sheree, and Reic I would say are very close to me.
"Not only do they support my skincare business venture but they’re genuinely happy for me."
Ang tinukoy ni Ella V na mga kapwa Viva Hot Babes ay sina Katya Santos, Jaycee Parker, Maricar dela Fuente, Sheree, at Reic o Rachelle Villanueva.
Kasikatan ng Viva Hot Babes nang magdesisyon si Ella na umalis ng bansa at pumunta sa America.
Tinanong ng awtor na ito si Ella kung ang dahilan kaya niya tinalikuran ang showbiz ay dahil walang kasiguraduhan dito, at kung mababa ba ang talent fee noon.
“Everyone in show business has an expiration date and we all know that. My decision leaving showbiz is more of questioning myself where I want to be in 5-10 years.
“But the major contributing factor is having met my husband and not wanting a long-distance relationship,” pagbabahagi niya.
Ang napangasawa niyang si Shane Manalang ay isang Fil-Am na lumaki sa California.
Dagdag pa ni Ella V, "We met while I was doing a show here in L.A. We were introduced and started dating.
"I was back and forth here in U.S. and we decided get married since we both felt it was just right for us."
Tinanong din ang dating Viva Hot Babe tungkol sa dynamics nila ni Shane.
Sabi ni Ella V, “There was language barrier and culture difference. Although he’s a Filipino, he grew up here and is accustomed to the American way.
“Eventually both of us adapted and made some compromise to understand each other better.”
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ON SKINCARE BUSINESS
Balak ni Ella V na ilunsad ang kanyang skin care business na VGlow Beauty Bar Spa, VGlow skin care products, at Esthemax sa Pilipinas.
Ipinagpapasalamat ni Ella na kahit dumaraan ang pandemya ay maganda pa rin ang takbo ng kanyang negosyo.
"I’m doing very well and I’m blessed that despite the current pandemic we still manage to stay healthy and keep our businesses running."
Bakit naisip niya na skincare ang pasuking negosyo?
Sagot niya, "I’m very particular with my skin even before. Believe it or not, I struggled with bad skin in my teens. I remember my mom taking me to a couple of derm clinic to get my skin worked up.
“Overtime, I developed a conscious effort to make sure my skin is nourished. That’s where my passion for skincare began.
"And I want to help my clients to get their glow back. Because I know how it felt being so self-conscious.
Inamin ng ex-Viva Hot Babes member na maraming challenges na pinagdaanan ang kanyang negosyo pero sa kabila nito ay hindi siya sumuko.
"Challenges and struggles are part of any business. What drives the business going is my determination to find ways not to just to float but to continue to evolve. 'Cause sa panahon ngayon, everybody wants something [that] works."
ADVICE TO ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS
Sa huli ay nagbigay ng payo si Ella V sa ibang mga kababaihang gustong subukan ang pagbi-business at gusto maging matagumpay sa buhay.
Sabi ni Ella, "Don’t tell yourself pangmeron lang pera ang pagnenegosyo. That’s not true.
"Always ask how and where to start. And you’ll be surprised ideas keep coming and people who want to see you successful will come your way.
"Write down your vision and mission. And once you start doing that, it slowly manifests into reality.
"Of course, never forget to seek guidance and advice from credible people who have been an entrepreneur for a long time. Their knowledge is more valuable than money."