Dalawang beses tinalikuran ni Sharmaine Suarez ang acting career nito dahil sa mga personal na dahilan at aminado siyang pinagsisisihan niya ang kanyang ginawa.
Sa tulong ng bagong manager niya na si Wowie Roxas, muling susubukan ni Sharmaine na bumalik sa showbiz.
Mulat daw ang kanyang mga mata sa katotohanang hindi magiging madali ang pagbabalik niya.
“The first time I left show business was because I felt the need to settle down and have a family. I am now divorced but never had a child of my own.
"When I got back, I had a few projects here and there, but nothing very substantial. Tita Angge was my manager then," umpisang kuwento ni Sharmaine sa exclusive interview sa kanya ng Philippine Entertainment Portal (PEP.ph) ngayong Miyerkules nang gabi, August 24.
Lahad pa niya, “I have always loved the ocean and have been a diver for many years. Time came when I got into sailing in Subic.
“I started helping out a foundation called The Lighthouse Legacy Foundation and promoted and incited love for our ocean and the environment.
“I started helping out with the International Coastal Clean-up in Subic Bay by educating people about waste management and being responsible with one’s trash as well as writing some articles about the environment and the importance of keeping trash away from the ocean.
“I also got involved with our Aeta tribe as they were the ones looking after our last remaining forestry and mangroves."
Noong 2020 naman ay umalis siya ng Pilipinas para alagaan ang kanyang lola na nagkaroon ng Alzheimer's disease.
Ayon kay Sharmaine, “In 2020, I decided to leave and spend time with my grandmother and my family on my mother’s side so I can look after my grandmother and give my aunt a break when she needs it.
“Nagkaroon na kasi ng Alzheimer’s disease ang lola ko. Kinakailangan na rin siyang paliguan at linisan. Twenty-four hours na kailangan na may nagbabantay sa kanya.
“Hindi ko kayang isipin na hindi ko man lang maibalik ang aruga at pagmamahal na naibigay sa akin ng lola ko kaya ako umalis at nangibang bansa noong nag-umpisa ang pandemya. I felt it was my chance to look after my mama."
REGRETS LEAVING SHOWBIZ
At ngayon nga ay nagbabalik siya para buhayin muli ang kanyang showbiz career.
“Kapag mahal mo ang sining na ginagalawan mo, babalik at babalik ka,” sabi ni Sharmaine.
Pinagsisihan daw ng aktres ang dalawang beses na paglisan niya mula sa showbiz.
Saad niya, “I did regret leaving. I really felt lost the whole time I was away from show business.
“I did not know my place in the world. Kapag lumayo ka, ang kagandahan o positibo, ay doon mo mararamdaman at malalaman kung saan ka talaga nararapat.
“Sa pagbabalik ko, I expect that it would be difficult for me to find my place in the industry but I do know that I do have a place here. I expect to work hard.
“I expect that people in the industry would see my worth because I will make sure that I will be at my best at all times. I expect that people see my love for my craft.”
Kahit nawala sa limelight, hindi pa rin nagbabago ang hitsura ni Sharmaine dahil parang hindi siya tumatanda at puwedeng mapagkamalang kapatid ni Miss Universe Philippines 2021 Beatrice Luigi Gomez.
SHARMAINE'S BEGINNINGS
Nagsimula ang showbiz career ni Sharmaine noong 1994 sa Proboys, ang pelikula ng Moviestars Productions.
Inilunsad siya sa Nena, ang award-winning movie na isinulat ng multi-awarded novelist na si Lualhati Bautista.
Ang Nena ang unang title role ni Sharmaine na nagbigay sa kanya ng acting award.
Bago naging ganap na aktres si Sharmaine sa pelikula, umaarte na siya sa mga stage play ng Metropolitan Theater. Ang seasoned actor na si Tommy Abuel ang isa sa mga mentor niya.
Lahad niya, “I was an alternate for the role of Chiching [Juan Luna’s wife] in the play, Juan Luna. Juan Luna, being Sir Tommy.
“That play was unforgettable for me. Little did I know that it would be my foundation to my acting career for television and movies.
“It was when I had been bit by the acting bug. I couldn’t see myself doing anything else!”