Nadine Samonte on what drives her forward

CEBU, Philippines - There were previous reports that said that Nadine Samonte felt neglected by her home network in terms of projects, and this really didn't endear her to some because it seemed she was impatient and demanding. But as with everyone else, impressions could change, especially if you'd get to know their backstories and their motivations for being or doing such.

You see, it's in these backstories where we are again reminded that celebrities are just like normal people, who get anxious when there's no work that will provide steady income to support their families. It all goes back to the pretty actress being the family breadwinner at such a young age.

Nadine displays a maturity beyond her 21 years. That's because she didn't grow up with a silver spoon in her mouth.

“Kinailangan na ako ang maging breadwinner kasi walang sumusuporta sa family ko. First nag-commercial ako at mga print ads kasi noong second year high school ako, nagkaroon ng ibang family yung father ko. Medyo malabo na sila nung 12 years old pa lang ako. Hanggang second year high school lang niya kami sinuportahan. I have a 19-year-old sister and a 17-year-old brother. Ako yung eldest,” she shares in an interview with The Freeman at Cafe Uno of Waterfront Hotel in Lahug.

She must be every parent’s dream: responsible and hardworking. The Starstruck graduate has already built a house for her family and invested in insurance and health cards for herself which she aims to fully pay in two years' time. That's why she readily accepts most shows or gigs that are offered to her even if the budget is just small. “Basta may work lang ako. Iyon lang naman ang gusto ko, trabaho lang naman. Ayoko lang nung nababakante ako.”

Those times when she was without a show, she entertained thoughts of just migrating to Germany where her German father lives. “Ang artista kasi come and go yan eh. Kung may bago, yung bago. Depende nalang kung may staying power ka. Ever since kasi nag-iisip na ako sa future ko, so naisip ko, doon nalang ako sa Germany maghahanap ng work if wala ng work for me dito.”

Just in case she did pack up her bags, what did she plan to do in her birthplace?

“Nagpaplano akong mag-photography. Actually, nag-start na ako. Meron kasi sa Germany mag-seminar ka ng ilang days lang, professional photographer ka na. Mahilig kasi ako mag-picture ng mga landscape, mga black and white. Na-inspire ako kay Sarah Black. She's a model, ang ganda at sexy niya tapos photographer siya, so parang wow ang galing! Tapos siguro magbi-business kaya nga nagpupundar na ako ngayon, nag-invest kami sa condo."

She is afraid to be like other actors who were once high-earning but have nothing to show for it once their star dims. “Diba madaming artista na dati sikat na sikat pero ngayon wala ng bahay, nagco-commute nalang. Ayokong mangyari sa akin yun. Tsaka yung dati naming buhay, ayoko ng bumalik yun,” she says determinedly.

So what exactly was her life like before?

“Kasi nagre-rent lang kami ng house noon. At may mga times na, hindi naman sa wala kaming makain, pero may times na nangungutang kami sa tindahan. Ayoko ng maulit yun. Tsaka before pumapasok kami sa school pero wala kaming baon. Dumadating yung mommy ko sa school, 1pm na, nag-bell na, tapos na ang lunch time, umiiyak nalang ako, bakit ngayon lang dumating.”

“Kinukwento ko ngayon ang buhay ko, iniisip ng mga tao, ah sinasabi mo lang yan, pero alam ng mga tao sa Laguna. Doon ako nanggaling, kaya nga doon ako nagpagawa ng bahay.”

Nadine shares that she is very frugal with her money. “May attitude akong nagtitipid. Nakakatuwa kasi minsan nag-go-grocery ako, may gusto akong tsitserya, titignan ko yung presyo, four pesos, ok pa ba to, pwede pa ba?”  she laughs. “Nako-control ko ang sarili ko dahil sa mom ko na palagi kong kasama. Kaya unang show ko pa lang, nakabili na ako ng sasakyan kasi lagi lang kaming nagco-commute noon. Masaya ako na meron na akong shoulder bag o pabango. Kunyari may kinita ako ngayon, iniipon ko talaga. Ipon talaga ako ng ipon. Kaya nga nagkaroon na ako ng bahay. Sinasabi nila, bakit ka nagkaroon ng bahay kaagad? Siguro dahil sa boyfriend mo noh? Hindi lang nila alam na nag-iipon talaga ako.”

There are times she feels a pang of envy that her siblings enjoy now what she was deprived of before. “May times na parang, buti pa yung mga kapatid ko ngayon, nararamdaman niya yung ganito, ako never kong naramdaman yan noon. Pero thankful nalang ako na at an early age, natuto akong magsikap.”

Now, things are on a steady pace and looking bright for Nadine as another big break unexpectedly landed on her lap. She stepped into the role that was vacated by Sunshine Dizon in the GMA 7 SineNovela “Tinik sa Dibdib”. It's not easy replicating the acting skill of a Sunshine Dizon, but Nadine is proving her worth so far. As for her role in Darna, which is the villain Babaeng Impakta/Roma, she might reappear towards the end of the primetime series.