Cebuana actress Diva Montelaba maps out goals for next five years

CEBU, Philippines - “I want to have my own house and lot in Cebu and Manila. I also want to have a business but I am still thinking what kind of business. I wish that my siblings would have been able to graduate from school. I also want to settle down a little bit, not necessarily get married but find somebody that I could share my lifetime with,” the GMA-7 talent told The FREEMAN.

Knowing her street-smart ways and fighter attitude since her pre-Starstruck days, plus an acting depth just waiting to be given that big break, Diva’s dreams could not be that out of reach. One personal goal she failed to include though, but reported recently, is to join Binibining Pilipinas once her contract obligations with GMA-7 ends.

Diva, 22, was a serial pageant contestant here in her hometown. Her last competition before entering showbiz was Miss Mandaue 2008 where she placed fourth runner-up to that year’s winner Rizzini Gomez. Online pageant forums have included Diva in their Binibini wish list, citing her alluring face, height, bone structure, deep golden brown skin and even her life story (never met her father, single-handedly raised by her late grandma since her mother has another family and joined pageants to make ends meet) that makes her a strong shoo-in.

For now, the Starstruck Season 5 first runner-up busts her killer moves as cast member of “Sunday all Stars” and continues to rack up acting credits mostly in support roles. Currently, she appears in the afternoon soap “Maghihintay Pa Rin” starred in by Bianca King, Rafael Rosell and Dion Ignacio. She said her role here is nothing new for her. “Maldita ulit ako dito. I love being mean in my roles. Ako yung isa sa magiging balakid sa pagmamahalan nila Kiko and Geneva which are played by Rafael and Bianca.”

Before this new project came, Diva was seen in the primetime drama “Pahiram ng Sandali” and her performance as a prostitute trying to change her ways was especially lauded by the soap’s director.

“After ‘Pahiram ng Sandali,’ Party Pilipinas back then was still airing so that was what really kept me occupied. I am also doing corporate shows and sometimes during fiestas, people invite me. Sometimes, I just keep myself busy working out or doing personal stuff,” said Diva.

Diva resided in Minglanilla and was taking up Tourism at the University of San Jose-Recoletos. “The last time I went home was when my lola was laid to rest early this year. But I am trying my best to go home every once in a while if I have the time because Cebu serves as my refresher if I feel so stressed about what's going on in show business. When I go back to Cebu, I try to enjoy, so that once I return to Manila, I’m already refreshed.”

What does she miss most about her life before the limelight beckoned? “I miss my friends and my former low-maintenance lifestyle. Not that I’m complaining that I have to be high maintenance now, but the fact that I just can do whatever I want before, it feels so good that I don't need to consider a lot of stuff when I do a certain thing. Now, I need to consider that people will recognize me so I have to be careful.”  (FREEMAN)