Ayen’s choice

Once upon a time, not so far away, there lived a lovely princess. Her prince pampered her every step of the way. But, unlike other princesses who tossed and turned in bed because she slept on a mattress with a pea under it, this one didn’t give a hoot at all.

In fact, she still greets each morning with a smile on her face and sparkle in her eyes.

Ayen Munji-Laurel does not miss her fairy tale-like life, years after she bid it goodbye. No, not when you’re happily married (to Franco Laurel), with a six-month-old daughter (Angia) from the union. You even treasure the moment, because you know money can’t buy you a teeny weeny bit of happiness.

"Everything a woman could possibly wish for was mine. But although I love beautiful things, I’m not materialistic. I gave a lot of myself. I shared my blessings," she says.

Besides, she never dreamed of living in fairy tale. The fairy tale just happened to her, giving her a son, Hasan (meaning handsome), now eight, and daughter, Mariella, 12.

"That’s why I don’t miss that kind of life at all," Ayen explains. "I never asked for it."

That life, she now looks back, was touch and go. Yes, it was the kind dreams are made of, but it had no anchor, no stability. One day, she would see Hasan and Mariella’s father, the next, she would not.

Thankfully, those days are over. Ayen treasures that stability, nay, permanence Franco brings to her life. They are business partners at Uva Restaurant. Their home echoes with the laughter of children and family.

It may not be the kind of royalty she knew, but it’s still a treasure no shower of gifts can equal: unconditional love in a home she can finally call her own.

Here, she can pursue her dreams, knowing that she can come back to a home with a husband and family to welcome her with open arms at day’s end.

As a student, Ayen took up music, in the tradition of her equally-talented father, Emy Munji. When you grow up listening to Stella By Starlight, you have no other recourse but to tread the old, familiar musical path as well.

Ayen trained in classical music in the UST Conservatory of Music for two years, until the actress in her made her change her mind. Ayen shifted to theater arts at the UP. This time, she stayed put.

"I finally found my calling," Ayen beams.

That calling has taken her (and the live entertainment scene) to such productions as the multi-million Rama at Sita (which she produced) many years back. It is now tugging at her sleeves and beckoning her to try doing a telenovela on ABS-CBN.

The offer is for her to play kontrabida, which Ayen is not ready to do, as yet.

"Is that how sharp my features are?" she wonders aloud (no, someone assures her; it’s just that villainesses who look angelic are more effective).

Ayen nips the possibility of giving Eula Valdez and Jean Garcia a run for their money.

"I must establish myself first," she muses. "A negative image is the last thing I need if I want my future albums to do well."

Her first album has made it to the MRS (Most Requested Song) list of radio stations. And Ayen won’t dare botch that record up by turning nasty, even in make-believe TV plots.

She plans to come up with a second album before the year ends. And Ayen isn’t taking any chances.

Another project she’s raring to do before 2003 ends is One, a concert featuring 30 artists rendering inspirational songs. She also plans to come up with another original musical to be staged next year.

The singer who doesn’t go for fancy titles ("Royal diva? That’s old hat!") would rather up her visibility in the concert scene these days. After mounting a two-night hit show at the Tavern on the Square last March, Ayen decided to take her solo act to the Captain’s Bar of the Mandarin Hotel on May 17.

The show will present Ayen in soulful renditions of popular ballads and standards, like Am I the Same Girl, This is My Life, Game of Love, Come Together, etc. There will also be show-stoppers, rousing Broadway music, for good measure.

Ayen’s friends, Agot Isidro and Janno Gibbs are her guests in the show.

Beneficiary of the concert, produced by Ayen and Franco’s ML Entertainment, is the Victory Leadership Institute, where husband and wife go in their self-imposed mission to spread the Word of God.

And while Captain’s Bar is a suitable venue for one with the "royal" image attached to her name, Ayen hopes to give herself a more "people-friendly" stance by reaching out to them through albums, and even mall shows.

"People do recognize me in the malls, but it’s still hard to erase that princess image. That’s why I want to be more visible to the masses," she sighs.

If only they knew that this princess has simple ways and simple joys, they would banish that edgy feeling they have for her. They will see her for who she is: as real as the boy or girl next door.