The fact that she has been in the spotlight since she was knee high came as no surprise. (As a child star, she appeared in such movies as Pedro Penduko, To Saudi With Love, and The Jessica Alfaro Story). After all, mom is former Sampaguita star Daisy Romualdez and dad is basketball player Manny Paner. Moreover, she counts singer-actress Tina Paner as big sister.
If you ask Danita, however, she would rather play down her famous pedigree and hype her own individual assets.
The girl is feisty. A chip off the old block that is the indomitable Miss Daisy, no doubt. "I want to be known for my own style," Danita declares her independence. "I don’t want to be known as the daughter of someone famous, the sister of someone popular. Although I am proud of my parents and my sister, I want to be known for who I am and what I can do. I intend to make my own name and leave my own mark in showbiz."
Pretty strong words for one who is so young. In fact, Darling Danita will be celebrating her 16th birthday on April 2.
Unlike other girls her age who are still preoccupied with fluffy fancy stuff, Danita seems totally focused on her career. The girl is leaving no stone unturned in developing her talent as a singer. "Every week, I have voice lessons with Annie Quintos of The CompanY," she volunteers. "I’ve learned a lot from my sessions with Ms. Annie at StarDev. I’ve learned how to sing each song differently. To develop my own style in singing."
She has also hooked up with one of the best songwriters and hitmakers in the biz, Vehnee Saturno. She has recorded two songs by Vehnee so far, which will hopefully be included in her forthcoming CD. "He is so good," Danita sings praises for Vehnee. "I’ve recorded two of his compositions already: Telling My Heart and Nais Sabihin.
Danita acknowledges that she has also learned a lot from Vehnee in the recording studio. "He taught me that I should really be ‘involved’ in each song that I sing," she relates. "That I should make it a point to really know what I am singing about. That I should know the lyrics and the song’s story by heart. And that I should give whatever emotion the song requires."
Although she is also open to hosting and acting on TV and in the movies, singing remains to be her first love and most ardent passion. "I want to be known for my music," she points out. "Now, I am part of a band, Phase 1. We play pop-rock and alternative music." Danita is one of the band’s vocalists, along with another showbiz scion Alyssa Gibbs (the equally talented and pretty firstborn of Janno Gibbs and Bing Loyzaga).
She looks up to current Hollywood It Girls Ashlee Simpson and Lindsay Lohan as her main musical divas. She says she relates very well to Ashlee’s dilemma. "Like Ashlee, I also have famous relatives," Danita chimes in. "Ashlee’s sister is also a popular singer-actress, Jessica Simpson who’s married to Nick Lachey (of the boy band 98 Degrees). That’s why I’m very much into Ashlee’s songs. They’re about fitting in, making your own mark, teen angst, dealing with peer pressure." The usual teen stuff.
In countless ways, Danita is just like any ordinary teenage girl. But, in just as numerous ways, Danita is an extraordinary teener. After all, not everyone has La Daisy as mom. Truth is, Danita is the first to dispel rumors that her mom is an ultra-strict task mistress. "Actually, we have a very open relationship," Danita explains. "She always asks my opinion on everything – whether it’s about my hairstyle and makeup or it’s about the song I’m supposed to sing in a show. She makes sure that she knows my opinion every time. It’s all about give-and-take. My mom allows me to do the things I want, but I should also follow her instructions."
That’s the secret of their harmony, for sure.
Mom Daisy herself admits that Danita is one tough cookie. "She has her own mind and she’s not afraid to reason out," Mom Daisy says of her baby Danita. "She voices out what she wants. Sometimes, she follows; sometimes, she insists on what she wants. In a lot of ways, she’s also a lot like me. She’s also very forgiving. She doesn’t stay mad at someone for long."
Mom Daisy is aware that today’s teeners are worlds apart from her own generation. "That’s why I allow her to go out with her friends once in a while," mom Daisy remarks. "With a chaperone, of course. All she wants is to just go malling, listen to bands, and eat out in restaurants. Good, wholesome fun. It’s better to give them a little freedom. Otherwise, they’d rebel."
But now that her baby is taking the big plunge into showbiz, the mom in Daisy can’t help fretting a bit. "I just told her that now that she is in showbiz, she should give her best," mom Daisy says. "Not everyone is given a rare opportunity like this."
That is exactly the most precious piece of advice Danita has received from her mom. "I want to prove to everyone that I have what it takes to do well and make a name for myself in this business," Danita concludes with conviction.