Bored but still happy

Ah, the price of being rich and idle. After a year of marriage to former Negros Occidental Rep. Jules Ledesma, Assunta de Rossi is bored. Not even regular gimmicks with her barkada can take away that ho-hum feeling. Neither does it help that the Ledesmas are childless – by choice.

"I plan to give birth middle of next year. By then, I’ll be 23 and at the best age to conceive," Assunta promises.

Meanwhile, the only solution in sight to her boredom is work. "I miss getting an acting award (like the Best Actress trophy she got in 2001 from the Urian and the Metro Filmfest for Hubog)," she admits.

And so, she’s back acting – on TV, that is. Assunta is fulfilling one of the last requirements of her ABS-CBN contract via the teleseries Vietnam Rose, which gathers a powerhouse cast also composed of Maricel Soriano, Jay Manalo and John Estrada.

Assunta’s is a challenging role as John Estrada’s mistress (with Maricel as the wife).

Also part of her ABS-CBN contract is a sitcom, which has yet to be discussed. After that, Assunta says she will no longer renew her contract and concentrate on being a full-time wife and hopefully, a mother.

But before she takes her early retirement from showbiz, Assunta wants to shatter some myths people have created around her.

First of these is that she doesn’t need the money. That’s why producers have not dangled any offer to her after she became Mrs. Ledesma.

"I find that insulting," she protests.

The previously quiet Assunta is now in a feisty mood. "Now, having money is working to my disadvantage. Why don’t they ask me first? I won’t demand something that’s not fair. I’m not greedy. As a sexy star, I’ve turned down a lot of scripts already. Why don’t they show me the script first? Nadadaan naman yan sa magandang pag-uusap."

Second, her marriage is as solid as can be. Yes, she’s bored. But that doesn’t mean she’s unhappy.

Just because she and Jules don’t talk each other when they’re home doesn’t mean they’re at odds. In fact, silence even reinforces their union.

Compared to her fiery sister Alessandra, Assunta is the quiet one, staying away from the maddening crowd while her younger sibling hogs the limelight.

While Alessandra looks outward, Assunta would rather "reflect about myself and my family." Among the outcomes of this soul-searching is Assunta’s belief that she’s emotionally ready for motherhood. She remembers how she loved to dress her dolls up when she was a little girl.

"Besides," she adds, "my children (referring to Jules’ son and daughter by his late wife) are already grown up. They have their own lives. I want someone I can give toys to, whom I can give a warm bath to."

Until that day comes, Assunta has learned to accept the present situation: Jules is so busy with the family business in Negros they have yet to enjoy a full-fledged honeymoon. And since Assunta chooses to keep her distance when it comes to Jules’ work, she spends her time going out with friends. Jules just fetches her wherever she is.

"Jules and I used to go out nightly before we got married. But now, it’s harder to be seen going out on a date with him," Assunta admits. "People might think we’re on a spending spree while the country is suffering."

Finally, Assunta wants to do one other thing after she bids acting goodbye.

"I’d like to be a makeup artist!" she reveals.

Why not explore her singing skills the way Gretchen, who also married into old wealth, did for some time?

"Oh no, I can’t," protests Assunta. "That will take me away from my family."

Make no mistake about it. Assunta will be ready for motherhood when it finally comes her way.