But as the cliché goes, "Once in showbiz, always in showbiz." And Ana proves it to be true as she returns to TV acting in ABS-CBN’s new early primetime soap series, Calla Lily, featuring child star Sharlene San Pedro. In the series directed by Maryo J. de los Reyes and Lino Cayetano, Ana plays the mom of Sharlene, who essays the title roles of twin sisters Calla and Lily.
Ana admits she really missed showbiz after she got married. "I had no reason to dress up," she shares. "I was always in my gym clothes all the time, trying to lose weight after I gave birth. But I didn’t regret giving up showbiz to start a family. I have a beautiful daughter and I have no complaints about my married life."
Early this year, Ana made a guest appearance in Mga Anghel na Walang Langit, ABS-CBN’s successful drama series, which kicked off the winning tandem of directors Maryo and Lino. Her brief role in the said series apparently jumpstarted her dormant career and Ana enjoyed facing the cameras again.
It was in July last year when she brought up the idea to her husband that she wanted to return to acting. "After we got married, Greg just really wanted me to stay home," Ana offers. "He didn’t want me to resume my showbiz career. Natatakot siya baka daw may manligaw sa akin. But he probably realized I need to do things that will also make me happy, so he relented. I don’t want to wait till I’m 40 to go back to acting."
Ana attests she is really blessed to have Greg as a husband. The 10-year age gap did not pose any problem in their relationship – he is 10 years her senior. However, their union has not been spared from intrigues. Recently, there have been write-ups that her four-year marriage is on the rocks and is headed for Splitsville. But Ana simply laughs off the rumors.
"I guess the write-ups started when I returned to showbiz early this year," Ana explains. "There were people who were surprised why I was making a comeback. They probably thought I was not happy with my marriage. But my relationship with Greg is anchored on trust. Greg is a very simple person with very simple needs. As long as there’s tapa or chorizo on the dining table, he’s happy with that. He’s not mabarkada. He’s always home, so I always have somebody to talk to. For me, that’s the best part of being married."
For someone who started in the business when she was only 12 – she appeared on the GMA 7 soap, Gintong Kristal, with Manilyn Reynes and went on to join German Moreno’s That’s Entertainment as part of the Tuesday group – Ana has learned to take all the nasty write-ups in stride.
"You shouldn’t let the write-ups affect you, especially if they’re not true," Ana allows. "I’ve learned that a long time ago. I don’t dwell on the rumors or the negative write-ups. They’re not worth my time."
At the Montenegro home, Ana got to perform her domestic chores impressively. "I’m in charge of the entire household," she beams. "I manage everything, from paying the bills to having any leak in the roof fixed. I also do the grocery once a month. I get to cook and take care of my husband and daughter."
She says her husband does not impose any restrictions on the roles she will play. "Ever since I started in the business, I have this self-imposed restriction not to do love scenes or anything sexy," Ana grants. "Greg knows the nature of my work. He understands even the erratic taping hours. He used to visit me on the set of my sitcom, Beh Bote Nga, before we got married."
Losing weight after giving birth proved to be a big ordeal for Ana. "I went to the gym every day to shed off those extra pounds," she discloses. "I did a no-carbo diet. At night, I would only eat ulam with vegetables. Now I’m enjoying my weight. I feel like a single girl again. I can wear what I want."
In her career which spans nearly two decades, Ana has been fortunate enough to have done good films. She worked earlier on with direk Maryo in Abel Morado, an action-drama starring Aga Muhlach. However, her most memorable big screen project to date is Joel Lamangan’s Kadenang Bulaklak, where she played sister to Vina Morales, Angelu de Leon and Donna Cruz. Ana starred in other films like Matimbang Pa sa Dugo, Abrakadabra, Mistah and Alabang Girls.
Ana admits she has no qualms about playing the mom of a seven-year-old in Calla Lily. "I’m beyond the love team mold," she maintains. "I’m now 30 and I’m very realistic. I cannot be competing with the likes of Anne Curtis or other younger actresses at this point. There are roles that would fit them and there are right roles for me. I need to do more mature roles. I take them as a challenge. It’s not something to fuss about."
One such challenge is to get deglamorized for her character as Sari, an overseas contract worker in Taiwan who comes home to her family harboring a terrible secret. "On my first taping day, I had to ask myself, ‘Can I cry again?’," Ana shares. "It’s not that easy to face the cameras again, but I’m enjoying what I’m doing. I really love to act. Eventually, I want to make films again, too."
Calla Lily also stars Gerald Madrid, Evangeline Pascual, Baron Geisler, Rodjun Cruz, Erich Gonzales and Yul Servo.