Having a supportive family is something that Rachel Anne Wolfe enjoys. After two decades of being away from the limelight — rearing her four sons and taking care of her hubby, Italian-American businessman John Spitaletta in New Jersey — Rachel is back to doing what she loves best, singing.
Two years ago, she returned to the Philippines, reinvented herself and revived her singing career with a solo album, Cool, under Manna Records. The CD contains varied tracks, plus her own compositions that include songs for her mom, jazz queen Annie Brazil (Part of Everything) and husband John (There’s Love ). Another original piece, Complicated, was given to Rachel’s good friend, Gretchen Barretto, for the title track of the latter’s album.
Being able to perform again gave Rachel a different kind. of high. In the local front, she has a venue to display her innate talent. Every time Rachel is in town, she takes centerstage at Merk’s Bar and Bistro, the popular resto-lounge in Greenbelt, Makati owned by her brother, Prince of Jazz Richard Merk and his wife, Roni Tapia. Rachel also gets to sing on TV and in popular places like Captain’s Bar at Mandarin Hotel.
“I’ve dedicated more than a decade of my life changing diapers and taking care of my kids,” Rachel allows. “I became a full-time wife and mother. Now, I’m back to doing the things I used to love.”
Turning 41 in June, Rachel cannot be pleased any better that her family is supportive of her career moves. Last month, she returned to the country to give way to an offer for her to be seen regularly in a new soap series for a major network. She gets a very challenging role and will star with one of the country’s most popular actors.
“Before I returned to Manila and agreed to do the TV project, I had to mentally prepare my children because I know I would be away for a long time,” shares Rachel, who is now being managed by Gina Martinez of Genesis Entertainment. “But my boys understand perfectly. They told me not to worry about them. I told them they would see mommy on TV and they are excited about it.”
Even her mom Annie was very encouraging after Rachel told her about the offer. “Mommy said the acting project is not something that comes my way every day, that’s why I have to do it,” Rachel discloses. “After all, what’s a few months compared to the little achievement and different kind of fulfillment that I’ll get?”
It pains Rachel, however, to leave her kids — Max, 17; Trevor, 10; Luke, nine; and Jake, seven — in New Jersey longer this time than she used to. Even if she made sure everything was in order, including talking to their school principal, she feels sad that she should be away from her sons.
“The longest I was away from them was eight weeks when I was promoting my album,” Rachel grants. “I get lonely at times, that’s why I make it a point to talk to them on Skype every day. But I believe there is really a reason for everything. Now I know why I have all boys. They are my buddies. Before, I badly wanted to have a girl and I would imagine taking her to ballet lessons. But I realized it’s easier to leave boys unlike a girl.”
Fortunately, Rachel’s husband is equally supportive of all her passions and endeavors. “As long as everybody understands me and we all support each other, I can do what I love to do,” Rachel says.
It is understandable that Rachel is raring to act again. She’s had her glorious days in showbiz after she won the Miss Young International title in the Binibining Pilipinas beauty pageant in 1984.
Rachel starred in movies with the late action king Fernando Poe Jr. (One Day, Isang Araw); ace comedian Dolphy and superstar Nora Aunor (Bugoy Goes to Congress); action prince Bong Revilla Jr. (Dongalo Massacre and Bodyguard); Richard Gomez (Kid, Huwag Kang Susuko); Vilma Santos (Ibulong Mo sa Diyos); Snooky Serna and Albert Martinez (Rosa Mistica).
“I feel good about it that I can still do this (act),” Rachel asserts. “I want to explore acting (again). I don’t want to grow old and look back with regret, thinking what could have been. Life is getting faster as you grow older. A lot of doors are opening and this is too good an opportunity to pass up. Who would have thought that at my age, I would still get this kind of great offer to act?”
Before she returns to the acting grind, Rachel will hold a solo concert, Raw or Rachel Anne Wolfe, Live! tonight at Merk’s Bar and Bistro. She gets to unleash her musical genes anew through songs from the ’70s and ’80s, OPM tunes and original pieces that she will share with her audience.
“I thought I was long retired from showbiz,” Rachel says. “But one opportunity led to another and I cannot be thankful enough for every good break. I really believe life begins at 40 when there’s this inner voice that tells you what to do and allows you to speak up.”