Free & happy

MANILA, Philippines - Isabel Oli no longer balks or freezes like an ice cube when you ask about ex-boyfriend Paolo Contis. The Isabel who sat down for an interview with the press after Fullerlife introduced her (and Bernadette Allyson, Rob Pengson and Jewel Mische) as one of its endorsers was more open, less evasive.

She’s a far cry from the elusive Isabel who, smarting from her then recent break-up with Paolo, refused to talk with the press on the set of GMA 7’s now-defunct Gagambino.

“I don’t regret the experience,” she looks back.

Isabel admits she has cut all forms of communication with the man she exclusively dated for three years.  And yes, she has moved on.

Moving on doesn’t mean getting a new love, though. Believe it or not, Isabel says she doesn’t have a single suitor. And she doesn’t mind at all.

“I’m happy being single. Now, I have more time for my family and friends,” she explains.

Time for family and friends is not the only thing she gained after Isabel got her freedom back. Turns out she also has a new standard for choosing her man.

“He must be God-fearing,” she reveals.  “A God-fearing man will remain loyal, faithful and everything else down the line.”

She knows the search will not be easy. But Isabel is willing to try again. She goes out on group dates these days. That is, when she’s not busy with endorsements or when she’s not at her father’s sickbed in Singapore.

The dutiful daughter plans to return to Singapore to visit her family, especially her 72-year-old dad, in the hospital.

“He’s suffering from cerebral degeneration,” reveals Isabel. “His work as a business consultant for a chemical firm exposed him to toxic substances that caused the disease.”

Mounting concern over her dad made Isabel approach her bosses at GMA 7 and ask for some days off to make a quick trip to Singapore. The bosses understood, and Isabel is grateful.

“I don’t want what happened before at the taping of Dear Friend to happen again,” she says.

Isabel recalls that she was taping an episode of the series in Batangas when she got word that her dad had to be rushed to the hospital. She couldn’t run to his side even if she was dying to.

Now that Isabel’s next assignment with GMA 7 is still pending, she wants to maximize her time with her  dad.

“I can always fly back to the Philippines if I’m needed,” she reasons out.

And the uh, break in-between assignments doesn’t worry her at all.

“I know GMA will take care of me,” Isabel says.

She has another reason to feel at ease, even if Isabel has yet to sign up for another TV show. Fuller Fashion (where she signed a one-year contract), PLDT, Max’s and her other endorsements will keep her visible — on billboards, commercials and others.

How’s that for making her presence felt — even if she’s physically absent from the local scene?

Nothing can be more convenient.