They are too young to be called “icons” or “legends.” But they might soon be.
In the meantime, Jessa Zaragoza, Roselle Nava and Rachel Alejandro (along with Geneva Cruz who was not available for this “body talk”) are billed “together again” in Ladies of the ’90s, directed by Roxanne Lapus (with Marc Lopez as musical director) for Viva Concerts and Events, set for Aug. 28 and 29, 8 p.m. at the Sky Dome of SM North EDSA. (Note: Tickets are priced at P1,500 [Silver] and P1,750 [Gold]. Call SM Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Viva Concerts and Events at 687-5853 locals 620 and 627.)
Jessa is married to Dingdong Avanzado by whom she has a six-year-old daughter, Jayda. Called Phenomenal Diva, Jessa has just released her latest album, Jessa Sings The Great Musical Icons Volume 1 (MCA Music, Inc.) Roselle is getting married to her long-time boyfriend Allen Tan on Jan. 17 next year. Rachel has broken up with her boyfriend (unidentified) and is dating a non-showbiz guy.
How do you take care of your body?
Jessa: I avoid salty food and sweets. I eat mostly fish and vegetables, although Dingdong and I have what we call “reward days” when we eat anything we want; once a week ‘yon. I’ve been trying to drink as much water as I can, as per advice by my doctor. One time kasi, I developed kidney ailment because I didn’t drink enough water. Nakakahiya to admit it but I feel lazy when I’m working out alone, so I have a trainer. I do weights to firm up my body, which is a “must” lalo na kapag mommy ka na. In this business, dapat hindi ka lang maganda pakinggan, dapat maganda ka rin tingnan.
Roselle: I’m on a low-carb diet now that we are rehearsing for the concert. I avoid junk food. I drink lots of water. I used to be a gym rat. But when Allen and I started our business...a music school (with two branches, one in BF Parañaque and the second on Visayas Avenue in Quezon City)...I didn’t have time to work out. But I have resumed working out again.
Rachel: I eat food from The Sexy Chef, the food business I own and co-manage with my sister Barni. I can assure you that everything that comes out of our kitchen is healthy. I stay away from processed food. It’s a good thing that since I was a kid, hindi ako mahilig sa meat. I eat a lot of fish and shrimps, whole grains and vegetables. No desserts or sweets for me. No matter how busy I am, I try to work out at the gym as often as three times a week; when I’m not busy, I do it five times a week.
How do you take care of your voice?
Jessa: I do take ice-cold drinks but not before a performance. Good thing I don’t smoke. Enough sleep is good for the voice. Ako, matakaw sa tulog; huwag mo ako pakainin, okey lang, basta patulugin mo lang ako. To exercise my vocal cords, I sing two or three songs every day — yes, in the bathroom.
Roselle: I avoid ice-cold drinks if I have a show. Otherwise, okey lang. I even have ice-cream. No, I don’t smoke. I vocalize every day, especially while I’m taking a shower. I try to get six to seven hours of sleep per night. If you lack sleep, your whole body is tired at kasama na siempre ang vocal cords mo.
Rachel: Other singers avoid ice-cold drinks but I’m not too strict with them. No, I don’t smoke. I try to get enough sleep, seven hours at least. If I have rehearsals for a concert or a play, I avoid going out at night, especially going to bars where you have to talk loud or shout over the loud music. That’s the worst punishment that you can do to your vocal cords, according to my voice teacher.
How do you cope with stress?
Jessa: You know what...I pray. It’s very relaxing. Since I’m also in Rosalinda (the GMA soap, as the wife of Ariel Rivera) and we tape oftentimes overnight, it can be very stressful. Praying relaxes me not only physically but also spiritually. And also, niyayakap ko ang asawa ko. Masarap na pampa-relax ‘yon. Hehehehehe!
Roselle: I work out. I run or do kickboxing. They are good relieving stress. Sometimes, I go to the spa.
Rachel: I travel a lot, not only as a singer but also since I handle the marketing and promotion side of The Sexy Chef. Getting caught in a traffic jam can be stressful. I get a lot of massages. Being with your family is a great stress-reliever.
How do you take care of your skin? Are you afraid of the sun like most women?
Jessa: Yeah, I’m afraid of the sun, that’s why I can’t join the golf tournaments that Dingdong organizes (usually in Guam). I get freckles when I stay long under the sun. When I get tanned, hindi pantay kaya hindi maganda. I moisturize as often as I can. Si Dingdong nga nahahawa na, eh.
Roselle: I’m not afraid of the sun but I’m not a beach person. I stay indoors most of the time. I wash my face with just soap and water. I take vitamins E and C. Good for the skin daw. I moisturize. And I go to The Belo Medical Clinic for facials.
Rachel: I love the sun; I love going to the beach. I get tanned and I love that. But I’m good at putting sunblock. Still, I started to get freckles around my face after I turned 30. I use eye cream and a lot of moisturizer.
What’s the song that means so much to you?
Jessa: Glory Of Love, theme song namin ni Dingdong. Ang lyrics palaging nag-a-apply sa buhay namin. (Proceeds to sing)...I am a man who will fight for your honor. O, di ba palagi akong ipinaglalaban ni Dingdong sa lahat ng bagay.
Roselle: Looking Through Your Eyes, which is included in my new album Forever Love Songs (released by Viva Records). It’s my song for Allen. Very nice, very meaningful.
Rachel: Paalam Na. Dingdong (Avanzado, her ex-boyfriend) wrote the music and I wrote the lyrics. At that time, my career was at its peak; very memorable time. The song reminds me of my very first serious relationship (with Dingdong, that is).
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.phac or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)