Being kontrabida & loving it

MANILA, Philippines - She is the woman you would envy, hate and love. Her face and figure are to die for. Hers was not a path strewn with roses all the way, but Valerie Concepcion has still managed to make her life’s journey beautiful and worthwhile.

Even as she became a single mom at the tender age of 16, Valerie has never regretted anything. Maybe it was a case of making bad decisions or wrong choices, but Valerie stood up for it. She admitted she was madly in love then, and daughter Fiona is the fruit of that love. Val considers her teenage pregnancy a lesson to be taken to heart.

“Since maaga ako nabuntis at naging breadwinner ng family, nag-mature ako ng mas maaga. Siguro kaya ako naging responsible at hardworking na tao, dahil sa experience na ‘yun,” the lovely actress says.

Lately, Valerie has been busy playing the kontrabida role of Miranda Ramirez in the hit teleserye 100 Days. So far, she is enjoying being the witch and the bitch in the program.

“Being a kontrabida makes me excited. I like the kontrabida role,” she shares.

Valerie is doing the movie Asiong Salonga with Gov. ER Ejercito and director Tikoy Aguiluz. On the side, she takes care of a water refilling station and a laundry shop, as well as a franchise of a nail salon. She spends most of her free time with six-year-old Heather Fiona who got her eyes. Valerie teaches her daughter to always respect everyone and show signs of affection like hugging. Fiona entering showbiz is a debatable issue.

“Depende. I want Fiona to finish her studies muna kasi ako I got pregnant at 16 tapos hindi na ako nakapagpatuloy ng pag-aaral kasi nga nag-artista na ako ng full-time dahil breadwinner at single mom na nga po ako,” she relates. Valerie spent her first two years in high school at Ramon Magsaysay High School then studied at home in her third and fourth years.

Valerie’s heart is not empty. She has been in a relationship with Philippine Basketball Association (PBA) star cager Dondon Hontiveros for three years now. In an earlier interview, Valerie said she is ready to settle down but that both she and Dondon are not in a hurry.

Valerie is No. 14 on FHM’s 100 Sexiest Women in the World for 2011.

Her whistle-bait figure can be attributed to biking, badminton and some boxing.

Despite her busy schedule, Valerie finds time to relax at her Posh Nails franchise in Venice Piazza McKinley Hill at The Fort.

The Star Awards Best Female Variety Show Host for 2008 and 2009 admits that she has also figured in the rumor mill, but none of it was true.

Valerie only wants nice and pleasant things to surround her now. With her fierce determination, love for life and passion for her craft, Valerie is sure to be surrounded by good vibes, abundant blessings and great opportunities for a long time.