Sarah G. wants to be independent

MANILA, Philippines - Sarah Geronimo is turning 24 this year and she wishes nothing material on her forthcoming birthday.

“I wish for wisdom because I am at the stage of my life wherein I want to be independent. Tumatanda na po ako, so wisdom in all (aspects),” she declares during a presscon promoting her upcoming birthday concert 24/SG on July 7 at the Big Dome. (Her actual birthday is on July 25.)

“It’s really tough to be independent if you’re already used to all the things that your parents do for you. Hanap-hanapin mo talaga, maninibago ka talaga, parang you will feel lost kapag ikaw nalang ang naiwan sa sitwasyon na iyon. But I need to learn how because it’s necessary.”

By declaring that she wants to be independent, she admits to wanting a little more freedom. Asked to be more specific, she explains that it doesn’t mean she wants to live on her own already, but she is referring to having her own “conviction, that you know what you stand for, that you know what it can do you good.”

She adds, “Hindi ko pa po kayang mag-solo, malayo sa magulang ko, kapatid ko, wala pa po sa plano ko yun. Siguro mas maging responsible ako sa trabaho ko, kasi tingin ko kulang po, then sa studies ko.” Sarah is currently enrolled in the Associate in Arts program with the University of the Philippines Open University.

“Konting freedom, yes, but with responsibility. Dapat maging more responsible ako sa freedom na binibigay ng parents ko. But of course, we all make mistakes along the way especially when we are out in the world, but I believe in the values that my parents have instilled in me.”

She is also proud of what she has accomplished in the past year. That includes finally taking up a short course in the US on voice and dance.

She further says, “When it comes to the matters of the heart, in the past year I was able to avoid getting my heart hurt. May mga nagustuhan akong tao, pero naingatan ko naman yung puso ko, di pa ready kasi nung time na yun. Siempre may makasama ka sa show, at di mo maiwasan magustuhan yung mga nakatrabaho mo. They became close to me, but they’re all my friends now.”

On that note, Sarah was asked if one of her personal goals this year is to finally enter into a romantic relationship after the very public failure of her first. Sarah is currently linked to Gerald Anderson. “I admit the guy is special to me. But we’re not an item. That’s the truth. I don’t want to rush things because I have my own fears, and the same goes for him. So we really won’t rush things between us. We don’t want to hurt each other. We really want to know each other more, na mahalin ko, hindi yung good looks niya, but yung ganda ng ugali niya, yung puso niya, dahil ang gwapo niya di ba? I don’t want to look at the physical so that we’ll get to know what we truly feel for each other.”

Meanwhile, Sarah promises a more sensual and mature performer in her 24/SG concert. “The theme is going to be a bit of a fantasy and fairytale-like. I’m hands-on with the planning and I really join the meetings. I’ll be performing song-and-dance numbers, and since I’m recording a new album, hopefully I’ll get to sing some of the songs from the album.”

Produced by Viva Concerts, Sarah’s 24/SG will be directed by Paul Basinillo with Louie Ocampo as musical director. Tickets to the show are now available at SM Ticketnet outlets with the following prices: P3,920 (Patron A); P3,360 (Patron); P3,360 (Lower Box); P1,680 (Upper Box A); P840 (Upper Box); and P448 (General Admission).