Andi learns to choose her battles

As gifted as she is as an actress — not a surprise, because she comes from one of showbiz’s great acting clans — Andi Eigenmann is also known for being outspoken and opinionated, often at the cost of her relationships. Everyone knows, for instance, that she and her mother Jaclyn Jose have not seen eye-to-eye for some time now and that things look like they are far from being settled.

During a recent guesting on ABS-CBN’s Buzz ng Bayan, I had the chance to talk to Andi. She was her usual self, not afraid to express her opinions, even where these concerned her relationship with Jake Ejercito. During the farewell press conference of Galema a few days prior, she was grilled by the entertainment press about her relationship with her mom. Andi had quite a mouthful to say about the relationship between parents and children. She believes that parents aren’t always right all the time, and that kids also have a right to have their opinions heard.

“Dadating din yung point in life na tatanda ka po, magkakaroon ka ng sarili mong pag-iisip, malalaman mo na kung ano yung tama at kung ano yung hindi,” reasoned Andi. “Although the values you have are the ones instilled by your parents themselves, para sa akin po it should also make sense na minsan may natutunan ang mga anak na parang, at one point, pwede rin namang magkaroon ng point ang anak.

“Just because anak lang sila, eh hindi din naman bawal na magrason o turuan, dapat minsan ipakita sa magulang kung paano nila naiisip na tama sila and also in that way because I believe that no matter how old you are, there’s always room for learning and understanding. Just because you’re older, it doesn’t mean that you know best. As long as you are fair and in your own proper way to do things, then it should make sense.”

I also think Andi is one of the most misunderstood people in showbiz. Not everyone appreciates how frank she is sometimes; that’s why she often finds herself bashed and criticized by a lot of people. But as a rule, she doesn’t always fight back. Andi, now a mother, has become older and wiser. She has learned to temper the anger and rebelliousness of her youth, and to pick and choose her battles. Now, just because someone says something about her doesn’t always mean she needs to say something back.

“If I know that a person doesn’t deserve any of my time and effort I just ignore it, OK lang,” says Andi. “Sometimes, even without having to say I’m sorry, I just let it pass, as long as it’s in the past.”

Of course, there are times, she says, when you just can’t help but fight back, especially when you know you’re right. Turning the other cheek doesn’t mean letting people walk all over you. Andi does fight back, but only when the other person means something to her; otherwise, she just gives up the fight and walks away. “But sometimes you need to fight back. It feels good to air your side. For example, pumapatol ako when I think that the person means something to me, otherwise, I will not waste my time.”

Speaking of “fighting,” during the making of Galema, Andi enjoyed all the fight scenes she did. It’s probably where she released all her pent-up, excess energy. “I will never forget all the fight scenes. If you noticed, I really enjoyed doing them. Doing action, either in film or on TV, is one of my dreams and somehow I get to fulfill it through Galema.”

Andi now faces a new challenge playing a kontrabida role (to Anne Curtis) on Dyesebel. I’m sure she’ll acquit herself well in this new role because she’s a gifted actress. Of her, I expect nothing less.