Niña now puts family first

MANILA, Philippines — Niña Jose, who is happily married to Bayambang, Pangasinan mayor Cezar Quiambao and living a peaceful life as the town’s First Lady and mom to three-year-old Antonio, never denies that she misses showbiz. However, she stresses that reviving her showbiz career is far from happening.

The former Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) teen housemate said she has been receiving offers to do acting projects but her focus now is on her family and supporting her husband in doing public service.   

“I am happy, contented and very blessed so there’s nothing more I could ask for,” said Niña who was among the contemporaries of Kim Chiu in the first Philippine edition of the hit reality TV show aired on ABS-CBN in 2006. Niña was also a member of Star Magic Circle.

She continued, “To be honest, nami-miss ko din talaga ang showbiz but my desire to focus on my family and supporting my husband is stronger. What’s good is I can always visit my friends who are still in showbiz or I (send them a) text when I want to watch them or I have talks to produce a movie.”

In fact, Niña has been looking for a good material that aligns with the core values she adheres to. “I’d also like something different and truly entertaining. It would be better if the setting is here (Bayambang) but I’m also open to do it in other places, anywhere. Sa acting talaga parang hindi na (ako pwede) but working behind the scenes is a possibility. Hopefully, one day tahakin ko ‘yun.”

Besides, she hasn’t totally lost her showbiz connection. Niña never fails to keep in touch with close friends like Kim and other former PBB housemates. It was two years ago, when she invited them to visit Bayambang to experience the Christmas celebration in their town.

“Every Christmas, we have a Paskuhan fair in the town plaza and so I invited them to have dinner here two years ago. It was also the first time for all of us to be together after 10 years and they all agreed to come here and we had a 3 a.m. breakfast (laughs). They enjoyed the experience, masaya lang kami lahat.”    

These days, Niña has her hands full with projects for the celebration of Bayambang’s 405th town fiesta on April 1 to 8. The affair coincides with the marking of the 400th year of the St. Vincent Ferrer Parish and, worldwide, the commemoration of the 600th year of the death of St. Vincent Ferrer.

The eight-day affair is filled with various activities in line with the theme “Bayang Pinagtibay ng Pagkakaisa at Pananampalataya Laban sa Kahirapan: 400 Taon ng Pagpapala ng Parokya ni San Vicente.” The occasion highlights Bayambang’s latest attempt to enter in the Guinness Book of World Records the Tallest Bamboo Sculpture (Supported) of St. Vincent Ferrer. Currently, Bayambang holds the world record for the longest barbecue grill.

The creation of the tallest bamboo sculpture of the town patron saint was the brainchild of Niña who is a devotee like her husband. The 51-meter statue, made of steel frame and engineered bamboo panels as cladding material, will be formally unveiled on April 5 at the St. Vincent Ferrer Park in Barangay Bani.

Niña shared, “Since Mayor Cezar took office in 2016, we have been very hands-on when it comes to the fiesta preparations because we believe that it can be one of the biggest income generators for Bayambang. So, it’s not just about celebrating but also providing a better life to all Bayambangueños.”

Celebrities expected to grace the affair are Vice Ganda, Kamikazee, Bianca Gonzales, Paulo Avelino, Derek Ramsay and Dominic Roque.