For Dawn, family comes first

While some actresses become so engrossed in raising their bank accounts at the expense of their families, Dawn Zulueta is the exception. For her, it’s family first.

“Why shouldn’t I do it?” Dawn asked. “I think I’m fortunate that I have the means and the freedom to make that choice. I’m very grateful for that. That’s why I am more practical in how I handle my career. While it is important for me to do also what I love, I do not forget that my first priority, first and foremost, is my family, especially my children who are the be-all and end-all.”

Dawn and her husband, former Davao del Norte Rep. Anton Lagdameo, have two children, Jacobo who is turning 14 in October and Ayisha, 10 in June.

As the mom of fast-growing children, Dawn said that she tries to go with the times.

“So that I can understand what and how kids are these days,” she explained. “But I try not to get carried away by the way the world has changed compared to what it was in my time. So I’m quite conservative in disciplining them. Anton and I share the same values in how we discipline our children. We want them to flourish as adults so they can think for themselves. We want to raise them in a way that they do not forget the important values.”

Dawn has been turning down offers to do teleserye exactly for the same reason.

Dawn with Michael V., her leading man and director in GMA Pictures and Mic Test Entertainment’s Family History

“The offers were not exciting enough,” she admitted. “Doing teleserye takes a lot of time. If I’m not happy doing it, sayang lang ang time. I will just be miserable going to work every day. As I said, I am fortunate because I have the freedom to choose whether to work or not. I can budget my time. The project has to be good and worth it for me to be away from my family even only for a while.”

One such project is GMA Pictures and Mic Test Entertainment’s Family History, the directorial debut of Michael V. who wrote the story and stars in it.

“I’m happy to be back doing comedy,” said Dawn whose last movie appearance was in the 2017 comedy Meant to Beh. It was a welcome breather from doing a series of dramas.

“I like my role in Family History because it’s true-to-life. I mean, nangyayari sa tunay na buhay.”

She and Michael V. play parents raising a teenager while grappling with issues confronting them as a couple.

“It shows how the parents avoid making the child carry the burden of their problems. It’s a role that I can easily identify with.”

Ciara has found a new love

Ciara Sotto and boyfriend Ian Austin, her half-American/half-Pinoy barkada in Las Vegas when she stayed there in 2008

During Helen Gamboa’s recent birthday bash at EDSA Shangri-La’s Heat, a TDH (Tall, Dark and Handsome) guy caught the attention of the well-heeled guests that included athletes (Bobby Jaworski among them), politicians (Sen. Gringo Honasan, Jaworski’s former colleague), the birthday lady’s barkada (led by Mother Lily Monteverde and Marichu “Manay Ichu” Maceda), and Helen’s and her husband Senate Pres. Tito Sotto’s families.

The guy was none other than Ian Austin, the new love of Helen and Tito’s daughter Ciara Sotto whose marriage to Jojo Oconer (by whom she has a son) has been annulled.

“Ian was my barkada when I was living in Las Vegas in 2008,” Ciara said. “At that time, we were both attached to someone else, I to my husband and he to his girlfriend.”

Ian has just moved to the Philippines from Las Vegas. From Ciara, we learned that Ian is Kapampangan (like Helen).

“He has spent some time in Pampanga where his Filipino mother comes from,” added Ciara. “He is half-American and half-Pinoy.”

Philippines to host Mr. World pageant

2016 Mr. World Rohit Khandelwal of India (left) and 2018 Mr. World Philippines JB Saliba

After several postponements, the Philippines will finally host the 2019 Mr. World pageant. Reigning title-holder is Rohit Kahndelwal of India and the country’s bet is 2018 Mr. World Philippines JB Saliba.

“We are proud to announce that the 2019 Mr. World pageant will be held at the Smart Araneta Coliseum on Aug. 23,” said Arnold Vegafria, national director of Mr./Miss World Philippines and producer of Mr. World 2019 pageant. “It’s a ‘first’ for the Philippines. More than just a search for the world’s ‘Most Desirable Man,’ the pageant hopes to promote the ideals of the gentlemen who truly deserve to be hailed as ambassadors of goodwill.” — Reported by Celso de Guzman Caparas

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