NEWSFLASH

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JOLINA MAKING HAY, AND A FEW BUCKS BESIDES
(Reprinted by special arrangement with MIRROR magazine)
By Ruby V. Asoy

Manila, Oct. 10, 1998 - While the sun shines on Jolina Magdangal's career, she is making hay, so to speak, by engaging in business.

This year, the 19-year-old star opened her own boutique called Jolina's Fashion Gallery at 86-C Road 1 corner road 32 Proj. 6, Quezon City. The boutique is actually a mini-fashion cafe, where you find an exhibit of Jolina's photos, trophies and awards as a performer. The boutique itself offers accessories, clothes (some of which she herself designs, some she acquired abroad and from a supplier).

"Business has been bullish," said her dad Jun, "that by the end of October, Jolina's Fashion Gallery will open in Cebu."

The boutique is a division of Centerstage Entertainment, a family-owned business. Jolina says she has spent close to a million to start the business. The four-floor unit she acquired in Quezon City houses the boutique on the first floor; the Magdangal's office on the second floor, Jolina's oom on the third floor; and her studio and terrace on the fourth floor.

Sometimes she sleeps in her studio but as much as possible she goes home to seep in her family's home along Tandang Sora Street, also in Quezon City.

Jolina says the business venture could not have been started without her ad's prodding. He has given her the right career direction, she said. Her ad, who also acts as her manager, worked as marketing man for the giant San Miguel Corporation for 21 years. But he resigned to devote more time to his daughter.

Mom Paulette, on the other hand, advises her on where to place her money. aulette was once employed at Land Bank. "So alam niya kung saan kami magbabangko, kung ano 'yong mga bangkong magsasara," said Jolina.

"Dapat makinig tayo sa ating parents, dahil sila pabalik na, tayo papunta a lang," she pointed out.

If Jolina has a good head, she gives full credit to her family. She is the second child in a brood of three. She has one sister Melanie, who has a four-year-old daughter Hannah Attika. The youngest is Jonathan.

With her business and showbiz career Jolina has her hands full. Currently she's an ASAP co-host, Star Cinema player and Disney/Universal Records talent. In between, she squeezes in her tutorials.

Aside from her boutique, Jolina is also the image model of Avon for its Teen Colors, and Teen Scents by Jolina, said to be the first fragrance formulated for Filipina teens. She also signed up with Star Magic, the licensing arm of ABS-CBN 2 which launched her Teen Scents

Jolina seems the perfect model for today's wholesome Pinoy teener.

There's been some controversy, however, over an erroneously released report in a column ( by Dolly Ann Carvajal) in the Daily Inquirer saying that Jolina was recently named UNICEF ambassador of goodwill. Actually, this is not quite true. Dr. Teresa Stuart, communication officer of UNICEF clarified that there has been a "misrepresentation" or miscommunication about the matter.

An official statement issued by Dr. Terrel M. Hill, UNICEF's representative to the Philippines said: "I would like to correct any misunderstanding that Ms. Jolina Magdangal has been appointed as UNICEF's 'Ambassadress of Goodwill.' While we admire Ms. Magdangal's talent, popularity, and influence among young people, UNICEF does not have any relationship whatsoever with Ms. Magdangal. By way of this statement, I hope to correct the spate of inaccurate reports that have appeared in newspapers, television, and other media."

Stuart explained that the "misrepresentation" might have occurred in the course of the Department of Health's plan to tap young people to promote the Philippine Measles Elimination Campaign. UNICEF, he said is supporting DOH in this program.

Stuart said the DOH conducted an informal survey of elementary and high school pupils' favorite celebrities. Jolina's name came out in the top five.

"Based on that, the DOH tried to look for Jolina's manager, her father,"adds Stuart. "Nothing has been firmed up yet and we were caught by surprise when this newspaper column announced that Jolina is UNICEF's 'Ambassadress of Goodwill' without us even knowing about it."

Apparently, DOH proposed that Jolina becomes the National Youth Advocate, (first as National Youth Health Advocate). But Jolina's father, it seems, didn't want his daughter to be just a health advocate.

"So that's fine. But the main purpose was for her to be tapped first and foremost to promote the Philippine Measles Elimination Campaign which is already ongoing," she explained.

Stuart further explained that during that meeting, Magdangal learned that UNICEF is one of the supporters of the campaign. He then proposed to the DOH if it is possible for UNICEF to endorse Jolina as an Ambassadress of Goodwill. The idea was, however, not approved. Besides, she said, it was DOH's initiative for her to become a National Youth Advocate.

To be an Ambassadress of Goodwill said Stuart, the person has to have given service to UNICEF. "There should already be an established working relationship with UNICEF."

Jolina's dad assured Dr. Stuart that he will send a press release to PDI and Ms. Carvajal correcting the earlier report (that Jolina was not designated as UNICEF's Ambassadress of Goodwill, but as a National Youth Advocate -- a certificate of her designation will be signed on October 1).

"Of course, we admire Jolina," admitted Stuart. "We recognize her talent, her following; she's a very talented and a promising young star. And she's very wholesome. She could qualify. But let's not preempt the process. Regardless of how you look at it, this is dishonesty. It's really not good to accelerate the process. In fact, we could even consider her in the future."

Actually, Stuart revealed that it was Gary Valenciano who was being considered as UNICEF ambassador. She said that because of that news item concerning Jolina, the move to announce Gary Valenciano's designation as UNICEF's ambassador of goodwill was preempted.

"We've been negotiating with Gary Valenciano (though he already agreed). An official from New York even came here to talk with his family, to find out if he's really deserving. It's a long process," explained Stuart. "Our partnership with Gary started way back in 1996. It was only recently that we recommended him. He's very deserving, he's very generous to children, and in terms of his talent and time, and he has a very wholesome family image. We're still going to launch him in November or December. Right now, Gary is helping us promote salt iodization and children's rights."

According to Stuart there were only two international Ambassadors of Goodwill for UNICEF, in the persons of the late Audrey Hepburn and Peter Ustinov. All the rest are called Special Representatives for their specific fields. (end)