NEWSFLASH 

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UPDATE ON FORMER SEX SIREN DIVINA VALENCIA

Quezon City, Feb. 6, 2000 - Divina Valencia, Mother to equally controversial actor-painter Dranreb Belleza, Divina was reigning bold star during her prime. She was only 17 when she became a screen sexpot. A pioneer bold star, she was the first to wear bikinis and do kissing scenes onscreen.

Divina is now Divina Valencia Quesada and her life-story will be featured on “The 700 Club Asia” on GMA 7 at 7:30 a.m. today (with a replay on Tuesday. Feb. 8 on Channel II).

Program host Coney Reyes remembers that it was the late radio-TV counselor and host Helen Vela who introduced both Divina and herself to a personal relationship with Christ. That was in l987. “That turned my life around,” says Coney, “and the same for Divina.”

Divina explains her behavior then: “I grew up missing fatherly affection, hugs, everything. My mother told me when I was three years old that he had died. I found out later that he just left us. So I lived a life of rebellion. I boozed, smoked marijuana; masaktan lang ng konti, inom na ng inom.”

She also went through a series of failed relationships. She lost her luster as a screen goddess.

“Naging gutom ako, uhaw for God. Helen invited me to one of their worship services. But I didn’t want to go to ‘hallelujah-amen’ type of gatherings na parang sira-ulo.”

One year later, however, she finally went with Helen.

“And I was the first one to go for an ‘altar call’ to accept Jesus as my Lord and Savior,” Divina recounts. “I finally found a father - my Father in heaven,” she says.

Today, a very dignified and peaceful Divina has settled down in San Diego, California where she lives with her husband, a pastor, Delfin Quesada.

“God changed me so much,” she shares. “My life has been shaken by storms, earthquakes. But God has proven to be my strength and foundation.”