POKWANG  COUNTS  HER  BLESSINGS


MANILA, FEBRUARY 3, 2010 (MALAYA) ETHEL RAMOS ( ‘Sila lang ang nakaka-appreciate ng beauty ko. – Pokwang’)

POKWANG still sheds tears every time she recalls the time she was growing up. They were so poor, she recalls, that they hardly knew when it was Christmas.

"Kaya noong Pasko, super handa ang ginawa ko sa bahay," she reveals. "Lahat ng kapatid ko had a regalo. Which we all never experienced noong bata pa ako.

"Finally, na-realize ng mother ko ang magkaroon ng one karat diamond ring. Plus a pair of one karat diamond earrings. May pagka vain ang nanay ko nung kabataan niya.

"I would notice na may suot na singsing na gawa ang mother ko sa wire. Yes, the wire used as sampayan by the mahihirap na tulad namin to dry their clothings na nilabahan.

"Kaya pangako ko sa sarili ko, when I would have made something of myself and am earning my own money, ibibili ko ang mother ko ng isang expensive set of jewelry," Pokwang related further.

***

After six years of hard work in showbiz, Pokwang has realized not only all her dreams but also has actually gotten more than what she hoped for.

"I wanted a house for me and my family," she said. "’Yung hindi katulad ng dating tinitirhan naming barong-barong. A house na ‘di pang-mayaman, pero, presentable."

Now, Pokwang has built a house not just for herself and her family but she also was able to buy another piece of land near the house where she and her daughter reside.

"Baka lagyan ko ng extension ang bahay. Build a swimming pool, which is my daughter’s dream. And widen my garden.

"Mahilig kasi akong magtanim-tanim, kapag wala akong ginagawa.

"Planting anything relaxes me."

***

Pokwang considers one of her biggest accomplishments this year her purchase of a property in a plush beach resort in Bataan.

She heard that comedian Vic Sotto also owns a property in the area.

"Naisip ko, now I have a place to relax," she muses. "I can bring my daughter there, my mother and my siblings with their children.

"Marami pa, of course," Pokwang, Marietta Subong in real life, replied. "As long as God continues to bless me with work, hindi ako susuko.

"Alam kong I owe Bro a lot. Kaya naman walang katapusan ang pasasalamat ko sa Kanya."

***

She said she wants to fall in love again some day.

"Siguro mas maganda talaga if I choose a foreigner again. Besides, ang appeal ko yata ay pang foreigner. Sila lang ang nakaka-appreciate ng beauty ko."

Pokwang has twice fallen in love. And both were Japanese.

With each of them, she had a child: a daughter, now 13, and a son, who died when he was five years old.

Pokwang is the next star who will be featured in the series, "Your Song."

Her episode is titled "Love Me, Love You," co-starring her with Jason Abalos, Desiree del Valle, Chinggoy Alonzo and Vangie Labalan, who plays her mom.

She has two daily shows, the game program, "Wowowee," and the gag show, "Banana Split," both produced by ABS-CBN.

***

James Yap reportedly gifted wife, Kris Aquino, with an eternity ring, obviously, his peace offering after they kissed and make-up, following a misunderstanding which nearly broke up their marriage anew.

Kris, as we all know, left James, bringing with her their kids, Joshua and James, and stayed in her Ate Pinky’s house.

Kris and James had a quarrel after Kris had confronted a neighbor in their former home in Valle Verde. She was irritated with their neighbor, Mayen Austria, who frequently sent text messages to James. This, despite James’ assurance that there was nothing between him and Mayen.

In the end, we heard, Kris has apologized to Mayen and her mom, who was caught in the crossfire, so to speak.

The Yaps will soon be transferring to a new residence, an oversized unit in a plush Makati condominium.

They have sold their Valle Verde residence.