Lovi Poe on failed loves, Susan Roces, Grace Poe and late dad FPJ's legacy

It takes courage to grow up and become who you really are.  — Poet e.e. cummings

One of the fast-rising stars in Philippine entertainment is the award-winning young actress, Bench Body endorser, singer, model and 22-year-old daughter of the late “King of Philippine Movies” Fernando Poe, Jr., Lovi Poe. She’s co-starring with Heart Evangelista, Alessandra de Rossi, Sam Pinto, Solenn Heussaff and many others on the new GMA-7 teleserye entitled Legacy. She recently gave this writer an exclusive interview. Here are excerpts:

PHILIPPINE STAR: What is your reaction to ongoing investigations that former president Gloria Macapagal Arroyo allegedly “stole” the 2004 election victory from your late father, and that he should have won?

LOVI POE: Ever since, in my heart, I’ve always known that it was my late father who won. Hopefully, justice can be given, whatever is the truth.

Is it true you no longer have a boyfriend? Who is your ideal guy?

Whoever that person whom I will meet someday, I hope stable na ako also.

So it’s true, former Ilocos Sur Congressman Ronald Singson, who is now in jail in Hong Kong, is no longer your boyfriend?

I’m not anymore with him.

Who are you dating now? Or, who’s your new boyfriend?

(Laughs) Marami na akong ka-date (I have a lot of dates), showbiz and non-showbiz guys.

Is it true there ex-Congressman Ronald Singson will be released from prison this January?

That was in the conviction or verdict, 10 months in jail, and he’s done with his term.

Last year when Marian Rivera and Heart Evangelista had a quarrel, you were somewhat caught in between, I heard. Are you on good terms with both?

FPJ’s little girl all grown up: Lovi Poe has three tattoos, all of them for her dad, she says. Her tattoos read: “My Wings,” “My Gravity” and “Quiet Child.”

We’re all grown-ups, I consider them my friends, and I don’t take sides.

How is your relationship with your half-sister MTRCB Chairman Grace Poe Llamanzares? Are you close?

Si Ate Grace, she’s very nice to me. The last time I met her was at the luncheon press conference of the Metro Manila Film Festival held in Club Filipino, Greenhills, San Juan in December.

It’s natural for half-sisters or step-siblings to not like each other. But you have no problems of any kind with your elder half-sister Grace Poe Llamanzares?

I’m very happy that Ate Grace has always been very nice to me. I can’t say anything bad about our relationship.

Your sister Grace Poe seems very smart and capable, if she runs for the Senate in 2013, will you actively campaign for her?

Yes, of course, I will campaign for her and support her.

Mother Lily Monteverde of Regal Films told me she was so disappointed that your MMFF entry Yesterday, Today & Tomorrow, was disqualified from competing for the Best Film Award by the organizers. Your reactions?

It’s kind of sad our movie was disqualified, especially since our director worked so hard. He tried his best to bring out the best in us, especially pa since many of us stars were crazy in our own ways.

Congrats on your new teleserye Legacy. Speaking of legacy, what do you think is the legacy of your father, the late actor, director, producer and presidential candidate Fernando Poe, Jr.?

It’s his name, because of how… it’s really never just about his having been the “King of Philippine Movies,” but it’s more that he was a good person, and he really helped a lot of people.

Have you already met your dad’s widow, Susan Roces?

Yes, before pa when my dad passed away, we met.

Is there truth to the rumor that, like Sharon Cuneta Pangilinan of ABS-CBN 2 transferring recently to TV5, you’re rumored to also be transferring from GMA-7 to Channel 2?

No, no… no naman. Happy naman ako. (I’m quite happy).

Are you excited about your big role on the new TV drama Legacy?

Yes, I believe it’s important to give justice to my character. This drama series has a very interesting story about the love, money and other intrigues of a beauty business empire’s family. I hope the exciting story will be sustained.

You seemed to have made a dramatic transformation, becoming a sexy woman and fashionable too?

Natatawa nga ako (It amused me) when the story of my life was shown on the Showbiz Central TV talk show, when they showed old TV clips of my early interviews and showbiz appearances, I didn’t know then how to dress up well.

Why the transformation? Who coached you on your look or fashion?

Last year, it was Heart Evangelista who taught me how to really dress up well. We’d stay at her place, that was when we were together in the Party Pilipinas Sunday noontime TV show.

What about your image as a sexy showbiz celebrity? Why this daring shift?

Maybe that happened when I stopped being pa tweetums. Before, I was really afraid to let people see a lot of skin or my physique, I especially didn’t want people to see my tattoos because I’m the daughter of my father and all that. But later on, I realized that I’m not entirely like my late father.

You have tattoos? Where? What’s written or drawn on those?

(Lovi stands up to point out positions of her tattoos.) I have three tattoos. They’re all for my dad. Here (on the left side of her body) it says “My Wings,” “My Gravity” and “Quiet Child.”

Are those tattoos covered when you wear a swimsuit?

When I wear a bikini, the tattoos are not hidden, they can be seen. Now I’m no longer shy for others to see them.

I suggest you don’t add any more tattoos…

No, I won’t. (Chuckles)

You seem to be so slim. Do you eat at all? What is your waistline? Your vital statistics?

(Laughs) Sorry, I don’t know…

You said that Heart Evangelista is your good friend and even one-time fashion adviser, but now that you’re both co-starring on this new TV series as rival half-sisters within a beauty business family, would your on-screen rivalry possibly spill over to real life?

No naman, what we have between me and Heart, we have this thing that… We’re very open with each other. She also doesn’t easily listen to other people’s stories. If there are any slight differences, we talk. Heart is a very open-minded person.

You have an adviser on fashion, what about love advice? Are there people advising you to stay away from ex-Congressman Ronald Singson?

No one’s giving me love advice, or advice of that kind…

Problems or pains from your past love experiences or failed romances that were good for you as a person?

They’ve helped me in some ways, yes… especially when I need painful experiences during my acting, I think about it.

Lessons you’ve learned from your past failed loves?

A lot, I guess. The main thing I learned is… love yourself first before anything.

Going back to your famous father FPJ, what are your most unforgettable moments with your late dad?

Sorry. I’d like to keep it private.

What similarities do you have with your father, apart from your looks?

We have the same simple mannerisms, like my often putting my hands in my pocket.

Your surname Poe, is that American in origin like that of the poet Edgar Allan Poe?

Our original surname was Pou, I think it just became Poe. It was my dad’s mom who was American, not his paternal Poe side.

Speaking of your dad’s paternal side, have you heard that your grandfather Fernando Poe, Sr. was himself a famous actor and filmmaker of his era?

I heard my lolo was also the model for the University of the Philippines’ Oblation statue.

Is it true your grandpa was bitten by dogs or puppies, which caused his death?

Yes, I heard that he was bitten by a dog or it licked his wound or something, due to rabies I think. Please ask others to verify details, because I don’t know much.

Because of this story, are you by any chance afraid of dogs?

No, I love dogs.

What dogs do you have, their breeds and names?

I have a Chowchow named Chubby, two Shih-tzus called Phoebe and Chibby. The name “Chibby” means “baby” in Japanese.

Why do you love dogs?

Sobrang love ko mga dogs (I super love dogs), as in … They know when you’re sad, like when I was crying, my dog would sit beside me and lick my hands. My dog Phoebe is very clingy and selosa (jealous). Phoebe dances very well too!

Apart from loving dogs, going back to your former love life, wasn’t the son of Senator Bong Revilla and Congresswoman Lani Mercado your former boyfriend?

Yes, Jolo Revilla.

Was he your first boyfriend and then Ronald Singson your second?

No, my first boyfriend was a non-showbiz guy, then Jolo was my second boyfriend and Ronald was the third.

So all your former boyfriends were politicians, in a way?

Jolo was not yet into politics when we were together.

When Ronald Singson was your boyfriend, his dad Governor Chavit Singson reportedly lent you the use of his private jet. How many times?

Secret na lang ‘yon, before pa iyon… It’s done na.

You’re one of the brightest showbiz talents I’ve talked to. Where did you study?

Colegio San Agustin in Dasmariñas Village, Makati.

Your favorite books?

Out of everything that I’ve read, I really like Angels & Demons by Dan Brown. I also like Paradise by Judith McNaught.

Top three sexiest actresses in local showbiz?

Solenn Heussaff, Angel Locsin and Iza Calzado.

Top three sexiest actors?

Jake Cuenca, Jericho Rosales and Richard Gutierrez.

What are aspects of your persona that the public doesn’t know?

I’m very hyper and makulit (insistent)!

Any advice for President Noynoy Aquino?

I’m not very good at politics, but… it’s nice to focus on a lot of more important things.

If you were not in showbiz, what would you be right now?

I’d be a doctor, a psychiatrist, but walang time na (I’ve no more time) for that due to my work schedule.

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