Maricar de Mesa: The struggle is over

The things showbiz does to people. As a girl, Maricar de Mesa was sheltered from the cruel world, kept to playing with her siblings within the confines of their home.

She grew up unmindful of the need to strike up a conversation with those she meets for the first time. Until showbiz came along.

The sheltered girl slowly peeled off the layers of inhibitions that trapped her in her self-made shell, and threatened to stunt her growth in meeting people from all walks of life.

The shrinking violet has transformed into a full-blown rose unafraid to scatter its scent.

"Showbiz has taught me how to get along with everybody, even `small people’ on the set like the extras and the utility men. I don’t even mind if we share the same table during meals," she says.

And Maricar de Mesa can now fend off even the sexiest questions – about her virginity, her underwear, bedtime rituals – with aplomb.

"I’m not 16 anymore," she asserts during the presscon of her upcoming starrer, Bayaran. "And I’m open-minded. I’m willing to try anything, even exotic food like bayawak. "

In a restaurant, Maricar says she’ll order for everybody except herself, and sample each food served on the table. "This way," she explains, "I won’t look stupid when people talk of exotic food."

The thrill seeking doesn’t end there. Maricar craves for the adventure learning a new kind of sport gives.

"That’s why I want a show ala Extra Extra, which allows me to go out, try, see, experience!" she gushes like a child with a gleaming new toy.

But one thing she’s not willing to try even after Nympha, Katayan (her launching movie) and Bedtime Stories is frontal nudity.

After "pushing the limits" in Nympha, Maricar wants to go milder and tamer.

In Bayaran, for instance, she manages to play her destitute prostitute role without having to bare her breasts. There’s a display of flesh, yes, but not as much as before.

"It’s because the story does not revolve on my job as a prostitute. Its main characters get hired in exchange for something. Hence, the title Bayaran. In my case, it’s about how I ended up a lady of the night," she explains.

Besides, she goes on, sexy does not necessarily mean baring your body. It’s more of an attitude – a self-assurance that you can carry yourself, regardless of what you wear.

"I’ve asked a couple of men I’m close to who confirm what I’m saying. A woman who can keep a good conversation going is sexy for them," Maricar reveals.

Among these men, Alaska player Don Allado is extra special to Maricar, not because he is her boyfriend, but because he simply inspires her.

"I go watch some of his games when I have the time. But I’m not committed to him. It might get in the way of my career," she says.

A boyfriend who will prevent her from doing all those sexy scenes she’s identified with is the last thing she needs at the moment.

"I need someone broad-minded enough to understand my job," Maricar relates.

Maricar also needs a man who can challenge her, someone she won’t get bored with. Her last relationship, a five-year romance that started when she was only 19, was with a doctor whom she describes as "too good to be true."

He was so nice, she eventually outgrew him. The excitement in the relationship faded away, and the romance died a natural death.

Now older and wiser, Maricar doesn’t mind waiting a little longer for that man who will challenge and inspire her at the same time.

San Miguel cager Danny Seigle seemed to be the man at first, but their dates failed to get them into the next level of romance.

"I’m not the type who will be all over a guy, just because he’s say, a basketball player," Maricar points out how different she is from the usual basketball fan.

"My world doesn’t revolve around the hardcourt. I’m busy with my career, and they’re busy with theirs," she adds.

The former Gobingo Girl has better things to do than hang around the hardcourt all day. She signed a contract with GMA-7, where she’s doing the weekly Sana’y Ikaw Na Nga (as the scheming Olga). The regular show keeps Maricar from feeling low after she turned down juicy movie offers that require her to expose parts of her body which she’d rather keep to herself.

But that doesn’t mean she’ll revert to her sweet and innocent That’s Entertainment days, when all she had to do was look virginal. Maricar is still open to daring roles, but not so daring anymore, please.

After all, Maricar is way past the days when big stars ignored her, just because she was just another new face on the set.

"Now, I don’t feel like an outcast anymore. In fact, one of those who refused to play a supporting role to me, now greets me with a wide, wide smile. The same holds true for those who just passed me by when I was but a struggling newcomer. Their attitude towards me has changed a lot," states Maricar.

The 360-degree turnaround has not made her vengeful at all.

"I’ve never confronted the person who refused to play a supporting role to me. Life’s like that. Today, you’re down. Tomorrow, it will finally be your turn," Maricar muses.

Showbiz has surely taught Maricar a lot of lessons. And boy, is she learning them fast!