A PBB alumna’s story of hope By Maridol Rañoa-Bismark

Because she had practically no one else to cling to but herself in Japan, Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) recent evictee — and now returnee — Wendy Valdez had to be brave.

As an entertainer working to feed her family back home, she had to fend off indecent proposals from men of all shapes and sizes. She had to fight for herself because if she didn’t, who would?. Vultures out there are only all too willing to pounce on the petite, frail-looking woman with the olive skin whose culture is as foreign to her as her language is to them.

Still, she has no regrets. “I don’t want to say life is cruel. It’s unfair, yes. But not cruel,” says the part-time commercial model who has graced Knorr, Jollibee, PH Care, Metrobank, Enchanted Kingdom, Generoso Brandy and Globe TV ads.

The attitude is amazing for someone who has grappled with poverty as early as age 10. After her father left them, Wendy’s family had to move to a squatter’s area where they lived on their mother’s meager income. Thus, Wendy took it upon herself to be the breadwinner. She joined a band as lead vocalist. Later, as the family’s needs increased, she flew to Japan to work as entertainer.

Last year, Wendy made it to the list of 38 scholars who passed the Pinoy Dream Academy screening and performed in the kick-off ceremony in Cebu. But she didn’t make it to the final 20.

Spunky Wendy has not lost hope, though. After all, that’s all she has right now. “I want to be super busy so I won’t feel the pain of poverty,” she says. All she wants, Wendy asks, is a regular source of income so she can continue to provide for her family.

After all, she’s gotten used to being responsible for her family, especially her siblings, whom Wendy dreams of someday seeing through college.

Far from being a burden, she looks at her breadwinner status as a blessing.

“It’s hard to see your family suffer while you’re enjoying yourself,” she explains.

And while she’s at it, Wendy would like to deny rumors that a rich Japanese is providing for her. Go visit the shanty her family lives in somewhere in Navotas, Wendy challenges her detractors. It’s certainly not a place the mistress of a rich Japanese guy should stay in. And the family has yet to eat five times a day as a sign that they’re wallowing in wealth.

The signs of poverty don’t manifest on Wendy, who keeps herself well-groomed and poised like a former Bb. Pilipinas-Tourism should. Only the tears welling in her eyes whenever someone asks her about her family’s financial status betray Wendy’s fear.

But, brave girl that she is, Wendy steels herself before the tears start to fall. She straightens her body, removes the hands covering her agonized face and holds her head up high. All is not lost. She still has hope and her faith in God to see her through.