Jean Garcia was 19 when she gave birth to Jennica.
“I was in love with her father,” said Jean, referring to Jigo Garcia (no relation) whose “Congratulations 2009 Graduates!” banners are hanging on lampposts and from traffic lights all over Quezon City where he plans to run for councilor in 2010. “He was my first boyfriend, my first love.”
Jennica is 19 and she has just broken up with StarStruck 2007 winner Mart Escudero, her first boyfriend and her first love.
“I’ve learned from my mom’s experience,” said Jennica who has followed in Jean’s footsteps to showbiz. “She has seen to that.”
Jean has another love son, seven-year-old Kataro, by her Japanese boyfriend with whom she fell in love while working in The Land of the Rising Sun.
The two “Js” are more like buddy-buddies than mother and daughter. The new endorsers of Bioessence (a beauty clinic), mother and daughter share more than just clothes (they are of the same size) and accessories but also secrets (beauty and otherwise) and confidences.
“Jennica knows me inside-out, from head to foot,” said Jean, “and vice-versa.”
They even cry on each other’s shoulders.
“If I can achieve only one half of what my mom has,” said Jennica wistfully, “I would be very happy.”
But Jean’s track record as an actress may be hard to match, much more to surpass.
Since her days as a Regal star (launched as the title role in Impaktita in the mid-’80s), Jean has established herself as a versatile bida-kontrabida, winning awards along the way.
“She’s my role model,” added Jennica.
How are you similar to each other?
Jean: We both have a strong personality. Like mother, like daughter.
Jennica: We are both vain, hehehehe! We love to pamper ourselves. We’ve been using Bioessence even before we became its endorsers. Sa ugali, we are the same. When somebody hurts us, we can forgive the person but we never forget what he has done to us. I noticed our similarity as I grew older.
And how different are you from each other?
Jean: Mabagal siyang kumilos; ako, mabilis.
Jennica: Pagdating sa shopping, magkaibang-magkaiba kami. She’s brand-conscious, mga designer bags. Me, I prefer “sale” items, the cheaper the better as long as it fits me at carry ko. If I want to wear an expensive dress I borrow from her. It’s a good thing that we are of the same size.
How long did you work in Japan?
Jean: Two years. I would come home every three months.
I’m sure you missed your mom when she worked in Japan. Did you feel any resentment toward her?
Jennica: She left me in the care of my ninang. I hardly missed her because she came home often. I was in elementary school at that time and I must admit that it was hard. My mom also phoned me often and when she failed to, medyo nagtatampo ako. My ninang was like a second mother to me, though. Growing up, I realized why my mom had to be away. She had a reason. She worked in Japan for me, kasi siya lang mag-isa ang nagpalaki sa akin. When I joined showbiz, I appreciated my mom all the more; ang hirap-hirap pala ng ginagawa niya.
Are you close to your father?
Jennica: Yes. When I was a kid, I would see him only once a year, usually during my birthday. But when he got a stable job, we started seeing each other more often.
No resentment toward your father?
Jennica: None at all. I am close to my paternal relatives. Kapag nandoon ako sa kanila, hindi ko nararamdaman na iba ako.
Are you close to Jennica’s dad?
Jean: Okey naman kami.
What about your other exes (including Gardo Versoza and Polo Ravales)?
Jean: I’m friends with them; ayoko ng may hinanakit.
Did you and John Lloyd Cruz really have, ehem, “a moment”?
Jean: Hahahaha! Wala! Nagkasama lang kami sa Kay Tagal Kang Hinintay (an ABS-CBN soap). We became close; I would give him (pieces of) advice. People just give our friendship a “meaning,” binigyan nila ng kulay kahit wala naman talaga.
Pero kayo ni Polo, talagang makulay, ‘no?
Jean: I won’t say kung naging kami ba talaga. I won’t call it a relasyon. I don’t know how to call it. It’s not something na, you know, “committed.”
What’s your present status?
Jean: Single.
Are you more comfortable with a man younger than you are, as old as you are or older than you are?
Jean: Actually, age doesn’t matter. What’s important is makakasundo ko, somebody who will love my family as much as I do. Kasi nga, package deal ‘yon, eh. Love me, love my children.
Your mom was your age now when she gave birth to you. What advice do you get from her as far as boys are concerned?
Jennica: My mom has complete trust in me, malaki talaga ang tiwala niya sa akin, so I don’t want to do anything that will ruin that trust. She always reminds me that she doesn’t have to keep reminding me what is right and what is wrong because, she said, “Alam mo na ‘yon.” I want her to be proud of me. Ang laki ng hirap niya sa akin! If I can achieve only one half of what she has done as an actress, happy na ako n’un.
Are you bringing up Jennica (and Kataro) the way you were brought up?
Jean: I grew up with my lola who was very strict. I’m different. I’m very liberal. Maluwag ako. But I always remind Jennica and Kataro how much I trust them at huwag nila sisirain ang tiwala ko sa kanila.
What reminders do you give Jennica where boys are concerned?
Jean: As Jennica grew up, I never hid anything from her, whether the good or the bad things that happened to me. I always remind her, “You should learn from my mistakes. Think 10 times before you make a decision.”
What kind of a mother are you?
Jean: I’m not strict. Jennica and I are just like barkadas. I had her when I was 19. She grew up na para kong kapatid, kaibigan. I’m not strict maybe because I was young when I became a mom. Jennica is open to me. We share secrets.
Don’t you meddle in Jennica’s love life?
Jean: I haven’t reached a point na dapat ko siyang pakialaman. Maybe I would if I saw that her boyfriend is not okay.
Didn’t you approve of Mart Escudero, Jennica’s immediate ex-boyfriend?
Jean: Mart was the only boyfriend Jennica has had. Mabait siyang bata; I have no complaint. Okey lang that they broke up, after all they are still young.
How would you describe your mom?
Jennica: Sobrang mapagmahal, maalaga. We are just like sisters, like friends. Uy, I’m not being showbiz, ha! I like her being talkative, hehehehe! But unlike my mom, I have to be comfortable with the people I am with bago ako maging madaldal.
What’s one thing about your mom that you are proud of?
Jennica: Her being able to take good care of me and my brother single-handedly. Mag-isa lang talaga siyang nag-palaki sa amin! She brought us up to be good children. She’s a good provider. Hindi kami nakaranas ng gutom. She sacrificed for us. She endured homesickness and loneliness in Japan in her desire to earn and give us a good future.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)