Kring-Kring at her best

MANILA, Philippines - She has a face admired by everybody. She has a body envied by everyone. And she has a heart every person ought to have.

Cristina Gonzales-Romualdez, known as Kring-Kring in Philippine show business, is an actress/singer-turned-politician. The two-term councilor of Tacloban City finds similarities in showbiz and politics.

In both worlds, she has met all kinds of people, dealt with detractors and made many friends.

“Dealing with all kinds of people when I was in show business sort of prepared me for my political life. In showbiz, I used to play different roles. Now in politics, I play a role and meet different people every day — real people who need real help to their real problems,” says the former actress who started in showbiz when Kuya Germs Moreno invited her and her sister to be part of his Sunday noontime TV show.

Kring-Kring admits that she never had ambitions of being in politics, but accepted it as part of God’s plan for her life. She says politics is more stressful, hectic, and is definitely not glamorous. In front of the cameras as an actress, Kring-Kring used to be all made up, in designer clothes, high heels or stilettos. Today, she usually wears polo shirts, jeans and rubber shoes as she goes around the city.

“Although it is not glamorous, I find more fulfillment in politics especially when I see that I am able to help people and actually change their lives,” she shares.

The councilor is proud of her pet project in Tacloban City, the Women’s and Children’s Shelter that rescues and houses women and children who were abused, battered or raped.

Kring-Kring, a mother of two girls — a 12-year-old and an eight-year-old — feels responsible for the women and children housed at the shelter. She really immersed in the many situations she encounters at the shelter like the 12-year-old girl who was raped, got pregnant and gave birth.

“I feel like the children in the shelter are my children, too. I know all they need is for people to love and care for them enough to want to help them and bring them out of their bad situation,” Kring-Kring says.

She also has the Cristina’s Learn and Earn Program where women and men are taught livelihood skills like haircutting, manicure, massage, reflexology, cooking, baking, sewing and others that may help them earn income for the family. Since 2007, the project has seen almost 3,000 graduates in the different short courses the program offers. Many of them have been able to add to their daily income or have even applied for jobs elsewhere.

It helps that her husband, Alfred Romualdez, is also a politician. He is the mayor of Tacloban City and hails from the famous Romualdez clan of Leyte. Imee and Bongbong Marcos are his cousins.

Kring-Kring actually became inspired to be a public servant because of her husband.

“It’s good that we are in the same field. My husband helps me and gives pieces of advice when it comes to politics since he is more experienced in this field. We can talk about the same things and discuss issues with each other,” Kring-Kring says.

She confesses, though, that she also misses the times when they would take motorcycle trips together, like when they rode from Malaysia to Phuket with friends. Kring-Kring and Alfred also rented a big bike once and rode from California to Oregon. Now that they are both in politics, they do not have much time for that anymore.

With husband, Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez

The whirlwind romance started in 2006 when Kring-Kring and Alfred met through common friends. Less than 10 days after their first encounter, they were already officially a couple. They married in 2008 and are now parents of Sofia and Diana. Kring-Kring also has two all grown-up stepsons — Franco, 28 and Raymund, 24.

Kring-Kring feels blessed to have a husband like Alfred who doesn’t drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes. Kring-Kring and Alfred teach their children good values like being kind to others and never forgetting to pray to God every night to thank Him for all His blessings.

Kring-Kring keeps her body fit and her health in check because of her big responsibilities of being a public servant, wife, mother and businesswoman. She tries to eat healthy foods as much as she can. She admits that she needs more discipline in trying to develop an exercise routine.

One of the most beautiful faces in Philippine politics today believes that righteous governance is needed in Philippine politics.

A Christian, Kring-Kring prays that one day, the country will have leaders who are honest and who truly want to serve their constituents.

“To be a good leader, you need to have patience and wisdom. I learned to love what I am doing as it has made me more aware of what is really happening with our constituents, the problems they have and how to help them,” she says.

Come 2012, Kring-Kring will still be busy in her work as a public servant, but will take on another challenge as an endorser. Dr. Manny Calayan personally chose Kring-Kring along with two other lady politicians to endorse the beauty center.