MANILA, Philippines — Jolina is happy to attend the recently concluded 8th Star Magic Ball.
While now a GMA Network talent, Jolina was invited to attend the annual event along with Heart Evangelista, also from the Kapuso channel.
"Honestly, nalulula ako," she replied when asked how she's feeling after attending the event. "Kasi siguro ang tagal ko ng ... more than ten years akong hindi nakatungtong ng [ABS-CBN]. Though Makati 'yon, 'yong mga tao do'n more than ten years ko ng hindi nakakasama."
Jolina attended the star-studded event even when sick, preventing her to catch up with other old colleagues in the network.
However, she was still was able to chat with Nikki Valdez, Kaye Abad and others.
After experiencing being with people in ABS-CBN, which aired "Ang TV," her first big break, Jolina could say that bridges weren't burned.
"Although hindi ko alam no'ng bata ako, no'ng umalis ako do'n," she further adds, recalling the time she moved to GMA-7 in 2002.
"Nare-realize ko, 'yong nangyari dati, naaalala ko 'yong feeling ko, wala akong alam. Alam ko lang nagta-trabaho ko, tapos. Hindi ko alam kung may na-burn ako na bridge."
When asked if an opportunity comes, will she do a project with ABS-CBN, Jolina replied, "Mahirap magsalita ngayon kasi naka-kontrata pa ako a GMA, e.
"Pero siguro kung anu't ano man ang mangyari, ang iniisip ko na lang, marami akong na-miss na mga kaibigan doon and marami akong na-miss na katrabaho, 'yong nakagisnan ko sa showbiz na-meet ko ulit, masaya pa rin. So anuman ang mangyari, I think more on sa friendship, e, kaysa pa sa trabaho."
At the fifth anniversary celebration of Perry Lansigan talent management on Tuesday, September 9, Jolina was with her husband Mark Escueta and son Pele Iñigo.
Pele is six months and three weeks old, and would smile at everyone in the event.
Jolina says she's enjoying motherhood as she does not miss a single event in her son's life.
She's also proud to be breastfeeding Pele and being a hands-on mom assisted only by a babysitter.
Time management is her secret to balancing being a wife, mother, and career woman.
"Naka-schedule talaga lahat," she relates. "Basta kahit anong gagawin ko sa schedule ko, dapat dalawa kami ng asawa ko na nag-aayos no'n. Kasi may career din siya, and as a wife gusto ko rin suportahan ang career ng asawa ko.
Jolina Magdangal and husband Mark Escueta.. Philstar/Joyce Jimenez
"Basta tulungan kami sa lahat ng bagay. Priority namin si Pele. Kung tingin namin may ma-sacrifice sa kanya, mayro'n kaming puwedeng hindi tanggapin. Kung ikaka-sacrifice ng anak ko 'yon, hindi ko ipipilit 'yon."
When it comes to having a second child, the Kapuso singer-actress said they'll wait one or two more years to give enough attention to their first-born.