Priscilla Meirelles: I choose to be happy
MANILA, Philippines — Following her separation from estranged husband John Estrada, Priscilla Meirelles stated that she is now “at peace” after what she went through.
She was calm and collected, showing off her funny side, when she answered questions from the press during her contract signing with VAA (Viva Artists Agency) and mediacon held at the Viva office.
The former beauty queen forged a deal with VAA as one of its talents, co-managed by veteran entertainment writer and talent manager Aster Amoyo.
“Two years ago, I was already at peace. Haha!” declared Priscilla. “I was brought up in a family where respect is very important. And as a woman and a mom, I really want to teach my daughter (what is) right. And I don’t want to normalize wrong in a society, especially in a society (where) men can do as they please, nobody says anything, society accepts and we just need to be quiet and smile because they are paying the bills. That’s unfair.
“So in that scenario, I just wanted to make sure that I don’t want to be those (kinds of) women who say it’s OK because it’s not. And I think by doing that, somehow I kinda started, you know, ignited (something) in a lot of people who were being treated unfairly and to also speak their minds and to advocate themselves.”
Priscilla further stressed the importance of respect for family. “It’s not acceptable to behave in certain ways in society and to treat family, sorry to say, as trash. Family is the most important pillar of society. And when you analyze that and when you start (treating) the family as something that doesn’t matter by not giving the right importance to its members and respect that (the family) deserves, I think that’s when it collapses.”
As a mom and wife, she believed that “we need and we deserve the respect that we work hard for.”
In her case, Priscilla mustered enough courage, prepared herself and just walked away from the unfortunate situation she was in before.
“And I did after so many years which is harder. It would be a lot easier if it was in the beginning but then again it doesn’t matter because the important thing is that I need to stand for myself because if I don’t, nobody will. And I need to stand for my daughter because I don’t want that to be normalized and believe that it’s OK because it’s not.”
Her rage for her ex-partner was a thing of the past, she said. “Kay John, yung galit ko sa kanya dati-dati pa eh. Medyo ma-vocal, medyo nag-burst and explode sa social media yun. I don’t think it’s a secret to anyone that John has always been the way he is. Haha! So let’s just say that when things exploded, decisions were already made and that’s why it happened. Because I really didn’t want to stay anymore in a situation where I was not happy.”
The two tied the knot in 2011. Last year, they sparked breakup rumors after their respective posts on social media about their marital woes.
Is she open to working with John after what happened and now that she is marking a new chapter in her career with Viva?
“Why not? Gusto ko yung parang sampalin ko siya. Haha! Pwede ba? ‘How dare you! Pak!’ Joke,” she quipped and added, “Actually John and I, a lot of things happened and I’m in a place right now where not necessarily (I feel) a lot of hurt but I’ve moved on from that because I choose to be happy. Happiness is a choice to do every day. And if there will be an opportunity that we’re gonna work together, as long as it is not a kissing scene, I’m OK. Haha!”
Priscilla furthered that she is open to entertain suitors and love again. “As soon as I’m officially no longer married, why not coconut? Haha! I believe I’m still at a good age to develop romantic relationships and yes, I’m very open to that, on the day that I’m no longer somebody’s wife.”
She clarified that they are still legally married in the Philippines but she “started processing something to be discussed in the future.”
Accompanying Priscilla at the contract signing and presscon was her equally lovely daughter with John, Anechka.
She and John are co-parenting their 13-year-old daughter who has a knack for music. “There is no bad blood between us. When it comes to what he’s doing out of his life, what I’ve been doing with my life, there’s boundaries that were placed and I think as long as you respect that, and I definitely respect that, ‘cause I’m the one that put those. Haha! So I don’t think we have a problem,” Priscilla said on co-parenting with John.
The Brazilian beauty queen and model decided to continue her showbiz career in the Philippines because she considered the country as her home. “I honestly don’t see myself anywhere else. I’ve embraced the Philippines as my home even though I’m Brazilian by birth,” she said.
“I’ve stayed in the Philippines longer than my home country. I’ve been in the Philippines for 21 years. Although wala akong dugong Pinoy, I don’t have a (Philippine) passport, I’m a permanent resident. So kahit anong sitwasyon ng pag-ibig ko, it won’t change the fact that this is my home and I plan to stay here.”
She previously appeared in supporting roles for “Be My Lady” (2016), “Wildflower” (2017), “Haplos” (2017), and “Bagong Umaga” (2020).
Welcoming Priscilla to the Viva family were Viva Communications chairman and chief executive officer Vic Del Rosario, and VAA president and chief operating officer Veronique del Rosario.
“We wanted to get her before. But now (that) she’s available, we have plans for her to do movies, hosting, and get her endorsements. She has a good daughter that could also sing and hopefully we could get her,” remarked Boss Vic.
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