In a few weeks’ time, the country will produce a new batch of graduates who will embark on higher challenges in life. But to those who’ve “been there, done that,” they would perhaps count high school as one of the best, if not the best times during their youth.

This holds true for Lovi Poe. “I love going to school. I love being with my friends,” the 24-year-old actress revealed to Bulletin Entertainment and select members of the press during a set visit to her latest film, “The Bride and The Lover.” She finished her secondary studies at the Colegio de San Agustin (CSA) in Makati.

Prior to joining showbiz, Lovi was active in school and would often participate in extra-curricular activities. She was a cheerleader (yes, she did the cartwheels and splits!), a member of their theater organization, and she sang a lot even then, too.

Like any student, Lovi enjoyed memorable occasions in school such as their batch party (the first party she ever attended), as well as the JS Prom.

“Siyempre that (batch party) was the moment na, as a kid, you’re so vulnerable and in love na in love. Prom (was memorable because) I was with my friends… Especially sa CSA, everyone’s so fun and so game,” she fondly recalled.

When it came to academics, Lovi cited English and Literature as her favorite subjects. “I love reading. I hate Math. Never kaming nagkaayos ng Math,” she shared with a laugh.
She later on enrolled at Miriam College, “but I stopped kasi hindi kinaya ng schedule ko.”

“Until first year (lang ako do’n) pero I finished my Business Management (at the International Business School, Makati) pero sandali lang ’yon,” she added.

Beyond books, one of the most important lessons that Lovi got from school is her sense of “pakikisama” – something that she’s able to apply in the daily showbiz grind.

“When you’re in school naman kasi iba’t-ibang klaseng tao ’yung mga nakakasama mo. Especially ako, co-ed pa ’yung school ko, may mga lalaki so hindi ako ilang sa lalaki. Normal na ’yun sa ’kin kasi everyday I see them in school. Wala akong wall. Kasi some girls can have this wall eh, ’yung ilang sa lalaki. Kaya parang marami na akong kapatid na lalaki, kasi wala lang sa ’kin,” she said.

The daughter of the late Fernando Poe, Jr. has always carried another life lesson imparted by her high school teacher. “Always do your best in everything that you do so that you don’t have to repeat it or do it all over again… Kasi you always wanna try to make it perfect the first shot pa lang.”

She applies the same principle as a professional, pointing out that she doesn’t set limitations but simply “let things happen.”

In “The Bride and The Lover,” for one, Lovi went out of her comfort zone when it came to the love scenes. The award-winning Kapuso star admitted feeling challenged by her character but she has full trust in her director, Joel Lamangan.

Clarifying that the upcoming Regal sexy-drama release is not just another infidelity-themed film, Lovi related that the story emphasizes the relationship between two friends and breaking the “girl code.”