Former beauty queen Abby Cruz stands firm in her decision not to appear on the cover of any men’s magazine.

She has nothing against the job per se, "but it’s just not my thing."

“I'd like to think I'm a role model for the younger generation. I know naman na magagampanan ko ito without baring," she told Manila Bulletin Entertainment Online on Oct. 29 during a lunch interview at Dulcinea in Tomas Morato, Quezon City.  

Abby added: "Besides, it’s my conviction na....I’m okay [about the fact] that I was once picked for Best in Swimsuit in [the 2007] BB. Pilipinas.”

Nowadays, Abby, who placed second-runner up in that tilt, is eager to make a splash in the field of acting.

"'Yung totoong acting huh," she quipped.
 
She is excited about her latest project, an indie film titled "Tanglaw."

“I play a teacher na naging domestic helper kasi gusto niya ‘yung mga estudyante niya mabigyan ng magandang bukas. ‘Yung mga estudyante, sobrang mahirap. Bibigyan ko sila ng inspiration para mag-aral,” she said.

She’s positive that the film will be endorsed by EdpEd. “Kasi advocacy po to ng mga teachers,” she noted adding that the movie will also be released internationally.

Why did she seemingly, and all too suddenly, decide to join show business? Is it just a matter of course?

According to Abby, she merely wants to explore new avenues.

“Kasi po nagawa ko na ang maging model, ang sumali ng beauty pageant. Noong nag-open ‘yung doors for showbiz, sabi ko, 'Why not? Why shouldn’t I try?' I mean, I know that I can. I know that I will enjoy it.”

Abby admitted she already ventured into acting a few years back, and was actually signed to the GMA Artist Center for at least a year--appearing in some shows on the network giant.

Many speculated that it was ex-boyfriend Paolo Bediones who prevented her from pursuing it full-on.

Abby belied this. “Hindi po, kasi po even before pa nag-start ‘yong showbiz career ko, he was very supportive. It’s just that ngayon lang ako nabigyan ng better break.”

So, why did she and Paolo split? Her answer sounded as cliched as any.

“It was a mutual decision. Wala nang time sa isa’t isa. I was demanding time sa kanya, gano’n.”

The possibility of reconciliation is remote at this time, Abby confessed.

“I’m not closing any doors, pero sa ngayon, malabo , eh.”

Aside from "Tanglaw," Abby is busy with the hit TV soap, "Lovers in Paris," in which she essays the role of Assunta de Rossi’s best friend. She had previously appeared in GMA-7’s Lupin.

Is she in this for the long haul?

"Ngayon na dumating sa akin ang mga break [kaya] seseryosohin ko na ito."