Like mother, like daughter! "Mara got the best and worst in me. Tingnan mo ang ugali niya. Palaban! Hindi mo pwedeng apakan. Competitive. But she also got my pagka-maldita, strong-willed, determined." (Photo by NOEL PABALATE)

MANILA, Philippines — They call her the "Child of the Sea".  And she  does not contest it.  She even relishes the monicker with so much gusto she beams every time people call her that.

"I've been surfing all my life," says Mara Isabella Lopez Yokohoma during a recent brief press conference inside the GMA-7 compound for the show "Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Doubles Showdown Edition" of which she and her mom legendary beauty queen Maria Isabel Lopez are part of.

The petite 20-year-old Mass Communications graduate of La Salle continues, "I've been surfing since I was six. It's really my life's passion.  It's not just a sport for me; it's a lifestyle!  I find peace and solitude when I'm in the open waters. I feel more connected to nature and God that way."

Daddy's Girl

Mara was introduced to the extreme sport by his dad Japanese surfer/businessman Hiroshi Yokohoma who was also responsible for bringing surfing to the Philippines some years ago.  Her father established the Yokohama Surfing School in La Union and taught some of the big named stars in the entertainment industry today like Jericho Rosales, Marvin Agustin, Pia Guanio and Paolo Soler.

Unfortunately, the school closed down. But that didn't keep Mara away from the water.  In fact, whenever her schedule permits, she goes soul surfing in Zambales, Siargao, La Union or Baler.

"I've experienced a lot of surfing spots in the States and all over the place but for me, the Philippines is still the best one," remarks Mara who was born in California.  She cites the tropical climate of the country as its best asset among other popular places for surfing.  "You don't need a wet suit when you surf in the Philippines because the water is warm unlike in other countries na kailangan mo talaga kasi mamatay ka sa lamig.  Kaya nga ang daming foreigners who travel to the Philippines only to surf."

Recently though, Mara noticed that the popular places are getting overcrowded that it's getting a little bit difficult for her to find the solace she yearns for.  "It has become a goal for me and my Dad every year to find a secret spot where it's only us and we have discovered a lot of isolated places."

One of the places that Mara and her Dad found was located in San Vicente, Palawan, the same place where "Survivor Philippines" was shot. "Her Dad is already planning to make it the next surfing spot.  He's already met with some of the officials there.  And though San Vicente  is not yet a very popular place in Palawan, there are talks that they will come up with an international airport so pretty soon it's gonna be the Boracay of the future," says Mom Isabel who decided to join the interview as Mara went scurrying away towards other castaways who were about to leave.  Isabel then proudly tells this writer, albeit proudly, how Mara began her soul surfing journey.

Proud Mama

"Mara's first TV appearance was when she was seven years old.  It was in the show 'Extra! Extra!' with Karen Davila and it was entitled 'Mga Anak ng Alon'.  She was the youngest Filipino surfer," says Isabel of her first born.  She has another child, a 14-year-old boy who according to her is a tad too shy to be in showbiz.

"Mara competed when she was 11 but she was under the ladies' category.  At that time kasi, walang category for children.  So noong lumaban siya, kalaban niya mga 18 to 25 years old.  And you know what?  Tinalo niya yung mga locals sa La Union.  Siya ang nag-champion!"

"I only competed once in my life after that hindi na naulit," says Mara as she joins the conversation again." It got harder to train because I live in the city.  Ang mga competitors, usually they live there.  And also, for me, surfing is not a competition.  It's something you do for yourself.  Kung gaano ka kagaling sa surfing hindi naman masusukat yun sa panalo.  For me, I'd rather surf in a relaxed way, alone.  Ayoko ng maraming tao.  Kami ng Dad ko, we surf together."

"Ayaw umuwi!  Kaya nga galit na galit ako diyan dahil laging maitim. E ako, ayokong naarawan," says Isabel.

Survivor mom and daugther 

Needless to say, surfing is a bonding moment between father and daughter. And though Isabel and Mara also have their own share of activities like shopping and intimate conversations, Mom Isabel would rather sit on her beach bench, under the comfortable shade of her beach umbrella with a fruit juice on one hand and a book on the other.  Which begs the question: How did the two end up in the challenging game of 'Survivor'?

"Mara cried and pleaded with me to accept the show with her.  It was so hard for me to do it primarily because I am so busy with so many film festivals.  I had a Toronto Film Fest, a Chicago Film Fest all in the month of October.  I also had a Tokyo Film Fest for the movie 'Halaw' tapos meron akong teleserye na inumpisahan sa kabila na nagsimula bago ko pa ginawa ang 'Survivor.'  Tapos meron akong independent film and a mainstream film with Star Cinema with Vilma Santos," says Isabel.

"So I told her it's really going to be difficult. We sat down, we took a pen and paper and we calculated everything and it was a big risk. I told her to get somebody else to be with her but she told me that it has to be a mother and daughter tandem because it's about relationships. And then she brought out her ATM and told me, "Mama, if it's only money [you can have my card] just don't take this away from me. Nag-drama!"

It was a struggle for Isabel, but she was finally won over by her maternal instincts.  "I realized I had to be instrumental in making her dreams come true.  Pangarap kasi ni Mara ito. And, kapag anak mo, you'll do anything and everything for your child."

In the end, Isabel's decision to support her daughter turned out to be something to be grateful for.  "After that, I was thankful because I was able to do things that I never thought I can do."

Mara, on the other hand, recalls her own reason why she pushed her mom to join her.  "Minsan hindi sumasama sa akin si Mommy kapag nagse-surf ako.  Kaya nakita ko yung 'Survivor' as an opportunity para maipakita ko sa kanya kung ano yung love ko at yung passion ko."

(Survivor Philippines airs on GMA-7 at 9 p.m. every Mondays thru Fridays.)