Nearly half a year ago, we talked to a despondent Ara Mina, who at that time spiraled down to depression brought about by the heartaches of a failed relationship with Jomari Yllana.
A few days back, we caught up with Ara - or more appropriately, a new Ara. Over lunch at Café Lupe, Ara seemed to have shaken the rubbles off her shoulder and is quite far from the heart-wrenched girl who couldn’t help but wear her crying heart on her sleeve when asked to talk about what happened to her and Jomari.
After surviving the most challenging phase of her love life, Ara moves on.
"It’s been six months so yes, I think I can say that I’m better now than I was the last time we talked. I can vividly remember how I was that time and after all that was said and done, and cliché as it may sound, I have come out a better person after that chapter in my life," shared Ara.
The ‘new life’ she’s leading is filled with night–outs, something she just wasn’t able to do when she was with Jomari. "Nakakapanibago yung wala ka nang pinagpapaalaman at nakakalabas na ako," she observed. "I was a homebody, come to think of it, I still am. I guess this is that phase in my life that I’m taking everything in stride. I go out on dates and with my friends and kind of became my therapy."
Free from her "Mulawin" schedules, Ara shifts focus on her career as a performer. Her next project is Golden Earth Productions’ "Soul Sisters Act" with Jessa Zaragosa and Marissa Sanchez.
To be staged at the Metro Bar, West Ave., QC (June 2 and 3) and Café Lupe (May 20), "Sisters Soul Act" features the friendship and stage raport of Ara, Jessa (who’s been a friend of hers since way back) and Marissa (whom she worked with in "Mulawin"). According to Ara, rehearsing for the show isn’t like work anymore because of the company she enjoys. Not only are they the ones having fun with their friendship, during the presscon, those around the three can’t help but laugh over Marissa’s punchlines.
"Hoy! Magpapangit naman kayong dalawa para lumevel naman ako ng konti sa inyo!" Marissa told Ara and Jessa. "Pero seriously, very honored… very honored sila na kasama nila ako," Marissa added.
Ara admitted that without friends like Jessa and Marissa, she couldn’t have moved on right away. "Buti na lang talaga suwerte ako sa mga kaibigan. Kahit konti lang yan, totoo lahat." Both Jessa and Marissa are Born Again Christians, "We’re still convincing Ara to join our Church and she attends naman our Bible studies," Jessa said.
Aside from the new concert series, Ara is looking into a possible US concert tour with Troy Montero and a new album. "Gusto ko ‘Moving On’ ang title ng bagong album ko (the previous albums are ‘Ara Mina’ and ‘Heavenly’) tapos i-revive ko yung ‘Paalam Na.’ Yun nga lang pag hindi ko naasikaso baka magroon na’ko ng bagong love life!"
In this interview Ara updates her followers on the real score of her date life and the lessons learned from mistakes of the past:
When did you realize there’s no point in holding on?
When pain was all that’s there.
Can you say now that Jomari is a closed chapter?
Yes, I really believe so. Natutunan ko na ang lahat ng dapat kong matutunan sa mga nangyari.
This means no reconciliation even when you’ve healed completely...
Wala na. I still wish him well but I know better now.
What are these things you know better now?
That I’ll be more careful. The next time I fall in love, ayoko na ng may sabit kasi, yung talagang binata na walang anak and most of all alam ang gusto sa buhay.
You think that’s Jomari’s weakest spot (not knowing what he wants)?
Yes. And I wish for that time in his life that he’ll know what he wants in life and how he wants to live it.
How do you feel now when you see Jomari on TV with Ms. Denmark who is being linked to him now?
I wish them both the best. Jomari and I had fun times together and I knew he loved me as much as I did. I think it’s natural for me to wish him the best because in fairness to him, he’s been into two failed relationships—his marriage and what happened between us. I’ll say it again I think it’ll help him a lot if he knows what he wants in life.
What about you? What do you want now?
I’ve always had my work to pull me through the tough times. Right now I’m not focused on finding a new boyfriend. I’m just enjoying my time as a single, unattached person. I usually go out in group dates.
How long do you plan to stay unattached?
You know what, I’m enjoying my life right now but I know that I don’t want this to go on forever. Sooner or later, I would want to meet someone and hope that he’s the right guy.
Does this mean that you’re really not going out seriously with anybody? How about the rumors that you’re dating a cager?
Friendly dates lang talaga though I’m keeping my options open. Something that keeps me busy though is my modeling agency business.
What hooked you to venture into modeling?
Gusto kong bigyan ng chance ang mga kapatid ko na interested din sa modeling and at the same time give breaks to young people who may have dreams of making it in commercials. Another factor why I chose modeling is because I know that commercials are going stay there forever.
How does the business work?
We do VTRs for them. I don’t tie a model to exclusivity unless I’ve secured for him or her a project already. I have some staff now and we plan to add more people. I’m still planning to hold a formal launching for the business.
You seem to very comfortable with Marissa and Jessa, of course, we’ll see this in your concert?
Yes, they’ve both been close to me: Marissa is my co–star in "Mulawin" while Jessa naman has always been a friend I can tell all my secrets to. I can tell her things I don’t usually reveal to my other friends. In fact, she’s heard every heartache and problem namin ni Jomari before.
What advises did she tell you then?
She knew better. The moment I began telling Jessa problems about our relationship, sinabi niya agad na I should get out of the relationship. Of course, I didn’t listen. I should have.
How much has changed since the last time we talked?
You’re now talking to a brand new Ara.
