Paying it forward: Anne Curtis looks back on scholar’s journey

Image: Instagram/@annecurtissmith

Anne Curtis’ career has been filled with many blessings and she pays this forward by helping other people make their dreams come true.

Curtis guested on “Magandang Buhay” on Aug. 19, two days before the initial release of her erotic romantic drama film “Just a Stranger” with Marco Gumabao. During her interview, Curtis was asked about her passion project “Dream Machine” by hosts Karla Estrada, Melai Cantiveros and Jolina Magdangal.

“Ang dami ko nang dreams na natupad so naisip ko (I’ve had many dreams fulfilled so I thought) how do I pay it forward?” said Curtis. “And dun ko naisip (that’s when I realized) I want to make other people’s dreams come true, whether they be big or small, gusto kong makatulong kahit papaano (I want to be able to help).”

Curtis was joined by one of her scholars, Sareena Calonzo, who is deaf-mute. It will be remembered that Calonzo graduated from Miriam College in May 2018 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Entrepreneurship, much to the pride and joy of Curtis. Today, she works as a customer service representative.

The two looked back on their history, with Calonzo sharing that she had written a letter to Curtis if she could be one of her scholars.

“So she asked the coordinator of the deaf students in her school kung pwede ba siya (if she could) mag-send ng scholarship letter for Ms. Anne. Kasi mahal din daw yung fee for the interpreter so gusto niya din maging scholar talaga para makatulong din sa parents niya,” Regina Marcelo, an interpreter, said.

(The fee for the interpreter is also expensive, so she wanted to be a scholar so she could help her parents.)

“After a few weeks nagulat daw siya. She was very happy, kasi nalaman niya na willing nga si Ms. Anne na tulungan siya and she can’t believe it talaga,” added Marcelo.

(She was surprised after a few weeks. She was very happy upon knowing that Ms. Anne was willing to help her.)

Calonzo had been following Curtis’ shows even years before she applied to be one of her scholars. It was in watching Curtis’ 2005 soap opera, “Kampanerang Kuba,” that she started to idolize the actress.

Curtis, on the other hand, is nothing short of proud of her scholar. She also knows full well that Calonzo would go on to inspire others.

“And now, graduate na siya and she has a job, so nakaka-happy nakaka-proud… She’s very willing and even her mom makikita mo (you can see) they really want to help her to succeed in life,” said Curtis.

“And I want also malaman din ng mga tao (for people to know) what [is] this ability that you have to make your dreams come true, na meron ka talagang makikilala na makakatulong sa’yo (that you will really meet people who will be able to help you),” added Curtis. “Pero ikaw, like si Sareena, alam ko magiging inspirasyon din siya sa iba (but you, Sareena, I know you will be an inspiration to others).”  Cody Cepeda /ra

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