ALEX Gonzaga: “I don’t want Toni to get married yet.”
For Alex Gonzaga, being in the shadow of her elder sister Toni isn’t a big deal. And the issue of sibling rivalry is something she simply laughs off. In fact, the TV5 actress-host looks up to big sis as an inspiration to do better in the entertainment industry.
“Maganda ang career ng ate ko. At kung meron po akong gagayahin at iniidolo, of course it’s Toni,” Alex told the Inquirer and other reporters during a recent set visit for “Toink! Sino ang Tama?”—TV5’s newest Sunday afternoon game show, which also features basketball star Chris Tiu.
She added that the best thing about Toni is that she never fails to celebrate and share all her achievements with her. “Lagi niyang sine-share sa ’kin ’yung spotlight na nakukuha niya kapag meron siyang mga concert, etc.”
Alex started her show-biz career appearing in teen-oriented shows on ABS-CBN, before she moved to TV5. She considers Toni her best critic. She said that her older sister always gives her valuable advice on how she can improve her hosting and acting performances.
“I’m very thankful because despite her [Toni] busy schedule, she still manages to watch [my shows], and gives me comments and praises,” she said. “It helps me work on my weaknesses.”
However, Alex doesn’t want to be known as Toni’s little sister for the rest of her career. She wants to make a name for herself. When asked what her edge is over her sister, she said, laughing: “Siyempre mas bata tayo! Mas bagets ako sa kaniya!“
Meanwhile, in terms of projects, Alex said that she’s still in an experimental phase, where she tries and enjoys whatever offers come her way. She revealed that she wants to do more TV series “with a Korean drama vibe.”
“There are so many things I want to do. I’m also excited to do my first film with Viva, where I have a four-movie contract,” she said.
Apart from “Toink,” Alex also top bills the drama series “P.S. I Love You,” and is in the shows “Juicy Express,” “Hey It’s Saberday” and “Lokomoko U.”
Talking to the 24-year-old Kapatid star, it’s obvious that she shares a very close relationship with her sister. What does she feel over the prospect of Toni getting married to her longtime boyfriend Paul Soriano?
“I don’t want her to get married yet! I’m still enjoying all our bonding moments together—sleeping in her room, chatting until five 5 a.m., watching movies and eating out.”
Childhood dream
Aside from her career, Alex’s other priority is graduating college this March at the University of Asia and the Pacific, where she’s taking up Humanities, specializing in Education. She said that teaching has always been her childhood dream.
“I was very talkative and would always pretend to be a teacher. I used to pinch chalk from our classroom, and buy class records and make my own lesson plans! I did everything alone, but I enjoyed it very much,” she said.
Juggling both show biz and school is never easy. But despite the hectic schedule, Alex never once thought of giving up her studies. She will always be grateful to TV5 for giving her leeway in her commitments. “After show biz, gusto ko talagang magturo,” she said.
“Toink! Sino ang Tama?” airs Sundays at 2 p.m.