Bea Alonzo
While she no longer obsesses over what other people think of her, it would still be hypocritical of her, Bea Alonzo said, if she said online bashing doesn’t hurt her.
“I don’t want to be a hypocrite. Sometimes, I get hurt. Because I’m only human. Sometimes, they just see a face or hear a name. But they don’t realize that it’s an actual person they’re throwing hurtful words at… a person who has emotions and gets hurt,” she said at her recent solo press conference for “Start-Up PH”.
And when the vitriol does get into her, Bea doesn’t try to fight the pain; she allows herself to feel it. “Whenever that happens, I let myself get hurt. You can’t just shake it off. You have your own process [on how to deal with it],” she said.
Criticisms
There are valid, constructive criticisms. The rest is just noise. And through the years Bea has learned to discern one from the other. “I try to focus on the criticisms that I know will help me, because there is noise that you don’t really need in your life. And those could only do you harm. You don’t want to welcome that kind of energy,” she said. The 34-year-old actress also welcomes feedback from people who have her best interests.
“I’m fine with criticisms that come from people who I know genuinely care about me, like my fans. They’re comfortable telling me if there’s something they don’t like about the projects I do or the career decisions I make. And they say it in the most loving way because they love [me],” she pointed out.
She’s not perfect after all. “I have made many mistakes. There are many things I’m not good at. But that’s OK,” she said. “But I always try to protect my energy,” she said.
Bea knows that news about her participation in the GMA 7 adaptation of the South Korean series “Start-Up” was initially met with skepticism. “But that’s understandable,” she said. “The original Korean title has many fans, myself included. And it’s only natural for them to feel that no one else could play the characters they love, because the actors were so good,” she said.
Bea Alonzo
The Kapuso star took it as a challenge. “I’m still grateful because it compelled me to think about how I can give the character a different flavor. And I’m happy it resonated with the Philippine audience. Our efforts are appreciated. The different twists that we gave the characters are recognized in a positive way,” she said.
It’s said that art imitates life, Bea said. And “Start-Up PH” is a fitting show to start her journey as a GMA 7 artist. “I’m starting a new chapter in my life here. Dani is out there to reach her dreams and to prove that she’s capable. She has lots of goals. In that regard I can relate to her. I love her fighting spirit,” she said.
Living in the moment
It has been a year since her transfer. And she can safely say that — with the help of her costars like Alden Richards and Yasmien Kurdi — she finally feels more settled in her new home network.
Bea is turning 35 on Oct. 17. But she has no plans for big celebrations. “Walang pasabog,” she quipped. After all her hard work in the past couple of months, all she really wants to have is some quiet time for herself.
“Matutulog ako. I have been very busy these days. And I’m not complaining—I feel very, very blessed. But with everything that has been happening I feel like it would be nice to take a pause. On my birthday I just want to read books, watch series and films I love,” said Bea, who plans to fly to her family to Spain soon.
“My mom and family will be there with me. We will be taking care of my apartment there,” she said. “Wellness is a priority. We need to take care of our well-being. And I’m thankful to GMA who is considerate when it comes to these things.”
And when she returns, a new soap awaits. She’s also set to do movies. But she can’t go into detail just yet.
What’s her birthday wish? “Positivity,” she said, laughing. “I have nothing more to wish for, because so many good things have already happened in my life. I just hope they continue. And I hope to deliver what people expect from me.”
Bea admitted that she has a tendency to take things too seriously. But now she tries her best to let go and just live in the moment. “When I was younger I felt like I always had something to prove. I always thought I wasn’t good enough. I always felt I was rushing,” she said.
“But in this new chapter of newfound opportunities, I gained more confidence,” Bea added. “I know that life can be fleeting — as what the pandemic taught us. So I just want to enjoy the moment… and be kind to myself. We don’t know what will happen next.”
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