Carla Abellana
That’s such a big question, a loaded question.”
Carla Abellana’s past year has been rife with challenges. Just a few months after tying the knot with Tom Rodriguez last October, the former couple—who had been in a 7-year-relationship—called it quits. And Carla didn’t quite know where to start when asked how the recent events in her life had affected her.
“Marami akong pwedeng isagot dyan. My goodness, it may take us until tomorrow if we take a look at them one by one,” Carla said at her recent launch as the first Filipino celebrity endorser of the beauty and wellness line Collagen by Watsons.
Without going into detail, the actress pointed out that life is a series of “ups and downs.”
“We all have our own problems, personal issues or struggles. That’s just part of life. Not a year goes by where we don’t undergo difficulties. It doesn’t matter whether you’re at the top or at your best—challenges, problems and anything unexpected can still make their way into your life,” she said.
“We celebrities have pressures and stresses we deal with that people may know or not know about,” the 36-year-old Kapuso star added.
“And perhaps this is God’s will,” she said, “not to punish or trod us, but to make us stronger.”
“Hindi ‘yan para tapak-tapakan ka … It may be seen as a test in a way and it’s up to you how to overcome or manage these things. The problems you have may not necessarily be there for you to figure out and fix—you may just have to experience them,” she said. “Your strength and faith in God will be tested.”
It’s also in these moments, Carla said, where you figure out which people around you have your best interests. “You will see the people who can help or the people who are there for you. There are a lot of factors that can contribute toward your healing and help you get back up again,” she said. “You’re not in it alone.”
Aside from the love and support of her family and loved ones, Carla sought comfort in new hobbies she picked up amid the pandemic. “I learned soap- and candle-making early on in the pandemic. I really enjoy it. It feels good to have another hobby, or a new creative activity and outlet,” she said. “I find it very therapeutic.”
New product endorser
As the new addition to Watsons’ lineup of endorsers, Carla will be the face of the Collagen Booster Essence, a skin-rejuvenating product formulated in the United States and manufactured in South Korea.
“I used to have bad habits, like picking my face and pimples. And as a celebrity, we work long hours and put on a ton of makeup— which, along with aging—take a toll on my skin,” she related, adding that taking care of one’s skin isn’t necessarily a superficial practice. “When you work and take care of yourself, you also feel good.”
Despite the rough patch she went through, or may still be going through, there are still blessings to be thankful for, she said. Aside from new product endorsements, guest appearances on television continue, and a new drama series will be on her plate next year. “It feels good that blessings continue to come in. I’m also taking more time to spend with my family and take care of myself.”
Carla is also busy overseeing the construction of her new home in her dream village.
“In 2018, I was able to buy a lot in a village I had been eyeing … Construction started last March. Progress has been fast. I hope I can move in a year,” said Carla, who admitted that building a house is exciting and scary at the same time. “Expenses are crazy— from the materials to the equipment. But thankfully, kinakaya naman.”
Carla hasn’t made a lot of public appearances or engagements since the breakup, but she’s happy to see that a sense of normalcy is back in the biz. “Nakakapanibago na ganito na ulit. There are so many people, events …,” she said. “But I’m happy to be here.”