Julie Anne San Jose (right) with Jonathan San Jose
Julie Anne San Jose wouldn’t have pursued a career in music and show biz if she had listened to and obeyed her father. The singer-songwriter and actress recalled how her father initially did not approve of her plans because he thought it would entail dropping out of school.
“When I was 12, I told him I was planning to enter a contest. He said no, but I still pursued it,” Julie Anne said. “He had no idea and only found out after I passed the screening and went through with it.”
To placate her father who was disappointed that she had gone against his wishes, she promised she would continue her studies and get high marks as well.
“This served as my motivation to finish school and work at the same time. Even if it was not easy as I had to sacrifice a lot of things, it was worth it.”
Julie Anne’s hard work paid off after she graduated from University of Santo Tomas Angelicum College with a bachelor’s degree in communication arts. She posted her graduation photo on her socials where she mentioned how she “juggled work and studies yet managed to survive.”
“It felt good because graduating was also a gift to my parents in gratitude for all they have done for me.”
Now, her father is the one who takes me to and fetches me from work. “He is very patient and supportive and I can say that he’s proud of me. After all, he’s my Dad and I’m still his daughter,” Julie Anne said.
If and when she decides to start her own family, she said she would teach her kids what her father taught her: humility, kindness and passion. “You should never lose that passion because when you’re passionate about something, you choose to love and you choose to own it.”
Hannah Arguelles (right) with Ricardo Sespeñe Jr.
‘Invest in yourself’
Hannah Arguelles is a Sparkle talent who has always wanted to be an actress. She appeared in the GMA series “Hearts on Ice.” Hannah’s relationship with her father is mild in the sense that she was seldom chastised growing up.
“Although there was one instance when I was in grade school and I told a story about a classmate who annoyed me. My Dad just told me to be more patient and to try to see things from the other person’s perspective,” Hannah recalled.
When she has her own family, she said she would teach her offspring to invest in themselves. “That’s what my Dad taught me: invest in yourself whether it be by getting a better education, honing your talents or even just taking care of yourself.”
Kate Valdez (right) with Edmond Sisante —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS
Learned from errors
Actress and model Kate Valdez must have been a really obedient child growing up. “In all honesty, I’ve never been reprimanded. My sister and I never experienced getting spanked or shouted at, but I’m aware how some Asian parents use their slipper or even a clothes hanger to spank their kids. My Dad is the most even-tempered and chill person I know, which I deeply appreciate,” Kate said.
He would make her realize her mistakes without having to resort to spanking or screaming. “I learned from my errors instead of being afraid because I made a mistake,” she said.
What lesson from her father does she intend to teach her kids when the time comes?
“My Dad always says, ‘Anak, kapag hinayaan mong ‘yung problema dalhin ka, walang mangyayari, maii-stress ka lang. So hayaan mo ‘yung problema ang mamroblema sa’yo.’ It makes sense! I didn’t understand it at first, but now that I’m an adult with responsibilities, I get it,” Kate said.