Sarah says there are no short cuts to growing up

SARAH Geronimo pleads with reporters not to ask about rumored beau.

“They are here to guide me. They’re just concerned about me,” said singer-actress Sarah Geronimo of her parents, who were reportedly against her rumored romance with actor Matteo Guidicelli.

“They remind me that there’s a right time for everything, that I should not rush into things,” said Sarah during a media gathering for her latest romantic comedy film, “Maybe This Time,” opposite Coco Martin. “They’re here to point out to me the things they think I’ve done right or wrong, but they are also aware that I’m already of age. They support me in whatever decisions I make for myself.”

In March, Sarah, 25, was rumored to have thrown a tantrum by cutting her hair only days before the launch of her new shampoo commercial. Matteo, 24, was reportedly the cause of Sarah’s latest rift with her parents, who wanted her to cut ties with the Italian-Filipino actor so as not to compromise her team-up with Coco.

At the press conference, Sarah pleaded with writers not to ask about Matteo. She  confessed to being “very careful” when it came to falling in love. She explained: “Along the way you meet people whom you find interesting, who may have good intentions—that can’t be avoided. What is important is that you also know how to take care of yourself, and you do not rely on another person to feel happy and complete.”

Choosing happiness

Asked whether or not she was currently at her happiest, Sarah replied: “Happiness is a choice. Mayroon akong pinagdaraanan, which I think is normal. I still want to accomplish a lot of things in my life.”

Sarah said her personal experiences have greatly helped her in playing the role of Stephanie Asuncion in “Maybe This Time.” She told the Inquirer: “I am able to relate to her—I was also naïve when I was 19… Experiences help you grow; there are no short cuts. You have to go through all that stuff in order to mature, to broaden your perspectives.”

Directed by Jerry Sineneng, “Maybe This Time” tells the story of Steph and Tonio Bugayong (Coco), lovers forced to lead different lives. Seven years later, they meet again with Stephanie working for Tonio’s girlfriend Monica (Ruffa Gutierrez). The situation forces them to either seek closure or rediscover their feelings for each other.

More serious

Sarah and Coco first worked together in the ABS-CBN musical romance-comedy series, “1dol” in 2010. She observed that Coco has changed considerably since. “He is more serious about work, very focused, very professional… He has come a long way, but he remains humble and simple.”

“Maybe This Time,” written by Anton Santamaria and Melai Monge, also features Shamaine Buencamino, Dennis Padilla, Boboy Garovillo, Ogie Diaz, Mariann Flores, Zeppi Borromeo, Garlic Garcia and Minnie Aguilar.

It opens in theaters nationwide on May 28.