ARA Mina turned 40 last May 9 and she’s happy to continue working as an actress on both the big and the small screen. She currently stars as the wife of John Estrada in “The Last Interview: The Mayor Antonio Halili” story. As John’s wife, she also plays the mother of Phoebe Walker, who plays Sweet, the daughter of the late mayor who has just been elected as the new mayor of Tanauan after her dad was assassinated last year. Doesn’t Ara mind playing mother roles now when she used to be so in demand as a sexy actress?
“Not at all, kasi mother na naman talaga ako,” she says. “Si Phoebe also played my stepdaughter in ‘Araw Gabi’ sa ABS-CBN before. Ang importante, I’m still working at may kumukuha pa rin sa akin. At tapos na rin ‘yung pagpapa-sexy ko kasi may anak na nga ako.”
So how is it working with John Estrada? “This is our second movie together. Kami rin ang magkapareha sa movie ni Direk Arlyn de la Cruz na ‘Imaculada: Pag-ibig ng Isang Ina’ at mag-asawa rin ang role namin doon. Okay katrabaho si John kasi very professional. Magka-vibes kami kaya walang naging problema at all. We have a great, perfect working relationship.”
How is it portraying a real life character, Mrs. Gina Halili, the wife of the late mayor? “Doon kami mismo nag-shoot ng movie sa bahay nila sa Tanauan at sobra siyang maasikaso. She has short hair kaya ginaya ko ‘yun. Sobrang mahinhin din siya. I really sympathized with her sa nangyari sa husband niya.”
How is it being a single mom raising her daughter Mandy by hersef? “I’m okay, I’m happy. Hindi ko ipagpapalit ang motherhood ko for anything. When I wake up in the morning and she tells me, Nana, I love you, buo na ang araw ko. At hindi naman talaga ako single parent kasi co-parenting kami ng dad niya sa kanya (Patrick Meneses). Kapag may activities siya sa school, magkasama kaming naga-attend na dalawa. Our daughter is very smart and she understands that me and her dad live in separate homes, but we’re the best of friends pagdating sa welfare niya.”
So she’s not looking for another relationship now? “Not really, I don’t have a feeling of emptiness at all because of my daughter, who’s my treasure. At gusto ko, the next time I get into a serious relationship, for good na talaga, ‘yung siya na talaga ang magiging partner ko for the rest of my life.”
