"In Her Time" (By Elaine Carag, MYX Magazine, April-May 2009 issue):
Magazine cover banner: Sarah rocks! Looks like it's Sarah Geronimo's year as she bags six MYX Music Awards and steals our hearts in "You Changed My Life."
Pop Princess and box-office queen Sarah Geronimo is reaping what she sowed long ago. Who she has now become isn't much different from the old Sarah, it's just that now she's finally getting what she deserves.
On a normal Sunday, clad in designer digs and high heels, you'll see her hustling back and forth from the ASAP studio to her dressing room for quick touch-ups, costume changes or five-minute breaks between gaps. During these not-so-lull moments, show would always be--iPod in hand, deep in concentration--belting out tunes as she practices for her next performance on the show. In photo shoots, while having her makeup done or changing outfits, she would be listening to her iPod, occasionally breaking out into a song or two much to the entertainment of the people around. Sarah Geronimo may appear quiet and reserved off the set thanks to her discipline and dedication, but everybody knows what a powerhouse she is onstage.
Last year was a time of breaking barriers for Sarah as she managed to secure her iconic status not only in the music scene but also in the film industry. With a new album, a massively attended concert, a box-office hit, several covers in notable glossies and numerous awards under her belt, Sarah's career has shifted into high gear and hasn't shown any signs of slowing down. (As of this writing, Sarah would be globetrotting--from Guam to San Diego--with Mark Bautista, Billy Crawford and Chalie Green on the two-month long overseas tour of "The Next One"!)
From "Star for a Night" big winner to ASAP regular, then "Sarah: The Teen Princess" lead actress, up to her starring role on the big screen in "A Very Special Love" and "You Changed My Life" and her numerous endorsements and commercials, one can say that today, Sarah has definitely made it.
Best of both worlds
After the success of her movie with John Lloyd Cruz, "A Very Special Love," Star Cinema quickly responded to the rave reviews and filmed a follow-up, "You Changed My Life." "Masaya ako na nakatapos na naman kami ng isa pang chapter sa mga buhay namin bilang mga artista. Sa akin, malaking achievement makagawa ng isang bagay out of hard work and dedication," Sarah says. Of course, there were only high hopes for the movie as it went into production. Everyone felt the pressure for it to satisfy, even surpass, the expectations of those who witnessed the Miggy-Laida love story from the start.
With the pressure that "A Very Special Love" has set, Sarah has taken it upon herself to play her happy-go-lucky and naive Laida Magtalas better in the anticipated follow-up. On her part, though, she felt it was easy to internalize because of her similarities with her character. "Yung pagiging jolly, gullible at all-out magmahal ni Laida, ganun din ako."
When asked about her co-stars, John Lloyd Cruz and Rayver Cruz, Sarah has only nice words for both. "Maayos siyang katrabaho, at masaya ako nakatrabaho siya ulit. He's sweet, a real gentleman. He's a good and talented actor," she begins about her leading man. "Kay Rayver naman, sa tingin ko ang tagal na niyang natago. Para sa akin, ito na yun for him. Nakikilala na yung capacities niya," Sarah adds. "Nakakatuwa na nabigyan na siya ng pagkakataon na mag-appear sa pelikula ng Star Cinema. Bilang isang singer, I'm hoping na mahasa rin siya. Ang tagal rin natago nun. I'm really honored na naging bahagi ako ng experience niya na to."
Sarah recounts shooting the ending as one of her most memorable moments, sharing the mix of emotions she felt during that time. "Yung saya, yung lungkot, at yung pressure!" she exclaims, becoming wide-eyed. Parang lahat ng tao sinasabi 'Part 2 na, kailangan may kissing scene na!' kasi nga wala nung una." Sarah, though, is proud of the fact that even with the lack of such intimate scenes, the movie managed to still entertain the audiences--which to her, goes to show that they did something right. "Masaya na ako na alam kong imbis na foreign movies ang pinanood ng tao, pumunta sila sa sine para panoorin kami. Malaking bagay yun."
Not surprisingly, Sarah contributed to both her movies by singing the title songs. "Singing pa rin talaga ang passion ko. Innate na yun sa akin, part na ng sistema ko kumbaga," she explains succinctly when asked if she prefers acting to signing. Of course, you'd have to remember that before her box-office successes, Sarah released her fifth studio album titled "Just Me" where a track features former Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough. The single "I'll Be There," was a collaboration she deemed a learning experience, especially working with Howie D. They only promoted the single for a short time, when Howie flew over to the Philippines for a few performances with Sarah. "Natutunan ko sa kanya yung value ng pagiging humble. He's very warm and friendly, hindi siya intimidating," Sarah recalls.
Fast forward a few months later, the pop princess finds herself with two movies to her name and then six trophies from the MYX Music Awards 2009 as proof of her growing star status. "Sobra talaga akong natuwa. Siyempre thankful. Pero sinasabi ko na nga na nahihiya na ako, kasi pabalik-palik ako dun." Pokwang, the presenter of one of the awards Sarah won, even joked in her speil saying, "Sana dinala mo na yung trophy case mo!" To this, she gives the movie as well as her fans due credit for being a big part of her wins. "Hindi pala madali mag-accept ng award!" she laughs. "Yung suporta talaga ng Popsters (a collective name of her fans), sobra-sobra," she gushes, continuing to relate how she feels so blessed to have such generous supporters. Sarah emphasizes, though, that she is most grateful to the Lord for all the blessings she has been receiving. "Lahat talaga dapat ino-offer up sa Kanya." And close on the list is her family and Viva big boss, Boss Vic.
Shining on
It hasn't been an easy road for Sarah, but it is enough that the world now recognizes her talent. Sarah is the perfect example of what discipline, patience and prayers can do. She's had her share of detractors in the past, to whom she only offers her gratitude for giving her criticism. "Take criticisms constructively. Ang dami kong pinagdaanan na ganyan, sobra," she shares. "And aminado naman ako, tao lang naman akong nagkakamali. Ang importante lang, yung strength na bumangon at mag strive harder to be better." On the other hand, she also thanks those who praise her, yet still maintains that she doesn't let it go to her head. "Nagpapasalamat ako. Pero ang ginagawa ko talaga madalas, pasok sa isang tenga tapos lalabas sa kabila." Today, she counts being loved by the people around her as the best thing about her life, which poses no wonder why she has always been in people's good graces.
Sarah's isn't an overnight success story, which makes you all the more appreciate all the things she has invested in such a fickle industry. You also know where her wisdom is coming from. "Wait patiently for your time lang talaga, for your moment," she advises. "Kapag pinairal mo kasi yung gusto mo, maiinip ka, or sasama yung loob mo kapag hindi ikaw, ikaw lang din yung talo."
It's comforting to know that some things never change--from her quiet manner and pleasing presence, Sarah is still the breath of fresh air she has always been to many people. One of her handlers even agrees that because Sarah has always been nothing but nice to others, she is getting only what she deserves--her time beyond the 15 minutes of fame most only dream of, and even more.
Sarah's Take On...
Finishing School: "After ng movie ['You Changed My Life;], nag-ca-catch up ako with the requirements I missed. Before I leave [for the tour], may exam pa ako. Mahirap, pero kailangang magtapos, eh."
Collaborations: "Hanggang ngayon, pinapangarap ko pa rin makatrabaho si Michael Jackson. Ha Ha!"
2
Scully, on Apr 23 2009, 09:10 AM, said:
GODBLESS 
