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| chasro laude |
CHARO LAUDE is representing our country in the Mrs. Universe Pageant to be held in Guangdong. China from December 22 to January 1. She is the replacement of Patricia Javier who chose to join Noble Queen of the Universe Pageant to be held at the Manila Hotel on December 1. Didn’t she mind being just a replacement?
“Not at all,” she says. “I earlier won as Mrs. Universe Asia so when Patricia cannot make it, I felt so honored to be chosen by the pageant organizers to represent our country in China. I will bring my three kids and my mom with me para mapanood nila ako when I compete with about 80 other candidates from all over the world.”
This is a dream come true for her. She was a Masscom student at CEU in the late 80s when Wowie Roxas discovered her and made her join “That’s Entertainment”. “I was part of the Monday group. I also did supporting roles in some movies. Then pinag-join nila ako ng Bb. Pilipinas sa batch ni Tisha Silang.
"Masyadong baguhan pa ako noon, so I didn’t get anything. The plan was for me to join naman the Mutya ng Pilipinas later. But before I got to join it, nag-asawa na ako, so diyan naputol ang career ko sa showbiz at my ambitions to be a beauty queen. Kaya itong, pag-join ko sa Mrs Universe, dream come true ito for me.”
She’s been separated from her husband, a non-showbiz Chinese businessman, for six years now. “I’m a single mom with three kids: Inah, who’s 18, then Izah who’s 16 and 3rd runnerup sa Miss Teen Philippines, and Kevin, 14. I raise them with my own businesses. I have a nail spa, lechon store from Batangas and a milk tea shop.”
She also made a showbiz comeback. “I now play one of the mean moms in ‘Kadenang Ginto’ and I’m also in the movie ‘Jolly Spirit Squad’ na kasama ko si Joaquin Domagoso, with whom I collaborate for our various advocacies to help the poor.”
Her other advocacy is the to assist abused women and children. “Naging experience ko kasi yan myself. Ang inakala kong fairy tale marriage ko, hindi pala. But this sad experience helped in making me stronger. I realized the end of my marriage is not the end of everything for my life and I learned how to stand on my own two feet. Awa naman ng Diyos, naitaguyod ko ang sarili ko at ang mga anak ko. Hands ako as a mom and my foremost advice to them is: listen to your mother. Kasi ako, hindi ako nakinig sa mama ko.”
How do her children feel about her going back into acting and joining an international beauty pageant? “They’re very supportive. Excited sila for me and they cheer me on. Lahat kami, excited to be in China during the holiday season. Doon na kami magpa-Pasko while I’m competing and I promiswill do my best to bring home the crown.”