“Una, I don’t read social media anymore,” she says. “I survived two decades sa showbiz na walang social media at sumikat naman ako, so bakit pa ako sisiksik diyan? Wag na lang. I enjoy FB but I haven’t posted anything for months now. Hindi kasi ako sanay na binabastos ako, gusto kong sapakin, pero na kalmado na uli ako ngayon. About being kapalit lang ni Sarah, I don’t think that’s a fair statement. I don’t think kung sinu-sino lang si Sarah. She’s a great singer, performer, a good artist and I admire and love her. Hindi naman ako panakip-butas lang sa kanya. Naging coach na rin ako sa ‘Star Power’. I did ‘Biggest Loser’ and ‘Your Face Sounds Familiar’. I now consider it an honor to be part of ‘Voice Kids’. Wala akong insecurity sa katawan. As for Sarah, we should allow her to pursue the interests in her heart as well as her personal happiness.”
What about the joke of bashers that her seat might not turn or “make ikot” when she chooses the kids she wants to coach in ‘Voice Kids’, alluding to her weight? “Di pa kasi nila nakitang pumayat na ako. When I saw myself kasi on ASAP, I realized how I big I was and I told myself I can’t appear on TV looking this. Nag-diet ako, no more rice, less carbs, I exercised. I wasted so many years not doing this kasi nakaka-miss mag-shooting. I’m supposed to start shooting a new movie in August, pero di pa puede sabihin kung ano story and sino leading man ko.”
She’s the one who introduced Zsa Zsa Padilla to Conrad Onglao. What can she say now that they’ve called it quits? “They’re both my friend pero siempre, closer ako kay Zsa Zsa. Of course, I’m sad for a friend who’s going through some heartaches right now. Kapag ganun, let’s them mourn muna, don’t bother them. After a while na lang. Hindi rin naman kasi ako mapapel sa ganyan. Baka masyadong masakit ang pinagdadaanan niya, makikialam ka pa. But I just want to know I’m here if she needs me.” What can she say about daughter KC Concepcion’s new BF, Azkal athlete Aly Borromeo? “All her boyfriends naman, boto ako, but with Aly, super boto ako. He’s very decent and respectful, a good boy, so I like him very much.”
Doesn’t she see any rivalry between her and Broadway Diva Lea Salonga as co-coach in “Voice Kids”? This early, some folks are creating intrigues between them. “Lea and I have been friends forever. She has achieved so much abroad, more than any other Filipina and I have so much respect for her. So yung mga intriga, I know it’s part of the business pero hindi namin papatulan. It’s an honor to be working with her and Bamboo. I really feel so blessed to be part of ‘Voice Kids’ and I’m so excited ngayon pa lang to see the new talents who are going to appear in the show.”
She just signed a two-year contract with ABS-CBN. Would she like to do a teleserye with daughter KC? “I don’t know if that would be best for us. She’s now used to being so independent when it comes to projects and masyadong personal kapag pinagsama kami, lalo na kapag kaming tatlo ng papa niya. Parang OA na. Maybe we can do a musical show instead kasi I miss singing on TV. But marami pa akong gustong makatrabaho sa ABS when it comes to acting, like Coco Martin, Piolo Pascual, John Lloyd Cruz, Angel Locsin, Maja Salvador and Anne Curtis.”
