Ben Madilynn
Tatlong taon na palang naka-base sa Virginia, USA ang StarStruck 5 First Princess na si Diva Montelaba.
Photo/s: @imdivamontelaba on Instagram
Huling napanood si Diva sa teleserye na Prima Donnas noong 2022 bago siya lumipad patungong Amerika para maka-experience ng ibang buhay.
Kasalukuyang nagtatrabaho si Diva bilang office manager sa isang aesthetics clinic.
Sa naging panayam ng PEP.ph (Philippine Entertainment Portal) sa 33-year old Cebuana actress via Facebook Messenger noong nakaraang August 20, kinumusta namin ang buhay niya sa Amerika at kung may balak pa ba siyang balikan ang kanyang showbiz career.
DIVA SAYS QUITTING SHOWBIZ “BEST DECISION I’VE EVER MADE”
Isa sa naging dahilan ng pagpunta ni Diva sa Amerika ay ang makapag-explore at subukan ang ibang buhay na malayo sa showbiz.
“I initially came for a vacation but along the way, I realize that it’s time to explore the world more.
“I have been in showbiz for 14 years. I started when I was 16-years old and kinda grew out of it. I felt like the world is so huge not to go out there and explore. It’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
“I have some of my family here and friends as well. I can’t imagine being here alone. I’m lucky to have amazing people with me,” salaysay ni Diva.
Sa tatlong taong paninirahan ni Diva sa Amerika, nakapag-adjust na raw ito sa everyday routine niya sa trabaho.
DIVA MISSES SINGING, ENJOYS OCCASIONAL STINTS WITH PINOY PERFORMERS ABROAD
Pero inamin din ni Diva na paminsan-minsan ay nami-miss niyang mag-perform sa harap ng maraming tao. Mabuti na lang daw at naiimbitahan siyang mag-perform kasama ang ilang Pinoy celebrities.
“After being here for almost three years, I have adjusted pretty well. It was hard at first but it is pretty smooth now.
“I sometimes miss my craft. Definitely. And I’m glad that I still get to perform here which I extremely love to do. I sing and dance in concerts for our kababayans here and even other nationalities. It is the best feeling!
“I did concerts with people I worked with before when I was in the Philippines like Randy Santiago, Ai-Ai delas Alas, Nyoy Volante, Bryan Termulo, Parokya ni Edgar, my kuyas Jay-R, Kris Lawrence, Billy Crawford, Carol Banawa and international star Rob Schneider,” masaya niyang kuwento.
Photo/s: Courtesy of Diva Montelaba
DIVA WISHES SHE WAS GIVEN MORE CHALLENGING ACTING ROLES
Isa raw sa naging masayang parte ng buhay ni Diva ay noong maging contestant siya sa StarStruck 5 sa GMA noong 2009 kunsaan ka-batch niya sina Sarah Lahbati, Steven Silva, Rocco Nacino, Enzo Pineda, Sef Cadayona, Princess Snell (na naging Nathalie Hart), Ian Batherson at iba pa.
StarStruck 5 alumni (from left) Enzo Pineda, Diva Montelaba, Rocco Nacino, Sarah Lahbati, and Steven Silva
Kahit daw nabigyan ng sunud-sunod na projects si Diva, sana raw ay mas nabigyan pa siya ng mas mabibigat na roles noon.
“I wish they could have given me more chances to really showcase my craft.
“I stayed and waited for 14 years portraying supporting roles which I am not complaining, but I wish they trusted me more. That maybe is one thing I wish I got,” pahayag ni Diva na lumabas sa mga teleserye na Ina, Kasusuklaman Ba Kita; Time Of My Life; Ikaw Lang Ang Mamahalin; Kokak; Faithfully; Aso Ni San Roque; Temptation Of Wife; Pahiram Ng Sandali; Maghihintay Pa Rin; Adarna; Ang Dalawang Mrs. Real; Marimar; Second Chances; My Mother’s Secret; Beautiful Strangers; Sa Piling Ni Nanay; Haplos; The Cure at Beautiful Justice.
DIVA, DESPITE BEING PROUD PINOY AT HEART, PLANS TO START HER FAMILY IN THE U.S.
Kahit daw okey na ang buhay ni Diva sa ibang bansa, babalik at babalik pa rin daw siya sa Pilipinas.
“I miss home so much! I miss my family, friends and my supporters who until now are still amazingly supporting me in any way they can.”
Happy naman daw ang personal life ni Diva at may taong nagpapasaya sa kanya. Nakikita nga raw niya ang sarili na sa Amerika magkaroon ng pamilya.
“Seeing how life here in the US, I would love to raise my kids here. Of course, still instilling great Filipino culture.
“There are just so many opportunities/benefits here that we honestly don’t have in the Philippines. Nothing against my home Philippines, it’s just different.
“It’s a matter of what your priorities are. God put me here for a reason so I just want to explore it further.”
