After eight long years, actress Carmina Villaroel has found herself exchanging smiles with familiar faces as she walks in the hallways of her old home, ABS-CBN. Having started as early as seven years old as Richard Gomez’s tomboyish younger sister, Cathy, in Palibhasa Lalake, Carmina has come a long way from being an innocent actress to being an all-around performer.
Carmina is one of the few actresses who has enough versatility and vigor to stay afloat in the ever-changing demands of the showbiz industry. When she decided to transfer to GMA in 2003, Carmina widened her horizons by tapping other skills such as hosting and modeling. She hosted several talk shows like Sis, which she co-hosted with Janice and Gelli de Belen, and Love Ni Mister, Love ni Misis, where she co-hosted with her partner of seven years, actor Zoren Legaspi. She also modeled for top photographers and major brands, making her one of the most visible and in-demand actresses both on print and on-screen. Apart from all her achievements, the Carmina essentially emerged as a full grown woman who not only became a loving partner Zoren, but more important, a mother to two adorable twins: Cassandra and Maverick.
Last Jan. 16, Carmina decided it’s time to retrace her footsteps and finally come home. She met with Ms. Cory Vidanes, ABS-CBN’s channel head, and Ms. Linggit Tan, ABS-CBN’s entertainment head, to formally sign a two-year contract with the Kapamilya network.
For Zoren who Is now a talent of TV5, Carmina’s transfer to ABS-CBN is the actress’ way of growing even more as an artist. Having experienced working and living with Carmina at the same time during their Love Ni Mister, Love Ni Misis days, Zoren said in an interview with Yahoo! Southeast Asia last Jan. 17 that they both realized their need to grow apart professionally. The actor, however, clarified that their decision to move to different networks was a matter of moving out of their comfort zones and not finding ways to be away from each other.
During her contract signing with ABS-CBN, Carmina also chanced upon meeting 
former co-host and now also a Kapamilya, Janice de Belen during the event. Elated for the new things that are in store for her and her friend, Carmina could not help but show her excitement and even jested that she and Janice were “so back.”
Asked about how she felt about returning to ABS-CBN, Carmina said in a report from push.com.ph last Jan. 16 that she’s “really happy” to be back to where she came from. The actress also felt nostalgic when she was finally in ABS-CBN.
“Eight years (din akong nawala). Matagal din kaya parang naninibago, at the same time andaming memories, andaming nag-flashback, nung Palibhasa Lalaki days, Abangan Ang Susunod na Kabanata, Okat Tokat, andyan na lahat. Ang sarap lang ng feeling na lahat sila wini-welcome ako. Pamilyang-pamilya talaga. ‘Yun ang sinasabi ko it’s such a nice feeling na makabalik ako dito,”
Believing that there’s a reason for everything that happens in her life, Carmina said she found it “timely” to return to her roots. Having left ABS-CBN then with the station’s blessing was one of the reasons why the actress did not find it hard to come back. She described the feeling as being a kid who had to go explore for a while then being welcomed at home anytime she wished.
Intrigues like Carmina being swayed to return to ABS-CBN because of a big offer was clarified by Carmina’s manager, Dolor Guevarra, who said in a report from Yahoo! Southeast Asia last Jan. 17 that money did not become an issue with Carmina’s transfer. The manager said that her talent wanted not only to return to her home station, but also to come back to heavy acting as well. Guevarra also added that Carmina was happy that her requests were all granted by ABS-CBN.
Speaking of concentrating on acting, Carmina said she wants to work with Kim Chui.
“Kasi maraming nagsasabi sa akin na magkahawig daw kami, e,” she explained.
While she considers doing teleserye and going back to serious acting, Carmina is not ready to let go of hosting just yet. In the Kapamilya network, she is also slated to do another talk show with Janice. She also said that she is willing—excited even, to do a reunion with her Palibahasa Lalake co-stars like Richard Gomez and Joey Marquez who also recently found their way home to ABS-CBN.
(www.asianjournal.com)
(OCIE Jan 20-26, 2012 RedCarpet pg.2)
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