Asian Journal- The Filipino-American Community Newspaper

I’VE watched her a dozen or so times on television and films while I was still in the Philippines, and I have always built my own impression about her, which was almost the same as the characters she played—snobby and mataray. However, having had the pleasure of meeting her in person erased all that.

But to describe Jackie Castillejo-Guingona would take more a whole page. In fact, I find it sometimes hard to keep up with her, even if we just talk on the phone for a few minutes, as she is always full of energy, in spite of the fact that she answers my e-mails in the wee hours of the morning. Nevertheless, it is always a pleasure (and actually at times, a non-caffeine boost) to talk to her.

A former national tennis champion in the Philippines with her equally-famous sister Dyan Castillejo (who is a reporter for ABS-CBN), Jackie went to college in Florida and Texas on a full tennis scholarship. She graduated with an AA in Journalism and a BA degree in Broadcast Journalism. Jackie also took up acting in Los Angeles and went on to act onstage, television and movies in the Philippines.

In 1997, Jackie along with sisters Dyan and Nina, conceptualized Sports Unlimited, a weekly travel and adventure show on ABS-CBN Channel 2 where she was the head writer (and sometimes part-time host) and director for 10 years.

With a successful career in the Philippines, it was a surprise to me to see her in Northern California, married to Daly City Mayor Mike Guingona and a stepmom. I asked her if it was difficult for her to leave her life back home. "Yes, I was very, very content with my life in the Philippines," she said and continued to explain, "I loved what I was doing, which to me is a luxury by the way, when you get to do what you love and get paid for it."

Admitting that it was a fun and fulfilling lifestyle, Jackie, however, has this to add, "BUT—here comes the "but" word -- contrary to popular belief, I have always been a romantic at heart. I fell in love, and to make that love work and last, I had to move here...and so I did." She also said that it was the most serious and life-changing decision she ever had to make. "But like my dad always said to me growing up, ‘nothing good comes easy.’"

And Jackie admits that it isn’t easy. "I’m sure all the wives and moms out there will agree with me (that) being a wife and mom is a handful. It is especially harder in my se since I made a decision to marry for the first time at a later age when I was very set in my ways and living the career girl and single life for so long," she said but then explained, "That being said, I also have to say that the fulfillment I get from the though that I am making a difference in other people’s lives (aside from mine), my husband’s and his son’s life gives me that ‘greater purpose’ feeling. The challenges are many, but the simple and pure rewards I get that come simultaneously with those challenges make it all worth it."