Dimples Romana, known as one of the country's most versatile actresses, has built a reputation strong enough to earn the trust of both the public and major brands, well beyond her work on screen.
On the sidelines of the acquisition event between consumer care giants Winpro and S Brands on Tuesday, July 21, PUSH ABS-CBN had the chance to interview Dimples, where she opened up about the secret behind the blessings her family has received outside of her showbiz career.
The Someone, Someday star admitted that her views about gratitude have shifted from the way she saw things earlier in her career.
"Definitely it has. Dati, ang pangarap mo 'pag bago kang artista, magkaroon ka ng trabaho. Tapos it will graduate into keeping your job and then finding your own path and being able to solidify a space in this environment that's so tough," she said.
While some believe that simply surviving in the industry is the goal, Dimples said it takes far more than that.
"You always have to fight for your spot because newcomers will come in and they'll be fresher, they'll be sexier, they'll be more beautiful," she said.
For Dimples, staying afloat may involve a bit of luck, but it demands plenty of hard work.
"Ang lagi kong sinasabi, hard work really does pay off. And for me, being blessed comes with a lot of hard work. It doesn't come only with luck, maybe a little bit of opportunity," she said.
Still, Dimples said that respecting the people she works with matters most of all.
"But when you know how to respect the people around you and understand that in every industry, whether it is corporate or in the entertainment industry, it's so vital that you acknowledge how blessed you are," she said.
She also acknowledged that she has reached a stage in her career where she can now choose the projects she takes on – a freedom she did not have in her younger years.
"And for me, at this point in my life, being blessed is just waking up in the morning and having the freedom to choose. 'Sinong makakatrabaho ko? Sinong makakasama ko? Sinong deserve ang energy ko today? At [kaninong] energy ang gusto kong makuha?'" she said.
"Kadalasan kasi pagbata ka pa, you say yes to everything because you want to be able to have a space where you are at," she added.
Though she still has many years ahead of her, Dimples said she is well aware that fame does not last, which is why she believes in treating the people she works with kindly.
"And just in my life, kahit na 41 pa lang ako, feeling ko ang tanda ko na kasi 'yun 'yung binigay sa akin ng industriyang 'to. 'Yung pagkakataon na maintindihan na ang kasikatan ay nawawala, ang perang kinikita ay nawawala. Pero ang pagiging mabuting tao at mabuting katrabaho ay will last you a lifetime," she said.
And while there are days when the work leaves her exhausted, Dimples said it is nothing compared to the joy of doing what she loves most.
"And last night I was saying I feel so blessed because I'm so tired of something that I'm so passionate about. Hindi ko napapagod. Kasi hindi mo puwedeng sabihin hindi ka napapagod. Napapagod tayo. Pero mapagod para sa bagay na pinaniniwalaan mo. That, for me, is a blessing," she stated.
Beyond her career, Dimples said she feels blessed to have children she is proud of and a marriage that has only grown stronger through the years.
"I wake up in the morning, and I have three amazing children, and a marriage I can be proud of for 23 years. I'm going strong just to have that balance between having a career and having a family I can nurture on my own," she remarked.
According to Dimples, though she and her husband Boyet Ahmee have been married for more than two decades, it is only now that they finally get to enjoy dates together.
"Ang laking blessing sa akin 'yun 'pag nakakain ako ng breakfast, lunch, at dinner sa bahay namin. Kasi, ang totoo, kahit 23 years na kami ng asawa ko, ngayon pa lang kami nag-sta-start mag-date," she said.
She also spoke proudly of her daughter Callie, whose education she and Boyet worked hard to provide.
"Kasi for the longest time, we've been so busy, you know, working for the kids, and because really the graduation of Callie. She's now a captain, and she's a pilot now in Australia. Nung naisuong namin 'yun at nagkaroon na siya ng trabaho, doon ako nakaramdam ng maghinga," she said.
Dimples also revealed that her marriage began with almost nothing.
"Kasi naniniwala ako na kami ni Boyet, nung nagsimula kami, wala kaming pera. Totoo 'yun. And so just being able to grow something from nothing is a big feat that we are very proud of," she said.
Asked why it matters to her to share her story, Dimples said it all comes down to hard work.
"Lahat ng pinagkakakitaan namin ng asawa ko, walang ibang pinanggalingan kundi pure hard work lang at pagsisipag. Kaya nga, very proud kami 'pag sini-share namin ito — hindi parang magyabang pero para ipakita sa lahat na kung ikaw, nababasa mo ito, nawawalan ka na ng pag-asa, magkakaroon ka ng pag-asa kasi alam mo that this particular family has done it," she said.
"If we were able to do it, that means you can do it as well," she added.
Dimples also shared the businesses that she and her husband currently run.
"So now, we have invested in a gasoline station, we have a printing company [run by Boyet], and then, of course, we still put a lot of money in land. Kasi 'yun talaga 'yung pinupunta ng pera naming mag-asawa, lupa," she shared.