Remember Niña Jose, the former reality show contestant-turned-actress?
She left the limelight seven years ago and married then-Bayambang, Pangasinan mayor Cezar Quiambao in 2017. Cezar is the brainchild of the first elevated superhighway in the Philippines -- the Metro Manila Skyway Project Stage 1.
Despite their age gap, Niña and her husband live a harmonious life in the province together with their son named Antonio.
After being a full-time mom, the former actress tried her luck in politics and, fortunately, won the mayoral race in Pangasinan.
Now, Niña is the new mayor of Bayambang, replacing her husband.
Take a peek at Niña's life outside showbiz here:
Niña Jose joined a reality show contest when she was 16. Among her contemporaries are Kim Chiu, Gerald Anderson, and Matt Evans.
After joining the reality show, Niña Jose starred in various TV shows like drama anthologies and sitcoms on other networks.
Niña Jose also became a part of films 'Shake, Rattle and Roll X and XII' and 'Mano Po 6: A Mother's Love.'
In 2017, Niña Jose tied the knot with Bayambang, Pangasinan Mayor Cezar Quiambao. According to the former actress, she and the public servant married thrice -- first was in Los Angeles, California, second was a civil wedding, and third was their grand wedding attended by their families in St. Vincent Ferrer Parish in Bayambang.
In a past interview, Niña admitted that she misses showbiz already but she decided not to return to acting as per her husband's request. However, she is open to producing films in the future.
Niña Jose and Cezar Quiambao are blessed with a son named Antonio. According to Niña, becoming a mother is her greatest dream, saying that "it's the noblest and most fulfilling profession of all." In a Facebook vlog, she opened about her two miscarriages which cost the lives of their children Julius and Isabello.
Niña Jose is a proud stepmom to Cezar Quiambao's five children and step-grandmother to one of her husband's children's offspring. "Kung sino 'yung mahal ng asawa ko, mahal ko rin. Therefore, mahal ko 'yung mga anak namin. They are my kids, all of them," she shared in her vlog.
Niña Jose also led the local counsel of women in Bayambang, creating projects that empower them. She also headed this year's executive committee of local beauty pageant, Binibining Bayambang.
Challenges come and go and these strengthen her love for her family more. At the peak of COVID-19 in 2020, Niña revealed that she and Cezar tested positive for the virus. Both of them were rushed to the hospital after experiencing symptoms. Cezar was vomiting and his fever had reached 40 degrees while Niña lost her sense of taste and smell. Nina couldn't help but think that their recovery was nothing short of a miracle because of what they had been through.
Niña shared graphic photos of her extensive injury in an Instagram post accompanied by a caption detailing “one of the most traumatizing and painful moments” in her life.
She revealed suffering second-degree burns as she attempted to do suob.
“On this day last year around 11 pm, I was doing suob and the pail of steaming hot water was on a shaky table. In a matter of minutes, the steaming hot water fell on me, on the sofa where I was sitting down,” she wrote on Instagram.
“I was in shock. I did not even stand up right away. I didn't even cry right away, but after a few minutes I did.. hahaha late reaction.. It turned out it was a second-degree burn in my thighs, butt, and some parts of my private area.”
She also suffered a miscarriage prior to the suob accident.
The unfortunate incidents pushed Niña to further hold on to her faith.
“Mama Mary appeared to me, and she said, 'Do not be afraid, I am Our Lady of Sorrows... visit me at 3 pm.' I am not really a devotee of Our Lady of Sorrows but after that apparition, I searched for the nearest Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and went there at 3:30. The church bells were ringing too!”
Niña ventures into politics with the purpose of continuing the revolution against poverty that her husband started in the municipality that he served.
Niña's victory in the mayoral race is historic for Bayambang because she is the town's first female municipal chief.
As she took over the role from Cezar, Niña cleared that they will not entrench political dynasty. She said, "My husband is not in public office right now because he feels he can help more at this time being in private public partnership. I am the only one in public service right now."