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LJ Reyes is master juggler -- she's managed to find a balance between hectic shoots and a regular school schedule.
Nowadays, it’s no longer rare to hear about celebrities going back to college -- to UP Open University, in particular. But there are a select few who never stopped going to school even with the hectic schedules of show business: one of them is LJ Reyes. Text by Jason John S. Lim. Photos by Mitch S. Mauricio. “Still studying,” LJ Reyes laughed in response to iGMA’s question on how school was. LJ was, and still is, one of the few celebrities who never stopped going to school even after getting into the entertainment industry. A feat that’s clearly easier said than done, especially with her course, “Economics and Management of Financial Institution,” a double-major course. With school and show business in her plate, LJ admitted that she didn’t really have a grand time management scheme that allowed her to do both. “God manages, hindi ako.” But she also added that she wouldn’t be able to do it without the help of GMA’s very understanding staff. And though scheduling can be stressful, LJ shared that school was going great -- even with the little hiccups that happen when she gets recognized on campus. “Habang tumatagal, siyempre mas may nakaka-recognize,” the young actress explained. LJ said that it feels weird, especially when her professors are the ones who recognize her. But, she added, the professors usually didn’t recognize her until after a classmate would point her out. “Sasabihin nila sa prof! Tapos, parang ako, ‘oh my God!’” The former StarStruck finalist said that while her classmates and professors weren’t affected by her celebrity status, she can’t help but be conscious of the fact. “Kasi parang, kulit sila ng kulit ng ‘how does it feel to be ganyan-ganyan?’” “Wala, it’s normal!” LJ said with a laugh. It’s a different case though when she’s with industry people. “Actually, akala ng mga tao magiging hindrance ‘yung show business para sa akin. [And] although oo, may mahirap na part, [like] when it comes to schedules, to projects, hindi mo maibibigay lahat ng time mo. “Pero sila mismo, ‘yung mga nandito sa showbiz, sila ang nagsasabi sa akin na ‘you have to finish your studies, or else kami ang magagalit sa’yo.’” But LJ said that they don’t have anything to worry about because she was definitely set on finishing her studies. So much so that she revealed that she sometimes doesn't sleep just to finish her homework! “Sometimes I do it on tapings, pag hindi na talaga aabot,” the chinita actress explained. “Pero I’m really uncomfortable kapag kunwari sa taping, tapos gagawa ka ng homeworks? Parang hindi ako makapag-concentrate. Kaya mas gusto ko pang hindi ako matulog. Gagawin ko ‘yung assignments ko sa bahay kesa [sa set] ko gawin.” What can you say about LJ’s commitment to studying? Do you think celebrities should also give priority to their studying even while juggling their showbiz commitments? Talk about it at the iGMA Forums! If you’re not yet registered, register now! You might even get the chance to chat with your idol! And here’s an interesting tidbit from LJ herself! Did you know that this La Sallista was initially accepted for a Communication Arts-Management of Financial Institution double major course? LJ revealed that because of StarStruck, there was a delay in the release of her high school grades so she wasn’t able to make the course quota! Do you want to know more about LJ from the actress herself? Subscribe to her Fanatxt service by texting LJ and sending to 4627 (for all telcos). (Each Fanatxt message costs PhP2.50 for GLOBE, SMART, and TALK 'N TEXT, and PhP2.00 for Sun subscribers. This service is available only in the Philippines) And don’t forget to LJ every weeknight on Gilda Olvidado’s Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita, every weeknight after Carlo J. Caparas’ Kamandag.