Ara Mina explains why she didn't run

Sexy actress Ara Mina was bombarded with questions when she attended the unveiling of the billboard that she shares with sister Cristine Reyes for Cathy Valencia's Skin and Body Center, held at Peri-Peri Chicken House in Promenade, Greenhills. First, we asked her why she decided not to go on with her political career. It can be recalled that Ara once toyed with the idea of running for councilor in the second district of Quezon City. "Hindi na ako tumakbo sa pulitika dahil mas kailangan ng Daddy ko [Chuck Mathay, who's running for Congress in Quezon City] ang time ko. Ngayon pa lang, nangangarag na ako sa pag-aasikaso, hindi lang ng campaign materials niya, but uma-attend din ako sa mga [campaign] sorties at iba pang activities na kailangan ang presence ko. At ako rin, katulong ang mga kapatid ko, ang nag-aayos ng mga kailangang i-disburse para sa mga gagastusin niya," she explained. Looks like she and former boyfriend Jomari Yllana have the same experience as far as being into politics is concerned. Jomari also backed out in his councilor bid in Parañaque City. "Yeah, pareho lang naming gustong suportahan ang mga mahal namin sa buhay. Ako sa Daddy ko, siya naman para sa kapatid niya," said Ara, referring to Jomari's decision to support his brother Anjo Yllana, who is running for re-election as vice mayor of Parañaque. It seems that even if Ara and Jomari have not seen each other in a long time, Ara is still close with her former boyfriend's family. "Kasi, wala naman kaming problema ng mga mahal niya sa buhay, e," Ara said. "Kung i-invite ako ni Anjo, I will be there basta kaya ng schedule ko. In-invite din ako ng Mommy ni Jom para sa Rotary Club nila. Wala naman na kaming dapat na maging away ni Jom, e. Pareho na kaming naka-move on. Kaya kung anuman yung dumaan na, tapos na ‘yon." Can she say the same thing for recent ex-boyfriend Polo Ravales? "Siyempre, masakit din yung nangyari sa amin ni Polo. But I cannot compare yung sakit na naramdaman ko sa hiwalayan namin ni Jom at ni Polo kasi mas matagal naman kami ni Jom. Just the same, masakit pa rin," she explained. What was Ara's reaction to a report that Polo went wild in Boracay last Holy Week? (Polo, however, denied the issue.) "May mga nagsabi sa akin," said Ara. "E, wala naman ako dun. At saka sabi nga niya [Polo], wala na kami. I tried naman na magkaroon kami ng pag-uusap, pero hindi na niya ako sinagot so with that, it came to my understanding na period na. Ang masasabi ko na lang sa kaniya, ingatan na lang niya ang sarili niya. Let's move on. Basta kung saan siya masaya, buhay niya na ‘yan." Can she comment on Eric Fructuoso's revelation on DJ Mo Twister's radio program that Ara was one of the actresses he has gone to bed with? "Hindi ko itatanggi na during that time, when I was only 15 years old, nanligaw siya. Nagkaroon kami ng MU [mutual understanding]. But for him to say na naikama niya ako, e, mukhang hindi naman tama dahil napakabata ko nun. At takot ko lang na mabuntis ako o may mangyari sa akin. E, baka naman sa dinami-rami ng nasa listahan niya ng sinasasabi niyang naka-sex niya, e, siya mismo nagugulo na sa kung sino ang sino," she said in jest. Ara is also being linked to boxing champion Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao. Rumor has it that Manny is some sort of Ara's benefactor. Is this true? "Naku, lahat ng mga kakilala ko, kaibigan—sa showbiz man o sa pulitika at sa sports—lahat ng celebrities, binentahan ko ng tickets nung mag-concert ako. Kaya bakit pini-pinpoint nila si Manny? Nag-guest ako sa show niya sa Gensan [General Santos City]. I-link ba kami?" Ara said laughing. Is she willing to fall in love again? "Not that soon," she quipped. "This time, I want to focus pa rin sa career ko. Magsisipag ako lalo para mas marami akong maipon. Para mas marami akong magawang mga projects na gusto ko—TV, pelikula, recording. At makapunta pa rin sa ibang bansa with the shows I'll do." Did she ask the permission of Dra. Vicky Belo, where she is also an endorser, regarding her being an endorser of Cathy Valencia's Skin Clinic? "Yeah, sinabi ko naman kay Dra. Belo at wala namang problema. Kasi iba naman ang mga treatments na ginagawa sa akin ng mga nasa Belo Medical," said Ara. "Matagal ko nang kaibigan si Cathy. In fact, even before pa akong nag-endorse for Dra. Belo, talagang tini-treat na ni Cathy ang skin ko, pati kay Cristine. At noon ko pa rin sinasabi sa kanya na dapat magpa-ad na siya para ma-promote na rin ang skin clinic niya," Ara said in closing. - Philippine Entertainment Portal