Is Ara Mina running in the 2010 elections?
By REYMA DEVEZA / abs-cbnNEWS.com | 10/21/2008 7:26 AM
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After conquering local showbiz, is sexy actress Ara Mina setting her sights on the political arena?
In an interview with abs-cbnNEWS.com, the actress revealed that she has been receiving offers to follow in the footsteps of her grandfather, former Quezon City Mayor Mel Mathay, and father Ismael "Chuck" Mathay.
"Humupa na ang ulan ngayon. Marami ang nage-encourage sa akin na tumakbo kasi nga 2001 pa lang bumababa na ako. So kilala na ako ng mga tao doon, so sabi ko let's see ano naman kahit sinasabi nilang kailangan kumikilos ka na ngayon for me hindi siguro ganoon kailangan 100% kang desididong tumakbo," she said.
Ara said she needs to think 100 times before deciding on whether or not she will embark on a political career. She said that since she came from a clan of politicians, she is assured that her family will be there to support her decisions.
"Ang dad ko kahit anong gawin ko susuportahan niya ako all throughout hindi nila maiaano 'yon kasi it runs in the blood sa family. Kasi sa generation namin parang nakikita nila yung brother ko na si Chris and ako either lang sa aming dalawa ang pwedeng tumakbo sa generation," she said.
She said that some of those who have asked her to run said she could vie for councilor or even the congressional post for Quezon City's fourth district.
She said that if she agrees to enter local politics, she will make sure that she is prepared for the position through further academic study.
Ara Mina or Hazel Reyes-Mathay in real life started her career as a member of local talent show "That's Entertainment." The turning point in her career was when she won the Best Actress Award for the movie "Mano Po" in 2002.
She recently became the subject of tabloid gossip after being romantically linked with the country's boxing icon Manny Pacquiao.
She currently stars in the hit ABS-CBN teleserye "Ligaw na Bulaklak" where she plays the villain role opposite actress Roxanne Guinoo.
She is also focusing on her food business "Cafe Mina" and will soon launch a healthy drink named "Easy Cleansing" that aims to help prevent colon cancer.
