MJ Lastimosa: A life without limits (Sabong News)

Former beauty queen-turned-actress and television host MJ Lastmosa is simply grateful that almost everything is going back to normal in show business. Taking a break from her busy schedule, MJ reflects on the opportunities and blessings that come her way during the pandemic. The newest co-host of the longest-running noontime show “Eat Bulaga” also enjoys being with Dabarkads who she finds as friendly and warm.  “Napakagandang opportunity ng hosting sa ‘Eat Bulaga’ kasi nga everyday, you’re exposed, but your confidence is boosted. You’re being comfortable in front of the camera is a good practice. Given the chance na mabigyan ka ng maraming acting projects, why not? Choosy pa ba tayo dahil ang daming nawalan ng trabaho? I think we should always remind ourselves to be grateful and to appreciate na we are able to bring entertainment to people. So right now, hindi ko talaga iniisip kung ano’ng path ang gusto kong tahakin. Whatever opportunities there are, na kaya ko naman, we will do it,” said MJ, during a Zoom press conference for her latest film “Take Me Back to Banaue” recently. MJ said that she savors the moment now the many people can work outside. “Right now, I am just adapting to the new normal and grateful to the fact that we are back working outside again and puwede na uli magshooting. I just savor the moment that I was able to go out.” She added: “I’m more like grateful of all the work right now kasi ang dami talagang realization, especially noong 2020 kung saan ang dami nating hindi puwede gawin. You’re just stuck at home. Whatever opportunities are in front of me, I am just counting it as a blessing, so may it be hosting or acting. Nami-miss ko na rin talagang maghost ng beauty pageants around the Philippines. Ang ‘Eat Bulaga’ is such a big blessing to me. Napakasaya at warm ng ‘EB’ family. Parang hindi nila pinaparamdam na baguhan ka. Napaka-supportive rin ng Eat Bulaga sa mga acting projects kaya nagagawa pa rin natin ito. Kung may opportunities man na interesting at kaya ko naman, gagawin natin yan. Magsisipag tayo.” In her upcoming movie, the former Miss Universe semifinalist plays Paloma, an escort girl. Asked why she accepted the project, MJ said: “When I was told na I’ll be playing an escort girl, naging interesado ako because I know for every role, there’s a story behind it. So gusto kong bigyan ng buhay ang character niya. She has her own reasons why she’s doing it. So naging challenge ito sa akin and sana mabigyan ko ng representation ang ibang babae na hindi agad sila ma-judge sa ginagawa nila.” MJ also shared her thoughts on pageants, which have become a “craze” among Filipinos. She also cited the support of pageant fans to the success of Filipina beauty queens. “Dito sa Philippines, napakaraming involve. Yung success naman ng isang candidate hindi lang naman own doings lang niya. Kahit na gaano pa kasipag yung babae, kung mag-isa lang siya, hindi niya kakayanin yun. It takes a village.  “So dito sa Pilipinas, napakaraming sumusuporta. Ang dami ko ng nakausap at yung iba nagsasabi na they have to buy their own clothes, makeup, mga ganung simpleng bagay. Napakalaking bawas na yun sa mga representative which in our case, solid tayo sa voting online and moral support.  “Pero I think ang dapat nating alisin ay yung nakikipagaway tayo. Ang hilig nating makipag-away sa mga neighboring countries, which is unnecessary. So I think yun ang advantage ng Philippines when it comes to  pageants,” she said. MJ also encouraged women joining pageants to focus on themselves so that they can achieve their dreams. “On my third try sa Binibining Pilipinas, I turned off my social media accounts because that was my fear. Na parang sasabihin ng ibang tao she doesn’t know when to stop,  Na sasabihin nila pag nanalo or natalo ka na ng once or twice tama na.  “When I lost the second time around, sabi ko parang this is not for me. Pero ngayon, naisip ko na who are you to tell me things I cannot do, di ba? Sino ba yung mga tao para sabihin sa’yo na hindi mo kaya yan?  “Kasi yung iba nga, in their 10th year, saka pa lamang sila nabibigyan ng break. Who knows what will happen? Like in my case, nung third try ko pala ako mananalo. “Paano kung tumigil na ako sa third try at doon pala ako mananalo? It will never happen. So what we can do is focus on ourselves na lang to reach our goals and allow people to achieve their dreams. At the end of the day, that’s your life,” MJ said. In the same media conference, Filipino-American producer Danny Aguilar said that shooting for the rom-com movie “Take Me To Banawe” has started in Baguio City. “We executed it well. Ang hirap kaya mag-shoot sa Banaue. We have to hike within an hour. And the next day we have to do the same in the actual location. Ang hirap pero masarap. The cast and crew really worked so hard. I’m just really happy na naitawid namin siya,” said Danny, also the president and founder of Carpe Diem Pictures based in Dallas, Texas, USA. Written by Jason Rogers and Danny Aguilar, “Take Me To Banaue” follows Hank, a gawky American engineer, in his pursuit to meet the perfect girlfriend who he hopes will become his wife. After discovering the real truth about the stunning woman he fell for, Hank has to spend the days and hours grappling with a deal from a businesswoman and listening to his friend’s advice – all as he tries to make it to Banaue…for the woman he loves. Aside from MJ, the film also stars Brandon Melo, Maureen Wroblewitz, Thea Tolentino, Dylan Rogers and Boobay.