She is a picture of bliss nowadays being a successful actress and businesswoman, apart from having found "The One" in Dave Almarinez, but Ara Mina went through trying times.

During a recent interview, Ara recalled how hard it was for her to venture into the "Sex Trip" or "ST" trend back in the '90s.

Note that prior to doing so, she was among several wholesome teen actresses hoping to gain notice in German Moreno's "That's Entertainment."

She shared, "Ang hirap kasi siyempre siguro kahit sino man kapag naghubad ka sa harap ng mga tao maasiwa ka. Pero tiniis ko iyon."

"Naaalala ko pa nga, the first few times na sinabi ng direktor na maghubad na ako, umiiyak talaga ako kasi, siyempre andun yung cameraman, yung lightman, yung direktor...ang hirap. Sabi ko na lang sa sarili ko, trabaho lang ito," she added.

Her then boyfriend was not supportive, splitting with her as soon as near naked photos of her made it to tabloids.

Adding to her woes is her father not agreeing with her decision.

"Talagang galit na galit siya," she recalled. "Kumuha na lang ako ng lakas sa mom ko na, thankfully very supportive naman sa akin. Alam niya kasi at naiintindihan niya na may pangarap ako at stepping stone lang para sa akin yun."

Acquiring an image as a boldie was doubly hard for Ara.

"Wala naman direktang nambabastos pero nga kasi siguro dahil iniisip nilang hubadera ka kung makatingin halos hubaran ka na."

"May iba naman na nagsabi na wala ako alam kung hindi maghubad. Ham actress daw. It came to a point na naging challenge siya. Sabi ko sa sarili babaguhin ko ang pananaw ninyo sa akin someday at thankfully, na -achieve ko naman."

Obviously, her perseverance proved fruitful.

Ara was eventually able to land meaty roles that allowed her to win awards.

Some 20 years since, Ara continues to make her mark in TV and movies.

She is soon to be seen in Viva's "Paglaki Ko Gusto Kong Maging Pornstar."