Ara Mina (Net25)

Actress-businesswoman Ara Mina is on cloud nine these days after she finally fulfilled one of her showbiz dream projects after 30 years.

For the first time, Ara will debut as a magazine talk show host in the weekly program "Magandang Araw" which will premiere on Net25 on Saturday, July 15, at 3 p.m.

"It's a travel magazine show. May pagka-reality rin. I can tackle anything like yung mga side ng artista na hindi alam ng tao like mga talent nila. Meron din health, beauty, wellness, fitness, and motherhood. May D.I.Y. din. It's a co-production," she said.

Ara, 44, revealed that Oprah Winfrey was her peg in fulfilling her talk show project.

"It's my dream project after 30 years. I've been watching Oprah since I was a teenager. Sabi ko sana magkaroon ako ng ganung show. Bata pa ako nun at saka puro movies ako nun. This is special to me kasi marami akong gustong i-share sa tao," she said.

(It's my dream project after 30 years. I've been watching Oprah since I was a teenager. I said I wish I had a show like that. I was still young and then I was busy with movies. This is special to me because I want to share many things with people.)

"Sobrang happy ako noong lumabas yung permit ng MTRCB. Iba yung feeling! Hands-on kasi ako pagdating sa editing, contents, scriptwriting. Halos lahat ng inputs meron ako," Ara added.

(I was very happy when the MTRCB permit came out. It was a different feeling! Because I am hands-on when it comes to editing, content, and scriptwriting. I have almost all the inputs.)

Ara said that she's happy her husband Philippine International Trading Corporation President and CEO Dave Almarinez has adjusted to her busy schedule in showbiz.

"Ako na ang nagrequest kay Dave na next year na kami magka-baby. Plinano namin na next year na kasi parang next year na talaga nakatadhana na magkaroon kami ng baby.

(I am the one who requested from Dave that we have a baby next year. We plan on having a baby next year because it seems like next year is really destined to have a baby.)

"Sabi naman niya, 'bigyan mo na ako ng date para magbakasyon naman tayo ng apat na araw bago tayo umariba muli sa trabaho. Itong July we will have a date.

(He said, 'give me a date so we can take a vacation for four days before we go back to work. This July we will have a date.)

"Hindi ko pa alam kung saan kami kasi mag-bi-birthday na rin siya. Sabi ko puwede bang two-in-one na lang. Alam mo na kapag may asawa ka na, anak, at business, nagtitipid na rin naman," Ara said.

(I don't know where we're going because it's his birthday. I said it was possible to just have a two-in-one (celebration). You know that when you have a wife, a child, and a business, you're saving too.)

Incidentally, Ara has wrapped up her latest movie entitled "Litratro" under 3:16 Media Network. Award-winning star Ai-Ai Delas plays the lead in the drama film. Aside from Ai-Ai and Ara, also starring in "Litrato" are Liza Lorena and Quinn Carillo. It is directed by Louie Ignacio.

Ara also revealed her other dream projects in showbiz.

"I want to have a Cinemalaya project. Hindi ko pa yun nagagawa. I think hindi ko pa talaga nagagawa in my entire career is rom-com. Parang Julia Roberts type. Pero bawal na ako sa kissing scene. Siguro dayain na lang. Gusto ko rin ng theater. It's part of your learning. You never stop learning kapag matagal ka na sa industriya," she said.

Ara Mina with husband Philippine International Trading Corporation President and CEO Dave Almarinez and daughter Amanda (Facebook)

(I want to have a Cinemalaya project. I haven't done that yet. I think I haven't really done a rom-com in my entire career. It's like a Julia Roberts type. But I'm not allowed to do kissing scenes. I also want to do theater. It's part of your learning. You never stop learning when you've been in the industry for a long time.)

Ara also said that she's willing to accept an international project even if the talent fee is not big.

"We can work it out naman kasi kung maganda naman yung role. Naging producer din ako so alam ko yung feeling nila. Lalo na ang local movie industry hindi pa bumabalik as before," she added. (We can work it out especially if the role is good. I was also a producer so I know how they feel.)

Ara also reiterated that her sexy roles in the movies are over. "Tapos na tayo sa mga sexy scenes. Baka sabihin ng iba si Ara walang pinagkatandaan. Ibigay na natin yun sa iba. Ibang chapter na tayo ngayon. We need to breakaway from roles. Pero depende kung pang-award ang role. Kung pang Oscars yun why not? Ngayong married na ako, lahat ng gagawin ko I consult with my husband. Supportive siya sa akin."

"I'm done with sexy scenes. Others might say I haven't matured as an actress. Let's give that to others. We are in a different chapter now. We need to break away from roles. But it depends if the role will give me an award like the Oscars. Then why not? Now that I'm married, everything I do I consult with my husband. He's supportive of me."

Ara also considers her husband Dave her lucky charm. "After ko mag-asawa ang dami kong blessing. Ang daming projects na dumarating. Usually pag nag-aasawa ka, lie low ka muna."

(After I got married, I got a lot of blessings. A lot of projects came. Usually, when you get married, you're not active in showbiz.) 

On finances, Ara said: "Tulungan kami. Nagbibigay siya ng money sa akin pero hindi naman ako nagbibigay sa kanya. One thing na maganda sa kanya is may kusa siya. Hindi ako humihingi ng allowance sa asawa ko. Kung ano ang ibinigay niya, I just accept it. That's why he loves me. He's very generous. I can say I'm happy and content with my life now."

(We help each other. He gives me money but I don't give him money. One thing that is good about him is that he is willing to give. I don't ask for an allowance from my husband. But if he gives, I just accept it.)