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Trouble with re-building from scratch

Author: Nestor Cuartero
Column: MovieGoer

UNLIKE in the case of Hansel and Gretel, the way back for artists isnt always easy as pie. Actors and entertainers who have decided to throw in the towel at a certain point in their lives usually have trouble re-building whats left of their careers when they stage a comeback.

You get all the butterflies in your stomach, says former sexy star-turned rock singer Stella Ruiz. Not only that. You get pretty much insecure. Your confidence level hits zero that anything, even a slight breeze, can wipe it away.

Stella, who has been gone for three years, said it took a lot of character build-up and coaching before she could bounce back from within. The remarks she would hear from people who had learned she was now a singer were not at all encouraging.

Hindi ba bold star yan? was a common aside she had to put up with.

Through sheer talent and by the grace of God, Stella has been proving them misinformed. Her gigs are among the most requested in town. I am flattered when people now tell me, Ay, singer ka pala talaga!

Armed with an expensive guitar and a developed love for music, Stella, with her sexy image hovering about like a shadow, takes center-stage in bars and lounges. At RJ Bistro Bar in Makati where she was contracted to do only two shows, she has been extended to three months due to good feedback. Her stint ends this month.

The former model says gigs like these have helped her gain back her confidence. Even as an actress. Cast in an important role on the GMA drama, "Sugo," Stella says she was initially hurt when some people dismissed her comeback plans as nonsense. Wala raw akong career na babalikan. That really made me cry.

The fact that Stella can make her directorsand her viewershappy with her performance has streng-thened her resolve furthermore. I lived in the US for a while, but it seems I cant turn my back on performing. While in LA, all I met were people connected to music.

One of these was a guy named Saverio Principini, who had written songs for Avril Lavigne and Hillary Duff. Principini even gave her a song, which she recorded right in his home studio.

Stella is now busy recording songs for her first album, although shes featured in two cuts in a compilation called Pinoy Fresh. One of her songs there is the Princi-pino composition, Its Not Easy To Let Go.

Rock is the flavor of Stellas debut album. It will have touches of country and a bit of pop-rock. Shes so excited she has forgotten all about her insecurities earlier. Why, even Ella May Saison has written a song for Stella!

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BY THE WAY...

You should see PETAs new home. Its lovely as a palace. Located behind Quezon City Sports Club, the new PETA Theater Center opens Sept. 17 (cocktails) with the award-winning zarzuela, Mario OHara "Ang Palasyo ni Valentin." The play stars Nonie Buencamino, Sheryl Maala, Cynthia Culig-Guico and Chinggoy Alonzo under the direction of Soxie Topacio.

Source: Tempo