SANDARA's SPARK
People say she's weird, talks funny and is so un-showbiz she sometimes rubs
the press the wrong way. Tinna S. Bonifacio traces Sandara Park's roots
and finds out why Pinoys have adopted this Korean teener as one of their
own.
It's been almost two months since the Star Circle Quest Finals, and all 10
questors have buckled down to work. Today, a press conference for their
new show, SCQ Reload, is on the agenda. At the presidential table, most of
the questions are being directed to Grand Questor Hero Angeles (who
apologizes for being late; he came from class at UP) and his loveteam
partner, Korean teener Sandara Park.
Members of the press laugh as Sandara replies to their questions. Her
answers are sometimes amusing, sometimes shocking. But despite her being
so painfully blunt - people have said she isn't 'showbiz' enough - she is
clearly the most popular of the bunch.
She is the only questor with a solo show (Sandara's Romance), and by the
time you read this, may have launched her debut album under Star Records.
Jamie Hipe of Star Records' Print & Publicity department says that even
before Sandy made it as one of the top five finalists of SCQ, Star Records
was already talking about signing her up.
She also has the most number of fans and fans club - all of whom love her
so much that they follow Sandy to all her shows and tapings whenever
possible.
"Minsan, nahihiya kami sa kanya dahil alam pa din namin na may limitation
kami bilang fans, at ayaw namin masira ang privacy niya," says Marivic,
president of Sandara's Circle of Cute fans club. "Pero hindi namin iiwan
si Sandy. Mamahalin at ipaglalaban namin siya."
They also feel bad whenever they hear people say bad things about their
idol, who is almost like family to them - like the time it was rumored that
she paid the fans to cheer at the SCQ Finals show at the Araneta Coliseum.
"We are sensitive to tsismis, at siyempre, bad trip kami kapag may
naririnig kami na may ayaw kay Sandara kasi siyempre, kapamilya na namin
siya," says Elvie, president of the Magic Star Sandara Park fans club. "
Affected kami kapag may tsismis tungkol sa kanya."
Tita Julian, who used to be just another Sandara fan like all the rest, now
works as her personal assistant (PA). She's doing it for the love of Sandy
and doesn't mind the late hours and low pay. And don't get the impression
that the fan is a teenager like all the rest. Tita is actually 48 years
old. "Kahit maliit lang ang kita, okay lang," says Tita. "Naaawa kasi ako
sa bata, sobrang independent, kahit mag-isa lang siya sa trabaho, sige ng
sige, kaya nag-decide na akong maging PA niya."
A very considerate person, Sandy makes up for the late hours by taking Tita
home, She also sees to it that they eat together. "Maalalahanin si Sandy.
Nagagalit siya kapag pinapauna ko siya kumain, kasi gusto niya, sabay kami,
" says Tita, whom Sandy fondly refers to as 'Ate Tita.'
Ate Tita has only been working for Sandy for two months, but already, she
loves the 19-year-old like her own daughter. "I always tell Sandy to
invest and save her money for the future, that instead of renting a house,
mag-rent-to-own na lang siya," says Tita.
Back