“Kasi, for me, gusto kong maging practical sa pag-spend ng money. Hindi ako in favor na mag-spend so much on myself para sa isang gabi lang tapos para sa akin pa,” she told members of the press Thursday, April 12. “In a way, gusto ko magspe-spend ako ng ganung karaming pera, something more useful, more productive.”
Besides donating an undisclosed amount to the Cribs Foundation, Jasmine spent her 18th birthday shopping for her mother in Australia.
“Sobrang tagal kong hinintay na mag-shopping kami for her. So finally pumayag na rin siya. Tapos for the whole day, siya lang ang inintindi ko,” Jasmine shared.
Asked what she gave herself for her birthday, Jasmine said: “Wala pa. Siguro yung regalo ko for myself is yung… kasi happy na ako na napag-shopping ko si Mommy. So feeling ko yun na yung gift ko sa sarili ko.”
Jasmine added she also considers her recent trip to the Philippines as a birthday gift to herself. “Kasi enjoy ako pag nagtatrabaho ako e,” she said.
Birthday wish
Her birthday wish? “More success, when it comes to school and work. Also a healthy life for my family. And a successful year in high school. And to be able to help more charities.”
Jasmine is in her last year of high school in Australia, where she is based.
Is there something she is looking forward to, now that she’s 18?
“Finishing high school to the best of my ability talaga,”she replied. “This year, yun lang talaga ang pinaka-goal ko, to get the best grades that I can. Pero at the same time, keep my social life healthy talaga.”
As to whether she’ll entertain suitors now that she’s 18, Jasmine shared her parents never forbid her from having a boyfriend.
“Talaga ako, ang main focus ko is my family, school, and work,” she explained. Jasmine added maintaining a relationship might be difficult since she’s studying in Australia while frequently visits the Philippines for her showbiz commitments.
Jasmine’s young showbiz career can be considered a success so far with her numerous endorsements and TV5 shows. She has done two regular shows for the Kapatid network so far: “Ang Utol Kong Hoodlum” with JC De Vera and the David Archuleta-starrer “Nandito Ako.” She will also star in multiple episodes of the Sunday fantasy show “Pidol’s Wonderland.”
Education over showbiz
Jasmine adds that the network has given her the space “for me to just do well and excel in my studies so I can finish my last year.” “Para kung dito na nga ako lilipat, bongga na, di ba? Andito na talaga ako full time,” she explained.
Is she open to moving to the Philippines after she finishes high school to pursue her showbiz career full-time?
“Kung papayagan ako ni Mommy, Daddy, manager ko, saka Ate ko,” she said. “Otherwise, siguro doon ako magco-college. Tapos the same, pabalik-balik to do work.”
For Jasmine, discontinuing her education to focus on showbiz is not an option.
“If ever, one year lang akong magsto-stop. Kasi I don’t want to prolong it tapos completely ako mawalan ng gana. And si Daddy, yun ang advice. Si Daddy, ang gusto niya, gap year tapos schooling,” she explained. “At least sa gap year ko, hindi ako tambay na wala akong ginagawa. Pero it also depends kasi ayokong iwanan ni Mommy sa Melbourne.”
It would be a waste not to finish her studies, Jasmine said, adding that she wants to prove that one can complete a college degree while doing showbiz work.
While her mother and sister Anne Curtis want her to finish her studies, Jasmine said choosing to get a degree was entirely her decision.
“Of course, they want me to stay happy kung ano man ang desisyon ko. Kasi at the end of the day, they said it’s my life. And kung di ako happy sa buhay ko, what’s the point?” she said.
By Chuck Smith | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom
