If there's one thing that actress Bea Alonzo learned from the pandemic, it's to embrace independence and openness especially after leaving the comforts of ABS-CBN's Star Magic -- the talent management arm that took care of her for two decades.
Leaving Star Magic is like "going to college," Alonzo told a handful of Summit Media journalists in an exclusive interview on Thursday.
"Right now, parang nag-mature ako. It's as if I went to college. I don't need to ask my mom and my dad, I can make decisions for myself, that's very empowering on my part," she said.
The 33-year-old actress, who rose to fame through her love team with John Lloyd Cruz, said leaving Star Magic was "very emotional" for her given that the talent management arm was responsible for the success of her career.
"It's very emotional for me. If there's one thing this pandemic taught me is to be more open to possibilities and to be more independent," she said.
Alonzo left Star Magic in November last year, a move that sent the industry abuzz as her home network struggled with successive challenges -- limitations posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the loss of its franchise.
She was among the talents reared by Johnny "Mr. M" Manahan, who also left the network following the loss of its franchise.
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"I’m very grateful to Star Magic for all the lessons," Alonzo said. "Hindi ako magiging responsable sa mga desisyon ko kung hindi nila ako tinulungan."
Looking forward, Alonzo said she believes she would be proud of herself for making the big move to step out of her comfort zone.
"Ten years from now, pag binalikan ko yung moment na yun, I would be proud of myself and the relationship we've built," she said.
"Life is short. Kung hindi ka tatalon, paano ka na lang? Paano na ang buhay?"