DAWN ZULUETA IS, FIRST AND FOREMOST, A MOTHER. A night before her scheduled special pictorial for View, she had to beg off. Understandably so. Her son Jacobo was terribly sick and the devoted mom couldn’t stand to leave him. The bundle of energy, after all, came after several years of longing for a child by Dawn and her now-congressman husband Anton Lagdameo of Davao.

The cancellation also meant that there wouldn’t be a face-to-face tête-à-tête with the acclaimed actress and grand beauty. What will a resourceful writer do just to get a story? Why, rely on the advances in technology, of course. So an electronic correspondence ensued. And the lady that she is, Dawn graciously replied to random questions, from “What’s inside your handbag right now?” (wallet, checkbook, oil-blotting sheets, Spanish fan, hairbrush, hand wipes, mobile phone) to “What is your wish for Philippine politics?” (out with the politicos and in with the true, dignified statesmen!).

“Busy,” Dawn replies when asked about her current state of mind. “My mind is often flooded with all sorts of creative ideas pertaining to film work, TV work and just plain housework.”

Though she has considerably been picky about her showbiz commitments, Dawn is still in the national consciousness because of her high-wattage presence as the glamorous image for Robinsons Malls. Together with a slew of carefully chosen endorsements, Dawn is also in the public eye because of her involvement with advocacies that benefit the less fortunate. Dawn is definitely a beautiful woman with a beautiful heart. Certainly no arguments there.

Stardust

What’s your next show-biz commitment?

I’m scheduled to start filming a movie that will be an entry to the Metro Manila Film Festival this December. The details of this new project are still being ironed out. Apart from that, I have my contractual commitments for my endorsements, like photo shoots, press launches and personal appearances in the weeks ahead.

What roles would you still like to portray?

I would like to do meatier characters and explore my range. I would love to try out a bit of comedy, maybe even portray an antiheroine like that of Meryl Streep’s Miranda in The Devil Wears Prada. I have also long wished I could still perform in an action-packed movie, or a suspense thriller. Another dream is to be part of an epic film based on a mythological character or historical material.

Who else would you like to work with, or would like to work with again?

It would be nice if I could work with directors like Maryo J. de los Reyes and Olivia Lamasan, whom I have not worked with yet. There are so many I miss working with again, like directors Peque Gallaga, Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, Joey Reyes, Chito Roño, Laurice Guillen and Joel Lamangan.

As for coactors, it would be great to work again with Dolphy, Vilma Santos, Hilda Koronel, Eddie Garcia, Richard Gomez and Eric Quizon. The first and last time I was with Ate Vi was when she directed Ariel Rivera and myself in a telesine many years back. I would so love to perform opposite her as a costar because I am sure the experience would be magical, just as wonderful as when I once worked with Ate Guy (Nora Aunor).

Among the actors I have not experienced working with, it would be with Celia Rodriguez, Susan Roces and Piolo Pascual.

You’re familiar with the young stars now. Who impresses you the most?

I would say that Angelica Panganiban is one that has shown much potential as a serious actress. John Lloyd Cruz is also very impressive in the way he fiercely experiments with character portrayal.

What is your wish for the showbiz industry?

Less amusement taxes and more government support and funding.

Will you ever do lead roles again?

Why not? If the material is right for me.

What else would you like to achieve in your showbiz career?

Becoming a film producer. It’s the next best achievement I would like to realize.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Besides your family, what makes settling in Davao more desirable than Manila?

The clean air and living. The closeness to nature, that everything is within arm’s reach, like going to the beach or enjoying the mountain breeze. In Davao, it’s simple to keep my son entertained because there is so much space for him to play safely, run around the farm and ride a horse. In Manila, at least he has his cousins to set up playdates with, so his social life is busier here. I find that I am more relaxed living in the province.

What is your wish for your husband?

My constant wish for Anton is that he succeeds in all the wonderful plans that he and his constituents have mapped out to ensure the continuance of our province’s progress. From the basics, like uplifting family and communal values, continued improvement of all the services of our local government, advancing the facilities of our hospitals, day-care centers and schools, as well as providing more job opportunities for the region so that our province will prosper in self-sufficiency, and much more.

We’ve always known that reaching these goals will take much strength of character and hard work, not only on our part but on the community, as well. We are so fortunate that he has their full support. When Anton and I made the decision that he would run for Congress, we had decided right then and there that it would be all or nothing. Our dreams may be too idealistic for some but, fortunately, not for his constituents.

And I only wish that nothing stands in the way for him to fully accomplish everything he has set his mind on, because I know it all to be good.

What are your hopes for Jacobo?

That he lives a long and fruitful life. That he realizes early on what his life’s purpose is, and that we have done our part in raising him well so that he will be fully equipped to embark on whatever he sets his sights on…. I hope that he will always be surrounded by true and faithful friends, so that even long after his father and I have gone, he will never lose his person…. I hope that someday he will find himself doing something of great importance not only for himself but probably even benefiting the world around him.

You come from a multiethnic background. How much Mideastern culture have you imbibed that you are now imparting to your child?
The only thing Middle Eastern about me now is that I’ve learned how to prepare some of its famous dishes. So I’ve been teaching Jacobo how to appreciate food like moutabal, hummus and dolmas. He’s slowly getting the hang of it and it will only be a matter of time before he completely acquires the taste the way I did while I was still growing up hanging out in my grandmother’s kitchen.

THE GOOD LIFE

Which designers and labels are in your Manila and Davao closets?

I have mostly Pepito Albert, Ernest Santiago, Inno Sotto, Rhett Eala, Cary Santiago and Patrice Ramos-Diaz lately. Others are Stella McCartney, Diane Von Furstenberg, Vivienne Tam, Chanel, Valentino and Escada.

How do you indulge yourself?

I enjoy treatments at Facial Care like STR, NTO and collagen masks at least twice weekly. I also get revitalized at Marie France twice or three times weekly doing regular treatments like EDM, Vara Pulse and Vela Smooth. I usually have my weekly massage, manicure and pedicure cleaning at home so that I can spend more time with my family. Once a month I would probably go to a salon for a hot-oil hair treatment. And sometimes just going out with a girlfriend or my husband to see a movie is enough to unwind.

How often do you shop? What were your latest buys?

I shop once a month because I round up all the birthday, wedding and baptismal presents in one go. But when I shop for myself, once every two months is a lot. My latest buys have been for Jacobo, six pairs of his favorite checkered “Toes” sneakers at Robinsons. He loves to wear those to school so I had to get them in all the colors they came in so they would match any shirt he’ll wear.

What made you agree to be the image for Robinsons Department Stores? How happy are you with that decision?
I considered it an honor to have been chosen as the endorser. The establishment has been around for so long and has grown widely across the country. I can’t tell you how fabulous it is to be pushing for products or services that I am really a consumer and believer of. For that, I think I’m one lucky gal.

How do you maintain such a positive disposition?

I think it really helps to be surrounded by positive and inspiring people. Like our son, who never wastes time. He’s always on the go, learning, asking questions. Children can teach us a thing or two about being focused in a very cluttered and complex adult world.

How has your fashion evolved from being an actress to wife and mother to a working woman?

Maybe it has evolved only in the sense that I am more mindful lately of what is “age-appropriate.” I only choose classic lines and I never splurge on “fad” items. I still love to dress for success—and for comfort. However, the hemline has kind of gravitated to my knees. Hahahaha!

What are your sociocivic advocacies? What do you do to advance these causes?

I am an advocate for the fight against breast cancer with the ICanServe Foundation. Apart from helping to spread the word on the importance of safeguarding women’s health and the early detection of the disease, I also plan on bringing the foundation’s medical missions to our barangay health workers in the far-flung areas of Davao del Norte, where my husband is representing the Second District.

I have also been a supporter of the Violence Against Women and Children group in Davao City. They help rehabilitate victims and survivors through legal counseling and group therapy. Another one close to my heart is the burn unit of the Davao Regional Hospital. I am one of their donors to help improve the surgical and trauma facilities.

Besides your family, what is your proudest achievement?

To this day, I can say my proudest achievement is realizing my personal ideals. That I am comfortable in my own skin because I have embraced my unique qualities, my strengths and talents, learning how to utilize them, as well as being accepting of my limits and imperfections. I believe one of our greatest achievements in life is finding our purpose.