December 02, 2002

A Blissful Life

By Mary Anne Plaza

Bessie Badilla used to make Filipino television audiences laugh with her own style of comedy. Now based overseas and with showbusiness just a memory, this former comedienne has much reason to smile about in her family-centered life

As most people walk to their age, signs of the times are etched in varying degrees depending on they take life’s ups and downs.

Still radiant and charming, Bessie Badilla, is an embodiment of grace and happiness amid the fast pace of today’s environment. Clad in a purple halter top and white slacks, the former model and TV personality looked totally contented and fulfilled. Beaming with smiles so like their mother’s, Blanca and Ines are obviously a significant part of her bliss.

Bessie and her family are presently based in Connecticut, USA. However, she visits the local shores especially when there are interesting projects she can work on.

"Right now I’m working as a contributing editor to the book Encyclopedia of Philippine Painting and Sculpture by Jacobi Publishing. I was invited by Marilyn Aguilez to work with her in the completion of this book," she shares, excitement and enthusiasm brimming in her eyes.

And why is she involved in such an endeavor?

"I am an artist and my medium is Chinese brush painting. I’ve been painting for 25 years and eleven of my artworks are compiled in a CD," Bessie says, as if sharing a long-time secret.

The Bessie Badilla was known to so many Filipinos during the early ’80s TV sitcom, "Eh Kasi Babae." As a promising model during those years, she has also entered the world of show business, mastering the craft of being a comedienne. "Tita Bessie" as she was known then, brought a lot of laughter to the Filipino household.

Her affair with the visual arts began when she was only 18 years old, a budding model with hopes of making it big. "I was busy with modeling and one day after rehearsals, I saw these kids doing simple instructions given to them in an art class. So parang feeling ko masarap yatang gawin iyon (I had this feeling that dabbling with art is a fun thing to do), so I tried it. I was under the tutelage of a good artist and from that time on, I got hooked into it. Up to now I’m still taking lessons with my teacher when I’m here in the Philippines."

On family

If there’s one thing that makes Bessie’s eyes twinkle, it’s talking about her family. She notes a strong bond with her three daughters. Isabel, her eldest is already in college, while Blanca is in high school and Ines in elementary.

No different from other mothers, she wants to spend every minute of the day watching her kids grow with the love and support that they deserve. From making lunchboxes, hanging out and playing video games, Bessie has learned how it is to be a teenager in this day and age.

"Since I chose to be a full-time mother, I spend a lot of time with them. I’m room mother to both Blanca’s and Ines’s class, and when Isabel was in high school, I was also room mother to her class," she shares.

Although a doting mother at times, Bessie says that she’s very much a disciplinarian. "When we were here in the Philippines, I was very strict with my kids to the point na napapalo ko na sila (that I even use the rod on them). But in the States, you can’t do that. I just give them the look and they know what I mean," she explains. "I’ve changed a lot. I talk to them and communicate with them, which I think is more effective. I try to know exactly what they want," she adds.

Among the values she and her husband want to teach their children are independence and hard work. "My husband and I decided that our kids should learn how to earn their own allowance while they’re in college. I already did it to my eldest, and I would be doing the same thing to the other two girls because I want them to be independent."

Isabel, who takes up History with double major in English, has worked as a cashier in the school cafeteria to earn her allowance. During summer vacations, she still works for her own funds, an endeavor that merits the approval of her parents.

To further instill industriousness, each member of the family shares in household chores. With no house help unlike the privileged families in Manila, Bessie’s daughters know how to wash their own clothes, clean their own room and make their own beds.

Life ahead

Bessie doesn’t have any particular plans career and family-wise but she considers each day a new beginning, another chance to perfect even the smallest details.

"Each day should come as it is. Whatever comes, I try to make the most out of it, and give my 110% effort," she says. "Maybe for now I plan to be supportive to my kids, to support them in whatever they want to do."

For many years, the life of Bessie Badilla has been an open book. If there was one thing she learned from being in the limelight, it is the value of remaining strong and steadfast.

"Never take rejections personally. It did get me down, but I was very young then. But I learned that rejections are part of life, and maybe there’s something better for us. Just remember not to let rejections put you down," she enthuses.

True enough, this confident and jovial woman has risen above herself and eventually found her blissful place in the arms of a family that loves her just as much, and a world that she can color her own.

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