17: What are the top five things a girl should look for in a guy?
He brings out the best in you if he’s self assured. Lots of guys, ayaw nilang lamang ka sa kanila; hihilahin ka lang pababa. Marunong tumawa at marunong magpatawa – para masaya! Marunong makisama sa lahat. Last, yung medyo may brains naman ng konti. Ha, ha, ha!

17: How do you know if a boy's worth it?
If he says something then pinanindigan niya even after a long time. Also, if he adjusts to you. Like if you’re not ready, he adjusts because he understands that you need to do stuff without being his girlfriend. I’ve met a guy like that.

17: How do you turn down too-persistent suitors?
Ignore, then if ‘di na-gets, talk to them respectfully. Corny if I say, “Let’s just be friends”-sampal sa mukha nila yun! Maganda naman yung intention nila so don’t be mean. Just be honest about why ‘di kayo pwede.

17: When was your lowest point and how'd you get back up?
My first breakup at 20. Mga one year akong heartbroken. Nakakaloka yun! It’s totally arguable but I find that the easiest and most fulfilling way to get over an ex is if you find an equally good or even better guy that’ll make you say, “Buti na lang, hindi na kami nung isa!” But not rebound ha!

17: How do you get over a broken heart?
Get busy doing what you love. During “alone time,” listen to really, really sad songs para maiyak mo lahat. Then in school, iwanan mo na lang.

17: Would you give a cheating boyfriend another chance?
Nakita ko talaga? Hindi yung haka-haka lang? Wala nay un, tsugi na!

17: How do you deal with friends who feel insecure with you?
I had a couple of friends I sort of fell out with kasi iba yung views nila about what I do. If mababa tingin nila sa ginagawa mo, those friendships aren’t worth it anymore. Personally, I would never judge whatever a friend chooses to do in life.

17: How do you make up with your folks after a fight?
Woo them. I remind my mom how much I love her. I’m honest about my stand on issues, but que mali ako or not, I’d still say sorry kasi ikaw ang anak, ikaw ang magpakumbaba.

17: How do you bridge the gap between fighting parents?
Be careful with that-it’s double –edged sword. Force it and it might get worse. Maiipit ka between the pushing and pulling. Basta always make the person who raised you feel secure na ‘di mo siya papalitan, na your loyalty is nasa kanya whatever happens.

17: How do you fix a relationship with an estranged parent?
It takes two to tango; you can’t do it on your own. First you must accept what happened, who you both are and what your differences are, what you love and hate-everything. ‘Ika nga, “acceptance is the first step to happiness.”

17: In a single parent household, how do you cope when your parent starts dating seriously?
Naku, masanay ka na! Sumunod ka na lang sa ihip ng hangin. Remember that the happiness a partner gives to your parent is something you can never give to him/her. A parent-child relationship is different from a male-female relationship. It doesn’t mean you’re loved less. But if the partner isn’t nice to you, be honest with your parent about how you feel.

17: How do you make a relationship with a new stepparent work?
Always give the person the benefit of the doubt. Treat them like a friend and try to have as much respect as you can for them, if only ‘cause they’re older.

17: How do you deal if your folks have different ideas about how you should lead your life?
Always give the person the benefit of the doubt. Treat them like a friend and try to have as much respect as you can for them, if only ‘cause they’re older.

17: How do you convince your 'rents to let you leave for college?
You can’t rush it. Awayin mo sila and the more they won’t respect you and your request. Instead, ask how you can prove you’d be okay on your own. Follow their suggestions. When I survived abroad on my own without anything bad happening to me, it showed my parents that I was ready.

17: How do you cope with depression in college?
Don’t be in denial; you have to accept the changes before you can really adjust. First year ko in France, I worked on my French and on getting their (more sarcastic) sense of humor. I made friends that I saw every day and I really forced myself na makibagay.

17: How do you balance full-time studies and working part-time?
Don’t take your life and yourself too seriously. Know the reason why you need to do something or else mawawalan ka ng gana. Go for the gold!

17: What should college teens consider when choosing a career path?
Be honest with yourself: What are you good at and what do you feel you’re best at? What do you love and hate doing? Knowing what you don’t like will help define what you will like. Then choose a career that requires what you have to offer. Others have said I’m good at dealing with very different people so now, I’m in entertainment and do work for the UN.

17: What should a fresh grad avoid when applying for a job?
Too high expectations-don’t expect too much! Also, fear of exploring other options, and not having a Plan B.

17: What do you do when a friend introduces you to drugs?
No one else is gonna take care of you but yourself. Don’t expect people to take care of you.

17: Do you consider someone's rep during a first encounter?
It depends. I believe you have to get to know people on your own. When people think negatively of others, sometimes ‘di naman talaga ganun kalala o ‘di naman talaga totoo.

17: How do you feel about keeping a happy facade even when you're feeling otherwise?
People don’t always have to know if I’m not feeling okay. You don’t wanna vent out to a bystander during a very bad day, right? Also, why leave others feeling bad about and around you if baka first and last meeting niyo nay un, di ba?

17: What's your tip for someone who's always trying to be nice?
Wag kan magpaka-plastic! I’ve never tried to be agreeable for the sake of being agreeable. There’s a fine line between just being nice and knowing how to respect others. Mas importante yung marunong kang rumespeto.

KC by Numbers

1    number of times she’s fallen in love
12  number of songs she’s composed-but none are in her new CD
4    number of hours-longest she’s been on the phone with a boy!
19  number of countries she’s been to on at least five continents
6    number of designer chairs she’s collected so far
1    number of guys she considers as “the One who got away”
7    number of times she’s seen her childhood fave Sharon Cuneta flick,
         Maging Sino Ka Man
5    number of tongues she can speak: fluent English, Filipino, and French;
         conversational Italian and Spanish
2    number of guys she’s said “I love you” to
4    number of jobs she’s had before entering the biz: as dog- sitter,
         secretary, English tutor, and receptionist

KC Then and Now

On Guys:
2002: “I like a guy who’s genuine, without any pretensions, and who doesn’t just put his best foot forward.”
2008: “I’ve dated a pretentious guy na gusto mo na lang talaga sampalin! Hello! Can’t you just be yourself? The worst part? We dated for almost three months!”

2002: “The most special thing a guy did for me: wrote me a song.”
2008: “A guy cooked for me a whole four-course meal, including dessert.”

On Girls:
2003: “I’m inspired by Drew Barrymoore. She’s so natural.”
2008: “Anglina Jolie, for sure. She’s very honest about her past even if others couldn’t accept it. It also inspires me how very committed she is to her UN work.”

On Achievements:
2003: “Three things I’m proudest of: graduating from high school with awards, not growing up as a wayward, wild child, and my debut ‘cause I was able to help a lot of people.”
2008: “My Beauty & The Beast play, my UN work, and resolving my issues with my father.”

On Life:
2003: “Top five wishes: To own a private white-sand island here; to compose, record, and perform a romantic ballad with South Border’s Jay Durias; to have a Franck Muller “Clintree Curvex” Lady’s watch; to see the look on my baby sister’s face when we take her to Disneyland; and to grow sexy, enchanting fairy wings. Ha, ha!”
2008: “A beach house here, learn to fly plane, to become 100 lbs. – okay, 105! - a successful movie career, and to collaborate with Rico Blanco.”

2004: “Best advice I received: Blood is thicker than water.”
2008: “The moment you think you’re so good, you stop being good.”

On Being KC
2003: “One word to describe myself: Ready.”
2008: “Game!”