Jean Garcia: Proudly single, fiercely free

For award-winning actress Jean Garcia, being single isn’t a phase — it’s a lifestyle. And for the past 11 years, it’s one she has fully embraced by choice.

In a recent sit-down with Boy Abunda on Fast Talk with Boy Abunda, Jean was as candid as ever when asked about her relationship status. “What’s good and bad about being single?” the King of Talk asked. Her answer? “Wala nang bad, eh. Puro (There is no bad. It’s all) good, kasi I feel good, I’m happy.”

Now in her 50s, Jean has redefined fulfillment on her own terms — one that no longer hinges on romantic partnerships. “Parang iniisip ko na lang sa sarili ko na mag-aalaga na lang ako ng mga apo ko, ng mga anak ko (It’s like I just tell myself now that I will just take care of my grandchildren),” she said honestly. “Kung hindi ko rin lang mahahanap ‘yung talagang para sa akin… ginawa na lang ng Panginoon na makuntento ka na lang nang mag-isa (If I can’t find the one who’s meant for me, then God will make me feel content with being alone).”

What makes her radiate, Jean explains, is her ability to choose peace and happiness daily. “I don’t take life too seriously,” she said. “Bakit mo iis-stress-in ang sarili mo? Gawa ka ng mga bagay na ‘pag may problema, solusyunan mo unti-unti… ‘This too shall pass,’ ‘di ba? Why should you stress yourself out? Do something, and when you have a problem, find solutions, slowly but surely. This, too, shall pass, right)?”

The queen of primetime drama and iconic kontrabida roles showed a lighter side as she joked with Boy about her views on men. “Mali yata ka ng tinanong, Kuya Boy. Baka mawalan ako ng male viewers (Maybe I’m the wrong person to ask, Kuya Boy. I might lose my male viewers)!” she laughed.

But her thoughts were as empowering as they were frank: “Ang mga lalaki, ‘pag seryoso sila, seryoso sila. ‘Pag hindi, talagang liliko at liliko ‘yan… Maaaring hindi ikaw ang problema. [Maaaring] lalaki ang problema (Men, when they are serious, they are serious. When they are not, they will stray. It could be that you are not the problem. It could be that they are the problem).”

Jean believes every woman has the power of choice — to stay, to walk away, to be happy alone. “Choice nila ‘yon kung magloko sila, maging seryoso sila. Hindi ‘yon kasalanan ng babae. At choice mo rin kung magsi-stay kang martir ka. Or say na parang, ‘Ayokong i-burden ang sarili ko sa ganito (It is their choice, whether they will play around or be serious. That’s not the woman’s fault. And it is your choice if you want to stay and be a martyr. Or say something like, ‘I do not want to burden myself like this),” she said.