Catching up with Donna Cruz
ROVING Eye had an interesting phone conversation last week with Cebu-based singer Donna Cruz, who gave up her career after marrying Dr. Yong Larrazabal in 1998. She was at the height of her career but did not hesitate to turn her back from singing — which she very much loves — as well as acting in favor of marriage.
Since getting married, Donna fully embraced her life as wife to Yong and mother to their kids – Belle, 21; Cian, 17; and Gio, 13. She rarely accepts singing engagements or acting assignments because she wants to spend as much time as possible with her family.
“I’ve always dreamed of having a simple family life with my husband and kids even b e f o r e. Of course, I also miss singing, my friends from showbiz and my cousins. But it’s OK since you can greet your friends and love ones on your cellphone. You can even chat with them. It’s hard lang na may pandemic because you tend to worry. You can’t visit your friends even if you want too.”
In a special video tribute to frontliners, Donna invited Tom Rodriguez, Geneva Cruz, Christian Bautista, Morissette, Celeste Legaspi, Rachel Alejandro, Franco and Ayen Laurel, Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez, Raymond Lauchengco, Jolina Magdangal, Pops Fernandez, Ogie Alcasid, Lovi Poe and Sharon Cuneta to join her. She was thrilled their all said yes to a project that can now be viewed on the Facebook page of Professional Artist Managers Inc. or PAMI. Donna sings her version of “Habang May Buhay” in the tribute.
She related that it took her less than 30 minutes to finish writing the new lyrics for the Wency Cornejo original. Incidentally, the song is also the title of her previous movie with Ian de Leon under Viva Films.
She said the work of the frontliners inspires her so much led by her husband who continues to treat patients despite the threat of Covid-19.
“I know Yong has a hard job and we know he has to be extra careful when he goes out to work. When he comes home, he heads straight to our guest room to take a bath before he joins me and the kids for dinner. The frontliners are our real heroes,” said Donna. Meanw h i l e, noting that her youngest son Gio joined her in a TV commercial, The Roving Eye asked if she would all ow him to join showbiz if he eventually wants to. “There is no problem with me as long as he won’t neglect his studies. I will support anything he wants to do. I will be happy for him in case he wants to do that. But the problem is mahirapsiyapakiusapankasi I think kasinagbibinatana. I am not the type of mom who’d force him to sing with me in an event or something. If he doesn’t like to sing I won’t push him,” she disclosed.