Alex and Toni Gonzaga (MNS Photo)
With her hit series “Pure Love” and the just concluded “The Voice Kids,” actress-host Alex Gonzaga has finally stepped out from the giant shadow of her sister Toni Gonzaga.
Speaking to reporters at the press conference for her 15th anniversary concert “Celestine” on October 3 at SM Mall of Asia Arena, Toni said she’s happy that fans can now judge – and appreciate – them based on their own merits.
“Nase-separate na nila kung sino ako at kung sino siya at kung ano ang kaya niyang gawin na hindi ko kayang gawin at kaya kong gawin na hindi niya magagawa. Kasi for the longest time people keep on …parang kina-clash nila kami, pinagko-compete nila kami when in fact there’s really no competition,” Toni said.
“Kung ako lang talaga ang masusunod ay ibibigay ko lahat sa kapatid ko. I think she waited long enough and I think she’s ripe na, right age where she can take full responsibility of doing all those things na kaya niyang gawin for the industry,” she added.
Toni also clarified that Alex isn’t just “copying” her hosting style, noting that her sister had been hosting back when she was a student.
“Lagi siyang president ng student council. Talagang she always want to take a lead sa mga kasabayan niya noon. Talagang may sariling personality si Alex,” Toni added.
Gonzaga even considers herself a “stage sister” to Alex, who earned praises for her stint on “The Voice Kids.”
“Lagi naman akong stage sister hindi pa siya artista. I’m so proud of her. Kasi dalawa lang kami. Hindi ko talaga ma-gets ‘yung kailangan magka-rival ang magkapatid. Eh dapat nga ay nagtutulungan kayo kasi kung ano ang pera ko, pera niya, ‘yung pera niya, pera ako. Parang kung mayaman siya eh makakahingi ako sa kanya at ganun din naman siya sa akin. So I think more than being rivals, we are actually a team,” Toni said.
“I think God has prepared her already,” Toni continued. “She’s been through to so much and she heard a lot of hurtful things but she’s still standing. What is important is that like me I always tell her just never give up on your dreams. If you know in your heart that you can do it, you can.”
But the one area where Toni believes Alex is not yet ready for is love.
“Single pa din siya. Ang ingay ng bibig niya, walang tatagal,” she said. (MNS)