Katrina Halili has had a long uphill battle to be back to where she was before the Hayden Kho video sex scandal plunged her career to rock bottom more than two years ago.
Though she was clearly the victim and had the public's sympathy, it took more than two years for Halili to get back on her feet. "I was crushed, broken down to pieces in all aspects of my life. It wasn't just my career, but my whole life changed after that," admits Halili, who got involved in an intimate video scandal with the former celebrity doctor and aspiring showbiz personality. Halili took all the ridicule and the embarrassment in her stride, saying "it was the only way to get over it".
"And even when I thought embracing it would instantaneously lead to healing, it didn't. At one point, I thought of quitting and ending it all, but I'm glad something in me kept pushing."
The thought of having lost everything doesn't matter as much any more, because Halili is slowly regaining things. She's busy with TV assignments again, as well as shows abroad. She's being cast in a yet untitled film.
Beyond that, however, it's reclaiming her old self that's been more cathartic. "It's strange — I feel like I am my old self, yet I feel new and invigorated. I guess it's what happens when you somehow die and live again," she philosophises.
The 25-year old actress admitted she felt the whole experience coming back to haunt her when the case she filed against Kho was dismissed in January, but refused to give further details except to say, "I will pursue the case. Justice has to be done, and there must be a way to prevent him from doing this to more women."
Besides Halili, Kho also secretly filmed his sexual trysts with other women, including celebrities. The doctor has since been stripped of his licence.
"My experience has given me a lot of inner strength and maturity. I have learned my lessons from that experience, and I know I am also partly to blame.
"I have forgiven myself and although it might take time I know I will also be able to forgive him," says Halili, showing true strength of character — one of the only few upsides of her ordeal.
Alessandra is Thankful
Alessandra de Rossi is back from Cannes where her film Busong, directed by Aureus Solito, was one of the featured films in the Directors' Fortnight section.
The actress is thankful she'll be back immediately to work — this time she will be one of the lead stars of Sentensyada (Sentenced), a new soap series on GMA 7. The award-winning actress is still being seen on ABS CBN's Green Rose. "I'm extremely thankful I am able to straddle between the two warring networks. My only concern is to work and I'm glad the job has been steady after a slow year last year."
Is IWA Suicidal?
Teen star Iwa Moto has just been released from hospital after an alleged overdose of diet pills in what some say is a suicide attempt.
The actress' camp has denied rumours that she overdosed and that she attempted to kill herself. Her publicist has issued a statement that she was being treated for depression and minor injuries after a squabble with her boyfriend Mickey Ablan, a mixed martial artist, which turned physical.
A decent Proposal
Brazilian Japanese model Daniel Matsunaga has confirmed he and girlfriend, actress Heart Evangelista will be flying later this year to visit his family in Rio de Janeiro.
"We're taking a break from all our commitments. We've been working hard, and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to introduce her to the family. But there isn't going to be a proposal just yet," said Matsunaga, who recently signed a contract with Regal Films. "I never thought of being an actor, but the opportunity came along so I might as well."
There are no definite plans yet, but Matsunaga revealed he might be groomed by the film outfit to be an action star.
