VERY few knew that Geneva Cruz lived for one year in the house of her fellow performers Jay-R and Kris Lawrence, two of her closest friends in the business.

“After KC (Montero) and I separated (2013), I stayed with Kris and Jay-R and I had my own room,” Geneva shared. “I am very close to them, especially to Kris (Lawrence). I was with Am-boy (American boys) friends.

“I was lost during that time. But it helped that I was in a safe place. KC also preferred it that way because he knows Jay-R and Kris. They are like brothers to me.”

Geneva is more discerning about the relationships she will enter into now. “Been there, done that,” she admitted. “I’m actually very joyful and happy now, even without a partner. Even if I am not into a relationship.

“I think kaya nag-work ‘yung relationship namin ni KC, sobrang love niya ‘yung kids ko. Sobrang love niya si Heaven and si London.

“I have a nine-year-old daughter, London because she was conceived there. We like the same things. We love K-dramas, K-pop. We love to dance. We love the same clothes and we even love to travel together around the Philippines.

Heaven is arriving next month from the US, where the 19-year-old boy lives with his dad, Paco Arespacochaga. Heaven is in a relationship with a Latina.

Now that Geneva Cruz is marking her 35 years in show business, she continues to perform live onstage.

On February 13, she will mount the stage of The Palace in Olongapo City in the concert series, King and Queen of Heart. R&B (rhythm and blues) prince Kris Lawrence takes centerstage on February 14 and 15.

Geneva and Kris throw their all-out support to their manager, Arnold Vegafria, who owns the posh entertainment venue that opened last year.

The four-level entertainment hub boasts of a fine-dining restaurant, events place, live band stage at the first level and a sports bar and KTV rooms at the second level. Soon to open are hotel rooms at the third and fourth floors.

For her Valentine’s concert, Geneva will wear sexy outfits onstage. “Yung maraming tinatanggal, para masaya,” she smilingly said. “Kapag wala ka talagang partner sa Valentine’s Day, magtatanggal ka na lang ng outfits sa stage. Parang pang-Las Vegas. In a way, exciting pa rin.”

Geneva’s preferred designer is Eric Pineda. She designs a lot of outfits, both formal and casual, which Eric executes. “Tito Eric knows the shape of my body,” Geneva said. “I really want him to do my outfits.”

“Pero hindi naman ako hubadera,” Geneva countered “Sa stage lang. Kabisado ko na rin kung ano ang bagay sa akin.

“Pagmamahal sa craft and for your music. Nakakapagod pa rin, especially the travels. I still go to Davao, Cebu, to perform. But my performances, even one hour or two hours, mas tumatagal pa.

Kasi sobrang enjoy ako. Mahal ko ang trabaho ko.”

Geneva recently joined the cast of GMA 7’s top-rating teleserye, ‘Abot-Kamay ang Pangarap.’ “Nanggugulo lang ako doon ng konti,” she shared. “But I’m flattered and honored to be in that teleserye.

“I don’t know if GMA is still getting new characters to join the series. But I guess to make the story really more colorful, new characters have been tapped to come in.”

AUTHOR PROFILE

Leah C. Salterio