“VIRAL” was not a common thing yet two decades ago when actress Diana Zubiri became famous for her controversial pictorial in her two-piece bikini atop the EDSA-Mandaluyong flyover.

Diana, who is Rosemarie Joy Smith in real life, was only 17 years old when she gave her nod to that pose that created a stir and led to a case of grave scandal in the office of then Mandaluyong Mayor Ben Abalos. Diana created a headline-hogging issue without any social media yet.

“Looking back, I didn’t actually feel while it was happening before,” Diana said. “I was still very new in showbiz and I still had no idea how grave it was at that time. I remembered I started in that pose and I became known after that.

“Today, any artist, you can just see on your cellphone. The popularity of any artist or celebrity largely depends on social media. I had no regrets when I did that magazine pose. People would always remember that.”

Diana made it a point to finish her studies even at the height of her showbiz projects and motherhood to her eldest child (King). She became a single mother after her first husband died.

“My schedule then was divided between work, school and my son,” Diana shared. “I couldn’t accept all the offers because of school. Those were my sacrifices. I didn’t just rely on my stock knowledge because I have not been in school for a long while.

“I would cry because I would see my younger classmates. I had my insecurities then. But I was happy because in an all-girls’ school, I got along well with my classmates. We did go out occasionally.

I was careful to become just a good influence to them. I managed to finish my studies.”

Six years of college wasn’t bad for Diana, who received her diploma in 2015, when she finished her Communication Arts degree from Miriam College.

Shortly after she received her college diploma, Diana tied the knot with Filipino-Australian businessman, Andy Smith in 2015.

Her transition to become a hands-on mom when her family moved to Australia, became a challenge for Diana.

“I didn’t experience that in Manila because we had household help,” she said. “When I got tired, I could always give the baby to the nanny. Today, I do things on my own, with the help of Andy.

“Every day, I always pray to help me get through everything I need to do everyday,” she shared. “I sometimes get to my lowest point as a mom and I ask myself so many questions, ‘Kaya ko pa ba?”

The couple decided to migrate to Adelaide (Australia) in early 2021, a year after Diana gave birth to their youngest baby. “I couldn’t work in lock-in tapings at that time because of our baby,” she shared.

“I gave birth alone. No member of the family was allowed inside the room. They were very strict at that time. That was sad for me.

“After I gave birth in 2000, we got a passport for our youngest, then we got a visa and waited for almost a year before we were given a chance to travel. That’s why we went to Australia where there were no COVID cases.”

In Australia, Diana transitioned from being a celebrity to a work-from-home mom and housewife who worked late-night to attend to her business.

“My husband and I are owners of Bigo Agency,” allowed Diana. “We recruit hosts from all over who are willing to go into live streaming from the Philippines, Australia, United Kingdom and the US.

“Every day, I just choose to be kind,” Diana said. “Do the right thing every day. I always pray to God to help me get through every day. Sometimes, being a mother, you get to the lowest point in life. You had many questions. Can I still make it? But He never fails me.”

Apparently, after more than three years, Diana has adjusted to her “simple and ordinary” life out of the limelight and as a homemaker in Australia.

“That was my life back in Manila when I didn’t have taping or shooting,” she admitted. “No make-up. So, it was not hard for me to adjust.

“Sometimes, when I went to the mall, there were Filipinos who still recognize me. Their culture in Australia, they hardly disturb other people. But they apologize before trying to pose for a picture with me.

“Malls in Australia are only up to 5 p.m., so most of the people there are family-oriented. We went mostly go to parks in the afternoon.”

The couple’s life in Australia is still widely followed on TikTok, YouTube and Instagram. “We had no idea what would go viral,” Diana said. “We didn’t mean to become vloggers.”

Diana’s eldest is King, 16, followed by Aaliyah or Lele, 9. The youngest, Mimi, is four.

Her daily life in Adelaide consists of preparing her children for school with the help of her hubby. Then, she will cook breakfast as Andy tries to go back to sleep.

“I have yet to learn how to cook real food,” Diana lamented. “Bacon and eggs are ideal for our breakfast. I also cooked steamed vegetables when Andy and I went on a diet. We tried to return to working out recently. We both lost weight so fast.”