Friends, family reveal Rochelle Pangilinan's low-key offscreen life on 'Tunay na Buhay'

  Having grown up poor in the often-flooded city of Malabon, Rochelle remembers waking up to rising floodwater and catching fish that escaped from overflowing fish pens. From helping her father, a fisherman, by mending nets, Rochelle joined dance contests in high school, was discovered by choreographer Joy Cancio, led the dance group Sexbomb Girls, and crossed over into acting for film and television.   The GMA Public Affairs biography program 'Tunay na Buhay' recently interviewed a number of Rochelle's family and friends, who talk about the star's offscreen life as a caring, talented woman who remains grounded despite her fame. [Related Video: Silipin ang Kwento ng Tagumpay ni Rochelle Pangilinan sa 'Tunay na Buhay']   From Baby Pangilinan, Rochelle’s mother: Though their family was poor, Rochelle’s mother, Baby, says her daughter understood their situation and did not ask for much. “Mahirap kami, salat sa lahat,” says Baby. “[Pero] kapag sinabihan mo [si Rochelle] nang ‘wala tayong pambili,’ hindi na siya mangungulit.”   From The Sexbomb Girls: Though Rochelle went solo in 2007, the Sexbomb Girls speak of their former group leader with great respect. “Good leader [si Rochelle],” says Aira Bermudez. Cheche Tolentino adds, “Flexible [si Rochelle]. Pwede siya maging follower, pwede rin siya maging leader.”   Meanwhile, Mia Pangyarihan talks about their group’s close bond: “Parang halos magkapatid na kami. Magkakasama na kaming lumaki, sabay-sabay.”   From Gloc 9, the veteran rapper who collaborated with Rochelle on her solo album 'Roc-A-Holic':  “Yung instructions ko sa paggawa ng rap, ginagawa niya. Walang tanong-tanong.”   From Arthur Solinap, Rochelle’s longtime boyfriend whom she met on the set of 'Daisy Siete': “Noong una, tinutukso lang [kami ni Rochelle] ng mga ibang Sexbomb. Sinasakyan lang namin ‘yung joke, pero sa sarili namin, ‘Di ko type to,’” admits Arthur. “Naka-tatlong season ako sa ‘Daisy Siete.’ Doon ko talaga nakilala [si Rochelle], na iba pala ‘yung personality niya sa image niya.”   Arthur loves it when Rochelle cooks. “Kapag galing ako sa taping, sasabihin niya, ‘Daan ka muna sa bahay. May surprise ako sayo.’ Tapos, ‘yun. Lulutuan niya ako,” he says with a smile. “Favorite ko ‘yung afritada na ginagawa niya. ‘Yun nga ‘yung dinala niya sa akin sa ‘Survivor.’”   “Ang pinakagusto ko [kay Rochelle] ‘yung pagiging sweet niya at sobrang maasikaso, at ‘yung pagmamahal niya sa family.”   "Yung sobrang gusto ko sa kanya kasi doon na rereflect ‘yung … pag nagkaroon kami ng pamilya balang araw, alam ko na ganoon din ‘yung gagawin niya sa magiging pamilya namin.”—Cristina Tantengco/PF, GMA News