Tears before laughter: ang ‘Tunay na Buhay’ ni Chariz Solomon

 

Chariz Solomon was one of the first contestants who got eliminated in the reality-based artista search “Starstruck” Batch 4. But with her funny personality, she made her own mark as one of GMA’s rising sexy comediennes, regularly starring in “Bubble Gang,” “IBilib,” and “Pepito Manaloto.” 

 

Her high-pitched voice, funny antics, and sexy physique were her secrets to tickling viewers’ attention. But behind Chariz’ comic aura, would you believe that she has a scarred past?

 

A broken family

 

Chariz is the eldest among four kids of an Irish-Filipino soldier and a Filipina entertainer in Japan. At the young age of four, her parents got separated.

 

“Sa Daddy ko sinasabi niya ‘yung mama ko masyadong family-oriented, so matulungin siya sa mga kapatid niya,” Chariz said.  “Ang problema siyam yung kapatid niya. Siyempre ‘pag may sarili ka ng family ‘yung priorities mo nagbabago na. Sa case ng mama ko sobrang gusto niyang tulungan talaga ['yung mga kapatid niya].”

 

With her parents calling it quits, Chariz and her four siblings had to live separately with their other relatives.
 

 

“Hiwa-hiwalay kami kaya iba-iba talaga ‘yung ugali,” she said. “Meron pang time natatandaan ko pupunta ako sa kapitbahay, tapos aakyat ako sa 2nd floor nila kasi meron silang malaking window. Tapos si kambal [referring to her brothers, Fourth and Fifth] aakyat sila doon sa terrace ng Tito ko tapos mag-ha-hi kami.”

 

Estudyante blues

 

Growing up, Chariz did well in her academics but her family situation also affected her negatively. She admitted that she once tried shoplifting.

 

“Naranasan ko mag-shoplift. Basta feeling ko lang kulang din ako sa guidance kasi hindi ako masaya sa buhay ko [kaya ko 'yun nagawa],” Chariz said. Luckily, she got away with it.
 

 

Chariz entered college at the University of Santo Tomas, taking up Tourism. Unfortunately, she was not able to finish her studies.

 

“Kasi ang tagal ko nang hindi masaya. Simula nang nawala ang Mama ko, hindi talaga ako masaya,” she said.

 

After dropping out of college, she tried to follow her mom to Japan to work as an entertainer but her visa application was denied. Since it was already too late for Chariz to enroll, she had nothing to keep herself busy. Then came an offer to audition for “Starstruck,” and the rest, as they say, is history.

 

Bit player days

 

Chariz may not have won “Starstruck,” but she became a regular segment host of the showbiz talk show “Startalk.” In 2007, she played as Marian Rivera’s best friend in the movie “My Best Friend’s Girlfriend.”  Since then, she got more offers from various GMA telefantasyas, soap operas, and comedy shows.

 

When asked if she never gets frustrated for always being in a supporting role, Chariz said, “Kung bibigyan nila ako [ng leading role] okay lang. Siyempre masaya ako hindi naman ako ipokrita. Pero siyempre mas masaya ako na support lang. Masaya ako working ng may kasama at may team.”

 

Learning from the past
 

 

Chariz is now a mother to her 10-month old baby, Apollo, with husband Nestor Ng whom she married in 2012. 

 

Because of her past, Chariz admitted that she wants to be a hands-on wife and mom to her family. She does not want her child to experience the same things she had undergone before.

 

“Gusto ko talaga ako lahat kahit paghugas ng puwet niya, pagpalit ng diaper niya. Kaya siguro gusto ko rin mag-breast feed kasi gusto ko talaga ibigay sa kaniya lahat ng best. Gusto ko nandiyan ako sa lahat ng araw niya,” she said.
 

At this point in her life, Chariz still believes she is a work in progress. 

 

“Ngayon na 25 na ako bini-build ko pa rin yung sarili ko, yung pagkatao ko, ‘yung pagiging mature sa mga bagay,” she said. 

 

Despite all of her hardships in life, she remains optimistic and hopeful, parting with this message:

 

“Happiness is a choice talaga. You can choose to be happy or not to be happy kahit ano pa ‘yung kinalalagyan mong sitwasyon.” -Gerald Vista/ARP/BMS