LJ Reyes is an actress born from the second season of talent search Starstruck on network GMA 7. While finishing in the final four of the reality show, LJ Reyes was quick to realize how difficult the entertainment industry can be.
In 2004, we saw the making of a star. LJ shared to this writer that she was fortunate enough that her audition for the reality show went well. When LJ wasn’t able to rehearse for a dance, she opted to sing, which resulted to one of the judges asking her if she has other talents. She then gave a show with her impeccable dance moves that the judges and the Starstruck audience loved.
Balancing school and being in showbiz has been the most difficult thing for LJ. When she was still a student, going to school in the morning and then to tapings, shoots, and pictorials in the afternoon and evenings was a schedule she had to get used to–even if it wasn’t the easiest thing to do. She even jokingly said that, at the time, she had to find time to nap and take a bath because her schedule was so hectic.
When asked what other career she would be interested in, she said she would like to be in the banking industry. As someone who studied economics, LJ has always been fascinated with finance and banking. In fact, according to her, she has always dreamed of working for Bangko Central ng Pilipinas. Currently, she is in the last stretch of her college degree and wishes to continue her studies and someday get a Master’s degree.
When talking about her most memorable experiences in showbiz, LJ shares it was when she won the Best Actress award at the 13th Pacific Meridian International Film Festival in Russia for her performance in the indie film entitled “Anino sa Likod ng Buwan”. She recalls getting a message from the film’s director while she was in Bohol and not finding words to describe that moment. The award is her first, and she was happy that her performance also got nods in the international scene. This recognition was followed by another Best Actress award for the same film from the 39th Gawad Urian–a prestigious award-giving body in the Philippines.
In the midst of her thriving showbiz career, to be able to balance being a good mom and a good actress, LJ admits there are some projects she had to say no to, to spend more time with her son, Aki, who is six years old. According to LJ, motherhood has helped her become a better person, and she is blessed that Aki is the sweetest little boy who takes away all her stress every day.
Being a mom can be the most difficult thing in the world, and that is the reason why she made MAPP. Mapp, or Mommy App, aims to help moms with their mommy duties like managing everyday chores and other struggles like finding kid friendly restaurants, finding kid friendly changing rooms, and finding first aid areas in public areas. The Mapp app also has a symptom checker to determine illnesses of kids.
2017 is going to be an exciting time for LJ. She will be starring in GMA7’s new soap titled Pinulot Ka Lang Sa Lupa, playing the lead antagonist opposite Julie Anne San Jose. The film is from the comic novel and was made into a film starring Lorna Tolentino, Gabby Concepcion, and Maricel Soriano.
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All photos from Instagram.com/lj_reyes
