Celebrity Eagles combine
show biz and studies
Posted: 10:57 PM (Manila Time) | Aug. 27, 2002
By Saleema Devi Refran and Melissa Telan
Inquirer News Service

POP QUIZ: What do veteran actress and television talk show host Janice de Belen, former "G-mik" heartthrob Miko Samson and former "TGIS" love team Dingdong Dantes and Antoinette Taus have in common? They are all true-blue Ateneans.
So how do they cope with the pressures of show biz and the challenges of being students of one of the country's most prestigious universities?

Describe your first day in Ateneo.
Janice (J): Okay naman, nakakapagod, but it was fun. The people are okay. Tingin ko, at first, snobbish 'yung mga tao dito sa Loyola. Pero hindi naman. I was so surprised.
Can you share any Ateneo anecdotes?
J: During Orsem (orientation seminar for incoming freshmen), my TNT (upperclassperson guide) approached me and said, 'Yung isang taga-logcom (logistics committee) may crush sa iyo.' Tapos pinakilala niya siya sa akin, and told him, 'O ayan ah, ayan.' (Laughs). I promised him (the logcom guy) I'd greet him on TV, tapos grineet ko nga siya.
Do you have an Atenean crush?
J: Maraming cute, but they're all half my age -- young enough to be my kids.
What do you love most about Ateneo?
J: I love the feeling of being ordinary. I feel that in Ateneo.
Fears about college?
J: Syempre, I still fear that there might come a time when I have to make a tough choice- to give it [college] up. It's really mahirap eh. Ngayon, hindi ko pa nararamdaman kasi maganda 'yung schedule ko, but what if nasa lottery (registration process for Ateneo upperclasspersons) na ako.
If there is one thing you would like to do before graduation, what would it be?
J: I'd like to act in a play. I was honestly thinking of doing "Isang Buhay sa Tambakan" (a recent production of Tang-halang Ateneo, where Janice is a member) kaya lang, mahirap mag-budget ng time given [that] I work, I have kids and I'm a freshman. But I'd really like to be able do one, maybe the next one.
Being an Atenean means...
J: Being disciplined, doing hard work and being good in Math.