Singer-actress Geneva Cruz had long dreamt about playing a nun on the big screen, perhaps like Julie Andrews in “Sound of Music.”
It has taken Geneva a long while to realize her dream until Bing Pimentel’s stage musical, “Nasaan si Hesus?,” decided to assemble its singing roles for its big screen run. Dennis Marasigan took the task of writing the new script and directing the film.
“I wore a veil every time I would go to church when I was small,” Geneva offered. “My (paternal) Lola Chedeng always reminded me to wear my belo.
“My school at St. Joseph’s in Tondo, Manila, had Daughters of Charity as the sisters there. They were very strict. They were the ones who influenced me to want to become a nun. I guess it was just a phase when you’re young and trying to become who you are.”
The role being assigned to her in “Nasaan si Hesus?” is a singing nun. “I’ve never done a musical in film,” said Geneva, who earlier did musicals onstage, like “Legally Blonde” in 2010.
“What I need to do to prepare is to go back when I was young. I was 11 then. But I got into Smokey Mountain at 14. I also had a crush as early as when I was 12. I realized the nun cannot get married. I realized that at 18.”
She got into a relationship with singer Paco Arespacochaga. “Then I got pregnant at 19. Life happens. Sometimes, you don’t know where your heart leads you.
“I can’t just do things aggressively, although I am not as conservative as my parents. I’m a modern type of mom, but my values being a Filipina is still seriously in me.”
Geneva admits she is now in a relationship with national jiu jitsu athlete and SEA Games gold medalist Dean Roxas.
“It took me five years to get involved again,” Geneva admitted. “We’ve known each other even before, but it was only a year ago when we got reconnected. I admire his discipline as an athlete.
“We really have to start loving ourselves first before we start loving others. That was what I realized in falling in love again. It’s not important that your partner loves you, not just on the outside, but more so on the inside.”
The guy did not expect to be involved with a popular singer-actress like Geneva.
“It really doesn’t matter who you are as long as you’re aligned in your values and what you want to do in life,” Geneva said. “He sees my heart and soul.
“I’m happier now. Life is fleeting. You don’t know what’s going to happen in the future. Of course, we want to be with that certain special person for the rest of our lives.
“When my mom passed away (to COVID in 2021), I realized it’s important to just enjoy the special moments, to love and respect the one that you’re with, focus on that person and not look for someone better and more okay.
“The grass is not always greener on the other side. You just have to focus on the one that you love while you’re loving yourself. That’s the mentality that I have now.”
Geneva’s last film was shown during the pandemic, director Adolf Alix, Jr.’s family drama, “Coming Home,” was an entry during the Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) in 2020.
“I really choose my roles,” said Geneva. “I’m very careful because my 28-year-old son, Heaven and my ten-year-old daughter, London, might not like the project. So the other offers, I beg off from doing them.
“In ‘Nasaan si Hesus,’ I’m singing and I’m so excited to play my role. ‘Sound of Music’ also inspired me to become a nun when I was younger.”
Her eldest, Heaven, raps, records and writes his own songs. “He has a long time girlfriend whom I love,” the mom shared. “He is not really into showbiz, but is into sales.
“Although when there’s a chance for him to perform, like with Gloc 9, he welcomes it. He visited here in March last year and I took him and his girlfriend to Hong Kong. We also went to Boracay.
“Even when he turned eleven years old, Heaven would no longer kiss me in front of his friends. I knew he was growing up. When he turned into a teenager, you would get messages from him once in a blue moon.
“You have to let go, but love them deeply still. I am just waiting to have a grandchild. I’m ready.”
Meanwhile, when it comes to London, Geneva describes her 10-year-old daughter as a “firecracker.” She aspires to be part of a girl group.
“I’m more careful now when I had my daughter,” Geneva said. “My daughter idolizes me. I have to be a good source of inspiration to her. I cannot just do things abruptly. Everything changed, 360-degrees.
“She wants to become a popstar and be part of a girl group,” the mom added. “Have you seen my daughter dance and sing? When I started with Smokey Mountain when I was a teenager, double that.
“Young people these days are different. Performing on TikTok is such a great training for any young artist. TikTok helped me perform even during the pandemic. I didn’t get lonely and depressed. That’s why I’m grateful for TikTok.
“I have this positive mindset, although I know my boundaries as a mom. It’s okay to be sexy like Beyonce or Lady Gaga onstage. That’s a look and an image you project as a performer.
“It’s hard to show too much skin while you’re onstage. Focus on my singing. That’s also important and keeps me excited.”
As an Aries-Dragon, Geneva, who was born in April, is slated to have a birthday concert on April 4 and 5 at the Music Museum.
“We have more performances, concerts and shows now,” Geneva said. “I haven’t been back to the States for five years. I returned here in 2020, before the pandemic. I really want to do many more things.”
Also in the cast of “Nasaan si Hesus?” are Rachel Alejandro, Jeffrey Hidalgo, Janno Gibbs, Marissa Sanchez and Rachel Cabreza. There will be 12 major singing parts, but musical director and arranger TJ Ramos added two new songs. The musical is slated to be shown during the Lenten season and before the mid-term elections.