Kiray Celis. Photo from Kiray's Instagram account
MANILA -- Actress-turned-businesswoman Kiray Celis fired back at critics who questioned her decision to focus on online selling instead of full-time acting, arguing her business has given her financial rewards that years of taping did not.
“May nag-comment nang naglilive ako — sabi 'yuck online seller na lang'. Gusto ko sabihin, 'doon umayos buhay ko.' Hindi siya online seller lang. Hindi ko kaya sabihin yung 'lang' kasi doon umayos buhay ng pamilya ko,” she said at the Purple Hearts Thanksgiving party.
The Kiray Brands owner stressed that her income from online selling significantly improved their quality of life.
“Hindi ko kaya bumili ng gamit kahit mag-taping ng matagal. 'Di ko kaya Land Cruiser, ng van sa mama ko, 'di ko kaya. Ang dami 'di ko kaya kung taping lang,” she explained. “Lahat ito online lang kaya hindi siya 'lang,' hindi siya 'yuck,' at 'di siya nakakadiri.”
She added that her earnings now allow her to even support her extended family.
“Ngayon ako na nagpapaaral sa mga pamangkin ko lahat, dati baon baon lang. Dahil sa 'online lang' na sinasabi nila. Kaya salamat sa patuloy bumibili ng products ko,” she said.
Celis, however, acknowledged that her showbiz career was vital in growing her business.
“Iba rin pakiramdam kasi na kaya sila bumibili kasi kilala na nila ako bilang artista. Mas madali magbenta kasi ako si Kiray na artista,” she said.
While Celis said she is not closing her doors on returning to acting, she stressed that she will only take on a project when her business allows her to fully commit her time.
In the meantime, she said she is focusing on growing Kiray Brands with her husband Stephan Estopia.
READ: Kiray Celis marries Stephan Estopia in star-studded church wedding
According to Celis, Estopia plays a significant role in her business.
“Asawa ko hindi kaya na hindi ako samahan. Kaya akala ng iba wala siya ginagawa kasi driver ko, kasama ko lagi. Pero kasi pag nasa office, siya naghahandle ng tao, ng stocks. Nang pina-try niya ko mag check ng nawawalang project, waybill, hilong hilo ako. Kaya niya. Sobrang swerte ko,” she said.
While the couple are inseparable, Celis revealed during their courtship, they “never” had a date with just the two of them.
According to her, her mother required a chaperone whenever they went out on dates.
“Never kami nag-date ng kami lang. Lagi kasama kapatid ko, kaibigan ko, sila. Kaya nang naging kami na hindi ka sanay,” Celis recalled in an interview in Taguig City.
The actress shared that while she has been adjusting to and loving married life, she and her husband were so used to always having company that being alone together initially felt unusual after tying the knot.
“Kahit nang honeymoon namin, may kasama kami. Feeling namin boring pag kami lang — ang labo! Pero masarap kasi may kasama. Pag kami lang sa kwarto, OK lang. Pero sanay kami may kasama,” she reasoned.
READ: Kiray Celis trying for baby, hoping for seven kids
Kiray opened up about how her mother had always been protective of her throughout her career.
“Nanay ko sobrang strict. Mama ko hindi nawawala 'yan sa mga taping ko. Natigil lang ng pandemic. Kasi siyempre natakot ako. Kasi senior na parents ko. Doon nag start yung hindi na ako samahan,” she explained.
“Pero ever since from 3 years old to pandemic, sobrang bantay sarado.”