Hosted by Melai Cantiveros-Francisco, the Bisaya digital talk show “Kuan on One” returns for its fourth season, with one of its most requested guests, actress Beauty Gonzalez. In an episode released on November 25, Beauty looked back on her humble beginnings before and after her “Pinoy Big Brother” stint, and how her family played a big role in her success today.
Beauty is a proud Bisaya from Dumaguete. She grew up balancing city life and weekends at their family’s sugarcane farm. “Pumupunta ako ng opisina, nagbabantay lang ako. Uupo ako doon at papanoorin ko silang nag-aararo,” she shared. Sometimes she even harvested rice herself to earn an allowance for leisure. She jested that if she were left alone on an island, she would know how to survive.
Born to a Filipina mother and a Spanish father, Beauty grew up with a rich cultural background. Their family was well-known in Dumaguete, but her parents built everything through hard work. “The whole farm was made by my parents, sa sarili nilang sikap,” she proudly said.
Her childhood was full of quirky memories---like cleaning the nails of farm workers at seven years old just to earn money to buy firecrackers. Despite coming from a well-off family, she lived simply. “Sinanay talaga ako ni mama na magtrabaho,” she said, describing her mom as a disciplinarian. Beauty did not take benefit of their wealth and lived ordinarily, which Melai described her to be “rakenrol.”
This upbringing made her outspoken, as her parents wanted her to grow up not being a wallflower. However, her strong personality sometimes made her seem unapproachable. “Ang mga lalaki nahihiya ring manligaw sa akin. Nagugulat sila na para akong woman of my own,” she admitted.
Her journey to “PBB" started with her mom, who insisted she join even when Beauty does not want to. “Sabi ko, bakit sasali ako diyan? Ang sarap na ng buhay ko sa Dumaguete,” she recalled. She was content with her life as a scholar at Silliman University, but her mom pushed her to audition---going as far as making their yaya fall in line for her, which eventually landed her an opportunity to join “PBB Teen Edition Plus” in 2008.
Inside Bahay ni Kuya, Beauty was unapologetically herself, often forgetting there were cameras around. Looking back, she’s thankful. “Mothers know best. Hindi ko inakala na ito ang mangyayari sa buhay ko,” she said. The reality show changed the trajectory of her life, winning 4th place during the big night. When asked what did she enjoy the most in “PBB,” Beauty answered, “Noong walang bumoto sa akin para lumabas ako, [sabi ko] ‘Okay ‘to ah, mananalo ako.’”
After “PBB,” she entered showbiz and experienced culture shock. “Maliit lang ang sweldo. Mas malaki pa ang allowance ko,” she admitted. Her first paycheck was ₱1,500, which she later appreciated because it was her own hard-earned money. Independence became her biggest lesson when she was inside Bahay ni Kuya. “I learned to deal with my money,” she shared.
Her career grew with teleseryes like “Dream Dad,” “Pusong Ligaw,” and the hit “Kadenang Ginto.” She remembered her peak moment in Bohol, judging a beauty pageant where fans screamed for her. “I feel good kasi you know you do your best, you see all the hardships, all the topak and drama mo, something comes out of it.”
Now, as a mother to Olivia, Beauty treasures these experiences as stories she’ll proudly share with her daughter someday.
Enjoy new episodes of “Kuan on One” every Tuesday on the ABS-CBN Entertainment YouTube channel and on iWant.