MANILA, Philippines—“I was just 19 when I married him. I didn’t listen when my parents tried to stop me. I didn’t know what I was in for,” said actress Princess Punzalan of her failed marriage to TV host Willie Revillame.

“I wasn’t emotionally ready,” Princess, daughter of the late show biz icon Helen Vela, admitted. She is now married to American businessman Jason Field and based in Sta. Monica, Los Angeles, California. “When I married Jason in 2005, I was ready,” she said. “I was determined to make it work. I was even willing to give up show biz to be with him.”

Princess said she lost touch with her ex-husband when she left the country, but said that she and Willie have remained friends. “There’s no animosity between us” she stressed.

She always knew that Willie (currently host of ABS-CBN’s top-rating noontime game show “Wowowee”) would succeed and become famous, Princess said.

“When I told him that, he simply laughed,” she told Inquirer Entertainment. “I remember that moment very clearly. We were at the Megamall parking lot when I had this strong impression in my heart that I had to tell him, ‘You’ll become so popular that people will listen to whatever you say.’ He just said, ‘Talaga?’ A few years ago, he called to tell me that what I said might already be happening. I told him, ‘Just don’t forget to always be grateful to God.’”

Princess is on a break from Nursing studies at the Sta. Monica College and is in town. She has appeared on QTV 11 shows “Sweet Life” and “Full-time Moms.” She has also agreed to a short stint on the fantasy-drama show, “The Last Prince,” on GMA 7.

Why did you choose Nursing instead of a course related to your work here?

I also thought of studying to be a stylist. I enjoy styling hair, experimenting with makeup, making other people beautiful. When I was much younger, I dreamt of becoming a doctor. I was just not willing to study 12 years for it. When I become a nurse, I’ll still be caring for others.

When you left for the United States in 2005, what was your plan?

I didn’t really have a plan. I started acting when I was 9, and when I left, I was nearing 40. It was hard to leave my life here, but one goes where love is. I wanted a quiet life, [although in the first] few months... I was disoriented with the culture.

How did you adjust?

My husband said, “You can’t stay inside the house forever; you have to go out.” The first time I did go out, para akong promdi. I saw snow on the streets and icicles right outside our window and I could only say, “Wow ang ganda!” When we went to the upper peninsula of Michigan, one of the coldest areas in the United States, it was six degrees below zero. I saw the most amazing thing — the beach was frozen. It was breathtaking!

What helped me adjust was a good sense of what’s important in life. I was happy and at peace; that’s what I really wanted.

Did your being a celebrity here help in any way?

The opportunities didn’t come because I was a celebrity here. That’s one other thing I like about my life there. I am more comfortable dealing with people who don’t recognize me. I can be myself, say whatever I want.

You’re turning your back on show biz?

I love acting, but there’s a time and a season for everything. I was in show biz in the 1980s and ’90s. Dapat, iba na. What’s important to me now is my husband. When I become a nurse, that will be my life. Several friends are egging me to pursue an acting career there, but I’d rather have a normal life now.

How’s married life?

Masaya. Most of the time, I’m just with Jay. He takes good care of me and is very open-minded. He’s a bookworm. I learn a lot from him and we talk about anything. Best of all, whatever the situation, we manage to make each other laugh.