TONI'S TEN

[WOMEN'S HEALTH: Eat More, Lose More Special JULY 2012] 

WANT TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS AND LIVE A FULFILLED LIFE? HERE ARE 10 LESSONS YOU CAN PICK UP FROM TONI'S LIFE EXPERIENCES

1. DREAM BIG.

"When other kids were still watching cartoons, I was already searching for auditions on TV," she tells WH. At 13, when her teacher asked her what she wanted to be when she grew up, she answered unequivocally, "I want to be an international star. I want to make it huge in the industry." Shes's living her dream and loving every minute of it.

2. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF.

Toni is used to her every action being under scrutiny. "If there's one thing I learned in this bussiness after so many years, I wish I ignored more of the negative stuff that was thrown at me or said against me. It saves you a lot of heartache and pain if you just learn how to ignore and just focus on your goals and your dreams."

3. MAKE TIME FOR FITNESS.

Exercise keeps Toni ready to face the world. She makes it a point to work out at least twice a week. "If you really have a goal to get the body you want, you will really make time for it." She enjoys dance classes. Toni just finished learning burlesque dancing, which she finds fun because it enhances her confidence and makes her feel sexy. She also does Bikram yoga. Of the benefits of exercise, Toni says, "You're more energetic, you're in the mood."

4. NEVER GIVE UP.

"Always believe that failures are just delayed successes. It's not a hindrance or it shouldn't stop you from achieving what you want."

Even during those times when she went to audition after audition and failed, she didn't dwell on the frustration and just kept going.

"I didn't really focus on the failures. I was so determined to get to where I want to be kaya I didn't mind whatever hardships I've been through."

5. LEARN FROM YOUR FAILURES.

When Toni was 13, she joined the 1987 Metropop Singing Competition. She didn't win, and while making the rounds, she heard a person say she was too young and unfocused. "That really hit me," she admits. "That's how people saw me; that I wasn't focused on what I was doing at that time...That really pushed me so hard. I wanted to prove him wrong." And she did.

6. LOVE AND TRUST YOUR PARTNER.

Toni has been with her boyfriend, film director Paul Soriano, for five years, and she hopes he'll be the man she says "yes" to at the altar a few years from now. There's no secret to their strong bond, Toni says, except for putting God at the center of their relationship, "and mutual respect for each other, undestanding, and the will to ae committed."

7. DON'T LET CRITICISM FAZE YOU.

When she was younger, Toni experienced a lot more rejection than success, but she didn't let the situation discourage her. "When people tell you you're not good enough, don't mind them."

8. AIM HIGHER.

Toni may have already achieved a lot of things in life, but she's setting new goals for herself. She recently enrolled at the University of the Philippines Open University to finish her degree in English. She also wants to produce her own concert and movie in the future.

9. VALUE YOUR FAMILY.

Toni loves her family and considers them her inspiration. One of the most important lessons she's learned in life is to obey her parents' she says. They taught her to always respect others. "For you to be respected, yot earn it. You don't imposd it on people. It's very important to give that respect." Toni also shares a close bond with her sister, Alex, who is also an actress.

10. CELEBRATE SUCCESSES.

Toni's climb to fame wasn't easy, but now that she's gotten to where is now, she doesn't forget to look back at her journey. She tells WH that her three happiest moments in shobiz so far are landing a job as a co-host on Eat Bulaga, transferring to ABS-CBN, and celebrating her 10th year anniversary at the Araneta Coliseum. "I never thought I'd be given that chance to celebrate that huge in a dome like that!"

[WOMEN'S HEALTH: Eat More, Lose More Special JULY 2012]