Ara Mina said she’s of the belief that fellow actor Vic Sotto won’t harbor negative feelings about her inclusion in the slate of Pasig mayoralty aspirant Sarah Discaya, the rival of the latter’s son and incumbent Mayor Vico Sotto.

The actress is running for councilor in Pasig’s District 2 under the slate of Discaya, who Vico is asking the Commission on Elections to disqualify since October 2024. Former Miss Universe Philippines national director Shamcey Supsup-Lee is also eyeing a seat in the city council under the same slate.

In an interview with showbiz media recently, Ara spoke of Vic’s good character and said he is not likely to take personal her decision to seek public office and be on the other side of the fence.

Ara and Vic worked together in the 2003 film “Fantastic Man” where the actress-turned-aspiring politician starred as his love interest possessed by an evil spirit.

“Knowing Bossing [Vic], matalinong tao [siya] hindi para magkaroon ng gan’ung problema. May kanya-kanya naman tayong preference and kanya-kanyang journey. I don’t think sasama loob ni Bossing sa gan’un (Knowing Bossing, he’s a smart man to not have problems over something like this. We all have our own preferences and journey. I don’t think he will harbor ill feelings about it),” she said, addressing Vic using his popular moniker.

‘Sign’ from the Lord

The actress also said she doesn’t know Vico personally since she only had the chance to get to know Vic. She nonetheless explained that being part of Discaya’s slate was a “sign” from God.

“I don’t personally [know] Vico kasi si Bossing lang ang nakasama ko sa trabaho, kumbaga wala talaga akong personal [relationship] with Mayor Vico. Si Ate Sarah [Discaya] talaga ‘yung binigay sa’kin ni Lord para pumasok sa public service,” she said.

(I don’t personally know Vico because I only worked with Bossing. I don’t have a personal relationship with Mayor Vico. Ate Sarah is what the Lord gave to me so I can enter public service.)

“Nagdadasal pa ako for a sign [n’un]. Maga-ask ako sa pamilya ko. Parang three months bago mag-decide to run. ‘Yung sign, sa’kin na lang ‘yun kasi ang dami (I was praying for a sign at the time. I even asked my family. It took me three months before deciding to run. In terms of the sign, I would rather keep it to myself because they’re so many),” she said.

Celebrity pols

Ara was also asked for her reaction to fellow actor Romnick Sarmenta’s statement about not supporting celebrities running for public office, to which she said that the actor is entitled to his opinion.

On February 20, Sarmenta said on X (formerly Twitter) that he’s taking a stand against famous personalities entering politics, reiterating that he won’t endorse any celebrity candidates.

“It’s his opinion. I respect his opinion naman. Kanya-kanya tayong opinion,” Ara said. “Hindi kasi ako mala-’talaga ba’ kasi iba-iba tayo ng opinyon at paniniwala. Alam niyo naman ako sa showbiz, never ako nakisali [sa mga usap-usapan]. Basta ‘yung kay Romnick, I respect his opinion.”

(It’s his opinion. I respect his opinion. We have our own opinions. I’m not the type of person to waste her time dealing with other people’s different opinions and beliefs. You know me in showbiz — I don’t engage in talks like that. In terms of Romnick, I respect his opinion.)

Incidentally, Ara comes from an old political clan in Quezon City, being the granddaughter of its former mayor Ismael “Mel” Mathay through his son, Chuck Mathay.