ecause old folks say so—that's why every kid who is thankfully young enough not to have their share of real adult failure yet wants to be someone big when they grow up. All insist that they'd be a doctor, lawyer, architect, or engineer someday. Hanging a bronze nameplate of their son or daughter's name with a big “ATTORNEY-AT-LAW” or “DOCTOR” below it seems to be every parents dream. Well, can't argue here—we admit these professionals goons fare well in life's grand ball.

But outside the normal curve of ambition is one fine lass that'd once said otherwise. “When I was a kid, I've always wanted to be a saleslady of a department store.”

Thank God women change their minds. Thank God Julia Clarete changed her mind. Or else she wouldn't be on TV or, more importantly, on these pages. She'd be standing all day at a department store, each hour a step closer to having varicose veins.

The trim filly's been a radical dreamer for years. Now at 26, Julia has dropped the selling agenda and is determined to take her career to its apex—not only here but in Hollywood , she being a finalist in the reality TV show Hollywood Dream. So you think you have what it takes to woo Julia the fantasist? Before you try, better read on.

What keeps your hands full?

I work every day at Eat Bulaga. I've been doing TV guestings and do a lot of artsy-fartsy stuff like painting, designing, sculpting, and dancing. I'm also playing with my band so I listen to music, try to play as many instruments as I can. I try to do a lot of things within the realm of the arts.

Why did you join Hollywood Dream?

I wanted the exposure on TV so people would see me and remember me. I didn't expect to get this far.

How was the competition?

Everyone was tough competition. But the mood wasn't competitive. Pinky is just one of the pros. She's so helpful and was always there. All of them were always nice and supportive. When it came to the competition proper, we just did our best kasi it was really up to the judges.

What do you think made you stand out from the rest?

I think it was because I really meant everything I did. I had acting lessons and script understanding lessons so I guess I really understood what the judges wanted the contestants to do.

Do you think the biz has changed you?

I've been in showbiz for 12 years already. I really don't know if it has changed me. I didn't have a personality then. I just know that it has exposed me to a lot of things.

Let's do a comparison: showbiz and men.

I've fallen in love with showbiz. Everything about it—the good, the bad, the ugly. It's just like falling in love with someone. You can't just love a guy who makes you happy and who's just always there for you. This person must have something that irks you.

What do you hate about the industry?

Pretentious people. Young mga artistang feeling. Yung akala nila magagaling sila.

And what do you love about it?

Ang daming artista. Nakakatuwa. I get perks and freebies from being seen on TV. And whenever ‘m down, I feel appreciated by other people so I end up feeling good about myself.

What do you think would have made you a successful saleslady?

Because I grew up speaking in English when I was a kid, I knew that salesladies weren't as fluent in English. Yun yung edge ko sa ibang mga saleslady.

Doing all these things, the schedule must be crazy. If you were given free time, what would be the first thing on your to-do list? ../../../images/showbiz/featured_artist/julia_clarete/

First, I'd get confused. I wouldn't know what to do. Probably take a jeep around UP. Go down to places I want to go to. Maybe paint or cook. I love cooking.

What's the usual recipe?

I love pasta so I end up cooking it most of the time. Now, I'm into baking.

So if you were a dish, what would you be?

I'd be a fruit salad because I'd be so confused. I'd want to be so many things. Veggie salad, perhaps? I don't know.

And the dressing?

That's the confusing part because I don't even know if I'm a fruit salad or a veggie salad. Generally, I'm a salad. Maybe in the future, I'd know what I am.

Is there a window of possibility for us ordinary folk to end up with you?

I've always hooked up with ordinary people, never with guys from showbiz. I guess it's a choice. Wala rin akong mahanap. I think there are more interesting guys outside show business or maybe I haven't come across people in showbiz who are actually interesting to me. Or whenever I do, they'd be already tied up with someone.

How can guys get your attention?

I have this thing for teeth—perfect teeth with a nice smile. Well, there's only one common denominator for all the guys I've dated and that's they're all into music. Pero hindi naman kailangang rock ‘n' roll. I hooked up with a guy who was into hip-hop. I just go for the nerdy liberal ones with good teeth. Those who know how to have fun. I'd like to be with someone who I can get along with in terms of intellect. I'm partly a nerd so I guess I need a guy who is a nerd also.

Did you just say you're looking for a nerd?

Well, because I'm partly a nerd compared to most women maybe because of my curiosity. I was coughing yesterday and I was talking to my guy friend. And I was trying to explain the technicalities of mucus and snot. Ha ha ha!

Mucus and snot—nice name for a band! Anything more on the “guy”?

He must be someone who won't lock or tie me up. Someone who won't put me in a shelf. Someone who can appreciate things I appreciate. Someone who is willing to be curious with the things that I am because I'm willing to be curious about the things that he is. I'll just know when I see him, when I find him. I'll just know that I can love him if I stop running away because that's what I do. I keep running away.

Ever asked a guy out on a date?

I asked this shoe salesman out on a date in Japan . What a dork. He turned me down.

Dork. So you're 26 and things are going pretty well for you. In all those years, what do you think is your biggest achievement?

I think it's having people actually listening to me and be interested in what I have to say. Now with the gossip implications but because they're genuinely curious, interested or concerned. It's an achievement because there was a time that people thought that I was a druggie, an alcoholic, and had no future—someone who's trashing about. Now they know that I'm not like that. It's nice when people want to know what I have in my mind or what I actually do.

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