Ara Mina talks fitness, family, and that red gown
Actress Ara Mina believes that at 45, she is in the best shape of her life—even better than in her 30s when she was actively starring in sexy films.
She began her fitness journey in 2019, and is now focused on maintaining her progress. Initially, she “shocked” her body by eliminating carbs entirely for a month. She also sought medical guidance to manage her weight effectively.
Her doctor, an internal medicine specialist with a subspecialty in obesity medicine, helped her address her hypothyroidism and high cholesterol. In an August 2024 Facebook post, she revealed that she had embarked on a three-month fitness program and successfully lost another 15 lbs., bringing her total weight loss to 39 lbs.
“Now, with my height, I am within my normal weight range. My focus is on maintaining this weight through a healthy lifestyle,” she wrote.
During the program, Ara practiced Bikram yoga and completely cut out junk food and soda. When craving sweets, she allowed herself small bites of chocolate once a week. She also occasionally worked out with her sister, Cristine Reyes, and the latter’s boyfriend, Marco Gumabao.
Diet benefits
“For me, I now have the best weight and shape. I do Pilates at least twice a month, or whenever I have time. But proper dieting was the real reason I lost weight—that’s 70 percent of everything,” she pointed out.
After her monthlong zero-carb diet, Ara started incorporating low-carb vegetables like cauliflower into her meals. “It helped that I’m naturally a vegetable eater. I steam cauliflower and make cauliflower rice—it’s perfect for nilaga and shrimp sinigang,” she shared.
Incidentally, we also asked for an update on her plan to auction off the red gown she famously wore in the 2002 drama “Mano Po.” She had previously considered selling it to fund an assistance center in Pasig. Rapper and social media influencer Boss Toyo, known for his “Pinoy Pawnstars” series, even placed a bid of P2 million for the gown.
“Every Halloween and Chinese New Year, my gown resurfaces. It’s funny how it has crossed generations. So many Gen Z kids tag me when they see it,” she said, laughing.
Fans have also urged her to recreate her “Mano Po” scene, especially now that she’s in top shape. “They keep telling me, ‘Your body is perfect now!’ Maybe the dress is even loose on me at this point—I haven’t tried it on yet,” she mused.
However, Ara admitted she’s hesitant to let go of the dress. “It has always been my dream to build an assistance center, but if people are willing to donate, maybe I don’t need to sell the gown. Thank you—I’ll just keep it. I can’t let go of it just yet. That’s why it’s still with me after 23 years.”
Even with her weight-loss success, Ara confessed she still has body concerns. “Since I lost weight, I feel like I need to work on making my arms look leaner and firmer,” she admitted.
For those looking to embrace a healthier lifestyle, Ara advised starting with a proper diet. “I consider myself lucky because, even though I bake [for her online store, Hazelberry Cafe], I’m not much of a sweet tooth. One bar of chocolate lasts me three weeks. I just pinch off a bit when I need a little sweetness in my life,” she said with a laugh. “I don’t do breakfast, only brunch. These days, I allow myself to eat rice, but only half a cup. Even at home, Dave (Almarinez, her husband) and my daughter have their rice portions measured.”
Lucky mom
Speaking of Mandy, Ara’s 10-year-old daughter with ex-boyfriend Patrick Meneses, she shared that the child accepted her new life partner with ease.
“Kids these days are smart. You don’t need to explain everything to them,” she said. “I never introduced anyone to my daughter unless I was sure they were going to be my husband. I didn’t want to confuse her. After her dad, Dave was the only guy she met.”
Ara recalled the moment she knew Mandy understood her parents’ separation. “I think she was just five years old. We went somewhere with her dad in one car. We dropped him off at his house, and then we went home. She simply said, ‘This is Papa’s house, and we’re going to our house.’ She got it. No need for long explanations.”
Since Dave entered Mandy’s life only recently, Ara reflected on the years she raised her daughter alone. “I never had a hard time with Mandy, even when she was a baby. She’s naturally disciplined. I always say I’m lucky.”
When asked about her greatest fear for her daughter, Ara replied: “If she ends up with the wrong person. My prayer is that she finds the right partner at the right time. I hope he is God-fearing.”
As a mom, Ara describes herself as “cool” but firm. “I don’t yell at my daughter, but I also don’t overindulge her. When she asked for a puppy, I told her, ‘Can you really take care of it? You didn’t even take care of the last one. It’s easy to get a pet, but the real question is, will you be responsible for it?’”
She claimed Mandy has not asked her for a sibling. “She already has two siblings on her dad’s side, and Dave has a 19-year-old daughter who studies in Canada. When she returns home, I can see that they’re really close.”
As for the best parenting advice Ara received from her own mother, she shared, “Don’t overfeed your child so they don’t gain too much weight.” She then laughed, acknowledging that it may sound simple, but is actually important.
