With her daughter Sofia Laforteza announcing earlier this month that she will be taking a step back from doing promotional activities with her group KATSEYE to focus on her mental health, theater actress Carla Guevara-Forteza assured fans don’t need to worry about her daughter’s current condition because getting more rest is really her utmost priority at the moment.
“She’s really resting so don’t worry, this is for her own good. In Sofi’s case nga, kasi nga leader, tapos Capricorn, and I super, super, super relate to her. I know exactly what she’s feeling, I know exactly what’s happening in her brain, in her body. Ako kasi I have the luxury to say that when I’m tired, ‘Ah, I’m not going to do the next show’ kasi I’m tired. Siye hindi puwede kasi meron silang responsibilities sa EYEKONS. So they really have to work. They have a schedule to follow. So she’s just really tired and it’s a good thing that she is resting so that she’s stronger when she comes back,” she told the press during The Notebook The Musical press conference held on August 27 in Makati City.
During the interview, Carla also explained the reason why Sofia enjoys spending time in theme parks. The KATSEYE leader was also recently being spotted spending time in Disneyland along with her good friend Leon Barretto.
“That’s her happy place. You know why? Because my husband was based in Hong Kong for a time. He opened Nobu Hong Kong. And 90% of the cast of Hong Kong Disney are Filipino. Yung musical director ninong ni Oreo (Sofia’s younger brother). So we were literally there everyday. She grew up there,” she added.
The Notebook the musical actress also shared what she thinks of HYBE Entertainment, the management arm of KATSEYE.
“This is what I love about her management. They recognize when the girls are tired. They all work equally hard. That’s what’s good about her management also that they’re able to really support these girls and they’re given the right support. They have doctors, they have therapists, they have the support of the girl’s moms and the families,” she shared.
Ever since the announcement, KATSEYE fans, called the EYEKONS have been waiting for assurance that the leader of the group will eventually return, especially since the permanent departure of KATSEYE member Manon earlier this year. Carla gives a candid answer with regards to her daughter’s future.
“Okay I will be very honest. I don’t ask her. Because as a Capricorn, we don’t like being asked, we don’t like being pressured. So I know what she’s thinking. So I let her be. I’m just being her mom, saying, ‘What do you need? What can I do for you? How can I help?’ I do that instead of saying, ‘Huy, ano nang nangyayari sa ‘yo? What’s going to happen after?’ I don’t do that. She needs rest. She needs to rest, she needs to take care of herself because she’s that intelligent that she says, ‘Mom, my body needs to rest, my brain needs to rest.’ And she deserves that. We’re so grateful to the EYEKONS for supporting that and for waiting for her,” she shared.
Carla also revealed how early on Sofia had already proven to her how dedicated she was to the group and all the sacrifices that go with being one of the most popular girl groups in the world.
“All of them, they all equally work hard. Grabe sila, athletes. I’m not shocked with their schedule. It’s expected. In fact, when Sofia started, she knew what she was getting into. (I told her) ‘Iba yan ha. Mommy just wants to perform. I just want to sing, I just need work. Ikaw gusto mo yan. Gusto mo yung may pinapasayang mga tao.That’s a commitment ha.’ And she knew what she was getting into. And it’s good that she knows also when to step back and say wait, let me rest. Kasi pag tinuloy tuloy ko ito, baka hindi ako maka-deliver ng tama,” she said.