Actress Lotlot De Leon shared personal stories about family, business, and resilience during a recent visit to Maddox Jewelry, where she initially dropped by to have some of her treasured pieces inspected and repaired.
One of the jewelry pieces she brought in was her eternity ring, which had lost one of its large diamond stones. During her conversation with jewelry expert Charo Cordial, the two discussed the importance of regular jewelry maintenance, especially for pieces with large gemstones.
According to Cordial, routine inspections help ensure that the prongs securing diamonds remain tight, reducing the risk of valuable stones falling off over time. The discussion also touched on the enduring value of natural diamonds, with Cordial noting that many pieces purchased years ago for hundreds of thousands of pesos have appreciated significantly and are now worth millions, making them both sentimental heirlooms and long-term investments.
The conversation later turned more personal as De Leon recalled one of the biggest setbacks she experienced as an entrepreneur.
The actress revealed that she and several friends once operated a bangus business that received a large order worth around P80,000. Because payment was made through what appeared to be a manager’s check and the products were picked up by a well-known courier service, they believed the transaction was legitimate.
However, when they deposited the check at the bank, they discovered it was counterfeit.
“Akala namin may pang-Pasko na kami. Pagdating sa bangko, fake pala ang manager’s check.”
De Leon admitted the incident was painful because they not only lost the products they had delivered but also had to shoulder all the business expenses themselves. Since then, she said she has become much more cautious when dealing with financial transactions and business partners.
The interview also gave viewers a glimpse into her personal life as the daughter of the late National Artist Nora Aunor and veteran actor Christopher De Leon.
Despite growing up with two of the country’s most respected actors, De Leon said she never viewed their celebrity status as extraordinary.
“Para sa akin, trabaho lang nila ‘yon. Hindi naman ako tinrato nang iba sa school dahil anak nila ako.”
She also spoke about raising her four children and balancing motherhood with work and her personal passions, including cooking. Through the years, she said she has learned to appreciate life’s simple joys and the valuable lessons that come from overcoming challenges.
