“It just felt right,” were the words that Antoinette Taus uttered when asked what made her decide to stay in the Philippines for good.

Antoinette was just supposed to have an extended vacation when she was offered to make a showbiz comeback after a 10-year-hiatus.

“Parang you get this feeling na, ‘Okay, binibigyan na kita ng sign na dapat dito ka muna. So take it, I’m guiding you towards this. If this is what will make you happy…’

“Since dumating ako masayang-masaya ako. Even sa mga kaibigan ko, yung daddy ko nag-retire dito last year. Nakumpleto rin yung pamilya namin.

“Tama lang talaga yung feeling na mag-stay,” she explained.

CERTIFIED VIVA BABY. On Tuesday afternoon, May 13, Antoinette officially inked a 3-year management contract with Viva Entertainment, which produced all her movies in the past.

“Boss Vic and Ate Veroniuqe asked me, ‘Are you going to stay here for good?’ Sabi ko, ‘Actually, that’s what I’ve decided, which is why nangyari na nga ito and I’m back with Viva.

“I’m happy to be reunited kasi grabe wala akong masabi. When I was here before, Viva took care of me and gave me the best projects, so, exciting.”

Without giving specifics, the 32-year-old singer-actress said that she’s slated to do movies, TV shows, a recording album, and theater acting stints.

Acting-wise, Antoinette is raring to pursue bolder roles, far from her teenybopper days in showbiz.

It will be recalled that she used to be paired up with her ex-boyfriend Dingdong Dantes in ’90s romantic films, the most popular of which was Honey, My Love, So Sweet (1999).

“Hindi ko na kayang magpa-tweetums!” Antoinette exclaimed with a laugh.

“And the real me, I’m really bubbly. I don’t wanna say aggressive, but I’m really outgoing and very straightforward.

“So hopefully, makakita sila ng ibang side sa akin katulad ng [horror film] Patayin Sa Sindak Si Barbara.”

Now that she’s older, Antoinette said that she’s open to do daring roles that require kissing scenes.

“I’m not a teenager anymore. Kinakabahan nga ako dahil never pa akong nag-kissing scene sa buong buhay ko. Dahil hindi ako pinapayagan dati.

“Pero ngayon, ‘Ilang taon ka na? Puwede ka na mag-kissing scenes.’

“Tapos ang showbiz pa ngayon extra daring. Nagugulat ako sa mga stories.

“I’m proud with the industry though. Nagbago na siya. Very Hollywood na yung projects.

“Kahit mga artista mismo. Everybody’s looking amazing and fabulous fashion-wise.”

Antoinette further revealed that she’s willing to do her first onscreen kiss with former reel-and-real life sweetheart Dingdong Dantes.

Aside from Dingdong, Antoinette is excited to work with other leading men such as Sam Milby and Xian Lim.

“Kahit si Dingdong okay lang sa akin. Pero siyempre everybody has their own career paths. So kung ano’ng gusto management niya.

“Kasi hindi ako nakakapanood ng local TV sa States. Pero okay din si Sam Milby, tapos isang napansin ko na magaling si Xian Lim.

“I’m open to anybody basta magaling umarte. Kasi mahirap umarte ‘pag ‘di magaling ang kasama mo. Hindi ka makahugot ng acting.”

As for her singing career, Antoinette said that she’s actually planning to co-produce her own album.

“Matagal na akong hindi narinig kumanta sa Philippines. My voice has changed a lot due to my training and experience in the States. Nag-iba yung style ko.

“Plus I write my own music now. Excited ako na mag-co-produce ng album and write pretty much all of my songs with a new sound,” she said with a smile.

During her stay in the United States, Antoinette became part of the vocal group Kinfolk that competed in the third season of the NBC show The Sing-Off.