"In my case, I’d say yes, it was, " says Vic Sotto, "Our trio then, Tito, Joey and I was hired by Mother Lily to be paired with her Regal Babies who starred in the big hit, Underage. Tito was paired with Maricel Soriano, Joey with Snooky Serna, and I, with Dina Bonnevie. I felt very happy when I was told that I’ll be Dina’s partner. The first time I saw her on the set, talagang na-in love agad ako."
"Vic is so much fun to be with," says Dina. "He makes me laugh. At that time, when people learned my boyfriend was Vic, the comedian, they couldn’t believe it. What they don’t realize is that Vic is so cute and has a lot of oomph in person, which must be the reason why a lot of women are attracted to him."
Dina got pregnant and they soon walked down the aisle. Their first born, Danica, is now 18 years old, while their son Oyo-boy, is 16.
They did a movie together as a married couple, Ride On, Baby, and Dina was ready to give up her flourishing career for the sake of their family. But after barely four years of living together under one roof, the marriage crumbled.
"I’ve been hearing stories about him going out with other girls but I was so trusting I wouldn’t believe it," Dina recalls. "But when the rumors got worse, I’d call up his co-host in Eat Bulaga (Coney Reyes) everyday to confide, without me knowing na sila na pala ni Vic. It took many years for me to heal, but Coney and I are now good friends. She has become very religious and was even instrumental for me to become more aware of the Bible."
"But you have to admit," Vic butts in, "that between the two of us, it’s you who got married to somebody else. I haven’t remarried yet".
"But you have had kids with other women," Dina counters. "Actually, there were two times when we almost reconciled. The first time was nine years ago. Joey and his wife, Eileen, took some steps for us to kiss and make up. Vic started to court me again and I was ready to succumb to his charms anew. But Helen Gamboa, who’s married to Tito, told me, ‘Naku, Dina don’t believe him. He just got Angela pregnant.’ I didn’t even know who the girl was. Angela Luz pala. The next time was when we shot Hindi Pa Tapos ang Labada, Darling for Star Cinema in 1994. Our kids were so excited to see us working together again and kept on urging us na magbalikan na nga. Vic tried to humor them. We were planning a family vacation to Florida and he said he would join us, so they became even more hopeful. But then, naghuramentado ang girlfriend niya noon, si Christine, and came personally to visit him on the set. The reconcilliation didn’t push through."
Vic and Dina have remained the best of friends despite their estrangement.
"I can feel he still gets jealous whenever I got linked to someone." says Dina, "He’d ask me, ‘O, may ipakakain ba ‘yan sa’yo? Hindi ba niyan aapihin ang mga anak natin?" I guess he’s afraid I might get another Dick Penson, who’s really my biggest regret in life."
"It’s not really jealousy that I feel," Vic insists. "It’s more of concern. After all, whatever happens to her will surely affect the welfare of our kids. But I do wish her the best in life because she deserves nothing less."
Vic swears he is not attached to any woman at the moment.
"The only woman in my life right now is my househelp, who’s been with my family since I was a kid. I really don’t want to grow old alone, but I’ve also accepted the possibility that I might not meet someone new who’d keep me company in my sunset years."
In the case of Dina, the grapevine says she has gotten married secretly to businessman Raul Francisco in Hong Kong recently.
"That’s not true. After getting my annulment from Dick, I won’t be foolish to rush into another relationship. I’m concentrating on my career right now. After not having done a single movie for so many years, I’m now in the cast of three new movies. I’ve just finished Bakit Ba Ganyan? Ewan Ko Nga Ba, Darling with Vic. And I’ve also completed two films for Director Laurice Guillen, Tanging Yaman and American Adobo."
Both Vic and Dina believe that Bakit Ba Ganyan?, which they did for Millennium Cinema under the direction of Tony Reyes, is a potential blockbuster.
"Our last film together, Hindi Pa Tapos ang Labada Darling, was a mammoth hit and since then, people have been requesting us to do another reunion film," says Dina.
"The film has many situations that both married and separated couples can identify with," adds Vic. "It also has plenty of rollicking incidents perfect to entertain viewers at this time of crisis. It will help them forget their worries."
Vic plays Ricky, a cosmetic surgeon while Dina is Mara, a radio announcer who gives advice to listeners with problems about their lovelife.
When Bakit Ba Ganyan? starts, they are already separated and their only child, played by Mumay Santiago, tries to initiate some moves to make them reconcile.
But Dina already has new boyfriend, Bernard Palanca, the son of the owner of the radio station where she works.
Also in the cast are Ai Ai de las Alas as Vic’s secretary who is forever trying to seduce him, Caridad Sanchez as Vic’s longtime "yaya", Pepe Pimentel as his loyal driver, and Allan K as a patient who has a nose job, with disastrous results.
It’s common knowledge that their daughter, Danica, now goes steady with Dolphy’s grandson, Boy 2 Quizon, who’s two years younger than her at 16.
Vic gives them space as he doesn’t want to interfere with matters of the heart.
Dina is more vocal with her feelings.
"I really told Boy 2 na kapag tinarantado niya ang anak namin, I won’t hesitate to kill him," she declares.