A meaningful birthday celebration for Gina - STARBYTES by Butch Francisco

Gina Alajar may not be a superstar (although she had her own share of hit movies in the past), but I have to say that she is still in the same league as Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos in terms of acting talent.

When I asked her how she turned out to be such an excellent actress, she started groping for words - obviously a bit embarrassed by the compliment. However, she cites as a major factor her having been handled by some of the greatest directors in Philippine cinema: Lino Brocka (Wanted: Perfect Mother, Kontrobersyal, Kapit sa Patalim, Orapronobis, Biktima), Ishmael Bernal (City After Dark), Marilou Abaya (Brutal, Moral, Ipaglaban Mo), Laurice Guillen (Salome), Mel Chionglo (Playgirl), Mike de Leon (Sister Stella L.), Maryo de los Reyes (Kaya Kong Abutin ang Langit), Gil Portes (Mulanay), etc.

And then, there were also those painful experiences she went through in life. Her marriage, for instance, to actor Michael de Mesa may have brought her joy (it gave her three sons), but it also crushed her heart many times over.

Gina was only 17 when she got pregnant with her first child (Ryan) and had to be rushed into marriage with an even younger groom (Michael was only 16 then). From the time they got married, she and Michael must have separated and reconciled about 20 times. Women and drugs were often the two causes of their marital problems.

In 1987, however, their union eventually stabilized after they put the Lord in the center of their marriage. Sure, they’d still have their petty little quarrels every now and then. But with a lot of prayers, they would always manage to patch things up between them.

Those years were truly blissful for both of them. Gina won a lot more acting awards and eventually branched out to directing movies for television. On the part of Michael, he was finally recognized as an actor - winning several awards, particularly from the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino. He also started directing - both for movies and TV.

A few months ago, showbiz observes were surprised to hear this piece of sad news about Michael and Gina separating again – and this time, for good.

Gina says that their problem started with this one woman – VJ Nadya Hutagalung who became Michael’s co-star in the Singaporean production of Rent. According to Gina, she would often read Nadya’s text messages to Michael – calling her husband "Love," "Darling" and other terms of endearment. "But Michael clarified that to me," points out Gina. "He said that Nadya’s really like that," she adds.

So what eventually caused the break-up? "There was something Michael did, but it’s too painful for me to talk about it now," insists Gina.

After a long talk, punctuated with the raising of voices, Gina decided it was over for both of them. Michael then packed his bags and left. He now stays in sister Cherie Gil’s condominium unit somewhere in Ortigas Center.

That was three months ago. The pain is still there, but animosity between them is gone. Michael is now free to come in and out of the family’s Paranaque home to visit the kids and sometimes even takes his lunch or dinner there.

What does she miss about Michael now that they’re living separate lives? "Well, Michael can be very thoughtful at times and I miss that. And just having someone to talk to, I guess."

In their 23 years of marriage, Gina could only heave a sigh of relief that in spite of all the problems they went through, Michael never laid a hand at her. "Kahit na provoked na provoked na sa akin ’yan, hindi niya ako masampal," claims Gina.

Last week, Gina marked her 42nd birthday and for the first time in her life, she decided to hold a big celebration (held at the Caramba bar and restaurant at the Fort). No, she didn’t even have a grand debut party because she was already married and on the family way when she turned 18. "In the past, ang mga birthday parties ko, puro potluck lang. But when Sandy (Andolong) and I were taping Kirara (the daily serial Gina directs for TAPE, Inc.), she asked me what I wanted to do for my birthday. And then Amy Austria called and asked the same thing. Actually, I wanted to go sana to the beach or check in at a hotel. But it seemed like my friends wanted to have a get-together on my birthday, kaya nagkaroon ako ng ganitong party," relates Gina.

Gina Alajar’s birthday celebration at the Caramba restaurant actually was still modest by showbiz standards. But it was very meaningful for Gina because she had all her closest friends there: Pinky de Leon, Sandy Andolong, Christopher de Leon, Lyn Ynchausti Cruz, Lorli Villanueva, Malou Choa-Fagar, German Moreno (who is like a father to Gina) and Telly Garcia. Why, even her now ex-brother-in-law Mark Gil was there to celebrate with her.

Gina says she’s now quite happy at this point of her life. Yes, there’s still love left in her heart for Michael. But she strongly feels it’s best for both of them that they remain separated.