Bobby & Gerald: Happy Papas

Curtain-raisers:

• What does Vilma Santos have in common with Joey de Leon? They are both hypochondriac.

• What does Vilma Santos have in common with ex-husband Edu Manzano, Dina Bonnevie, US President Bill Clinton and President Erap Estrada? They are all kaliwete (as in "left-handed").

• And what does Vilma Santos have in common with Joey Marquez, Rey Malonzo, Sonny Belmonte and Lito Atienza? They are all city mayors (or have you forgotten?).

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The title of Maverick Films’ new offering, Susmaryosep (4 Fathers), directed by Edgardo "Boy" Vinarao, is perfect for two of its four stars, Bobby Andrews and Gerald Madrid (the two others are Polo Ravales and Bojo Molina) who are truly happy Papas in real life. Both Bobby and Gerald have two children. Bobby and wife Bien Co’s are Miguel Arthur, 2, and Gabriel, eight months; and those of Gerald and his non-showbiz wife are EJ (Emilio Jesus), 3, and Rasheed, 2.

Bobby literally plunged himself into a contented and peaceful domestic life (as in lumagay sa tahimik) after he and Bien, a pure Chinese, got married (civic rites) on March 18, 1999. The couple has been staying with Bobby’s folks at the Scout area in Quezon City, hesitant to move to their own unit at the Olympic Condo in Eastwood City (in Libis, Quezon City) even if it’s ready for occupancy. "A lot of tragedies have been happening in condominiums lately, di ba?" said Bobby, referring to the murder of Nida Blanca at the parking lot of Atlanta Tower and the death leap of Maria Teresa Carlson from the 23rd floor of the nearby Platinum 2000, both in Greenhills. "Natatakot tuloy kami tumira sa condo."

From the start Bobby made public his romance with Bien, even if Bien’s very conservative family didn’t like Bobby; in contrast, Gerald kept his civil status a secret, until he broke down on national television and made a clean breast of it.

"Aside from my being Filipino," said Bobby, "Bien’s parents didn’t like me because I’m an artista. But I was able to convince them of my noble intentions with Bien, na hindi ko lolokohin ang anak nila."

So close is Bobby now to his in-laws that Bien’s mom even went to China twice to consult a feng shui expert and another one at a Chinese Temple in Binondo just to make sure that Bobby and Bien’s condo is in the right place (14th floor).

Gerald felt a heavy load removed from his chest when he admitted that he’s a Papa.

"I was built up kasi as a binata, so I was put on the spot," said Gerald whose four-year/16-picture contract with Regal Films has expired. "For a while, my confession affected my career. May mga offers na hindi na itinuloy. But now, medyo nakakabawi na ako. I guess the public doesn’t really care so much about your private life as long as you give them the performance (in movies and television) that they deserve."

Gerald was hailed as a promising actor in his very first movie, Sana Pagibig Na (directed by Jeffrey Jeturian) where he played Nida Blanca’s son who got into an affair with his own father’s (Chinggoy Alonso) mistress (Angel Aquino).

"I almost quit when our first big scene was shot," recalled Gerald. "I was intimidated kasi, e. I told direk Jeffrey, ‘Uuwi na lang ako.’ But Tita Nida was very helpful. Very accommodating siya sa mga baguhang katulad ko. I’ll always remember her advice: ‘Ang pag-arte ay trabaho mo. Don’t mind the people around; just concentrate on your work. Interact with your co-stars.’ After that, nadalian na akong umarte. In that scene, sinampal-sampal ako ni Tita Nida, after I told her that my dad had a mistress. I got three Best Actor nominations for that movie."

Both Bobby and Gerald are lucky to have wives who understand the nature of their work – you know, tsismis galore and never-ending intrigues.

"Bien is not selosa," said Bobby. "She’s a perfect wife. From the very start, I really wanted to marry somebody not from showbiz. Pag pareho kayong artista kasi," added Bobby who claimed he never had any showbiz girlfriend, not even his former loveteam-mate Angelu de Leon, "you tend to compete with each other." (Bobby and Angelu have started working together again, first in the GMA Larawan special and now in the GMA soap Sana Ay Ikaw Na Nga.)

Describing their lives as "masaya," Bobby and Gerald are careful about the roles they now accept. There should be no frontal nudity for them (although Gerald can show his butt).

"If I do a bold movie, showing my bare body," said Gerald, "baka pag nag-aral na ang mga anak ko, their schoolmates might tease them for having a bold star for a father."

Bobby said "amen" to that.

Joey still ‘respectable’

The ban on his movie Live Show (which spawned a controversy that led to the revamp of the MTRCB) has hardly dented the respectability of direk Joey-Javier Reyes. In short, direk Joey’s reputation as a serious (respectable) director is intact. Thank you.

After Live Show, direk Joey did two "harmless" projects, the Aga-Joyce romance-comedy starrer Narinig Mo Na Ba Ang L8est? and the ABS-CBN soap Sa Puso Ko (Iingatan Ka) in which he was recently replaced as director by Gilbert Perez.

Direk Joey is back with Tikim (Seiko Films), starring Barbara Milano, Rodel Velayo and Leonardo Litton.

"I did all the nude scenes because I trust and respect direk Joey," said Barbara who plays a prostitute in the movie, sold to men by her greedy aunt.

"Direk Joey has a way of motivating actors," said Rodel. I put myself in his full control."

"Because of his image as a respectable director," said Leonardo, "I don’t think gagawa si direk Joey ng pelikulang ikahihiya niya."