That’s what friends are for, isn’t it?

First of all, let me greet one of my dearest friends, Tatus Aldana, a very happy birthday. Our friendship has survived and thrived for more than 15 years. I started working with Tatus under Regal Entertainment’s television division in the summer of 1987 for Mother Studio Presents Kris on GMA 7. He has gained at least 50 lbs. since I met him, and my wish is that for his good health, I hope he’ll be able to shed at least 30 pounds.

Thanks, Tatus, for loving me in my imperfect totality, thank you for helping me realize that true friendship is measured by acceptance and unconditional love coupled with compassionate guidance, and for letting Josh and me be a part of your world! We’ve always stuck to the simple truth of the greeting card quotation that said volumes to us, "Friends are the family we are fortunate enough to choose for ourselves." I love you for life!

Tatus was responsible for the beautiful production design for Mano Po. I just finished reading the script of Mano Po 2. It is written by Roy Iglesias who also wrote the original. Roy wrote an even more compelling story, this time around. It really is a tighter family drama, showing the complexities, struggles and turmoil enveloping the relationships among the three families of a Chinese patriarch. We start shooting in September, and I can’t state enough times what a great honor it is for me to be embodying the role of Sol in her younger years, later on to be portrayed by Tita Susan Roces in the present time.

The character of Sol is the moral center of the whole narrative. She was the first wife, the Filipina who had put up with the arrival of the second wife, a pure Chinese from mainland China. She finds the strength to leave Antonio, the Chinese patriarch when he takes on a third wife, but she has to give up custody of her two elder daughters to him. She raises her youngest son, Lean on her own and she suffers the stigma of being accused by her husband of being an adulteress because he doubts the paternity of Lean, and being banished from the lives of her two daughters. I called up Roy to thank him for giving me such a beautifully-written role, and I teased him that he has again given me a challenging role to play because I’m again the unquestionably good and pure character in the story.

After reading the script, I now realize why Lorna Tolentino and Dina Bonnevie were both interested in playing the role of Belinda, the third wife. A role this juicy comes only rarely in an actress’s career. She is scheming and manipulative, and her emotional make-up has many layers. Her role has many dimensions and the ending of the story in which she suffers the most excruciating pain any mother, any woman could experience is what makes for an acting grand slam performance. The final decision of course belongs to Mother Lily, and we will all just have to wait and see once shooting commences who will prove to be Mother’s choice.

On another note, if you have a couple of free days, take advantage of the off-season rates at The Manor Club Camp John Hay in Baguio. They hosted us for Game KNB’s Baguio special which aired this past week, and a two-bedroom suite goes for just under P4,000 per night. It’s perfect for the whole family, very comfortable and comes complete with a spacious living and dining room, as well as three complete bathrooms. I loved the food because Le Soufflé is in charge of their restaurant and room service. In my opinion, for catering and for fine dining, Le Soufflé is the most consistently delicious! I especially enjoyed the pasta, the Bolognese and the Asian inspired one with prawns and scallops. They had delicious pancit bihon, and absolutely divine was their creamy mashed potatoes which I had with their sumptuous chicken curry.

On a final note, I’m excited to relay the message that for the commemoration of my Dad’s 20th death anniversary, the Aquino Foundation will honor 20 other foundations which have helped empower Filipinos. This will be held at The NBC Tent at The Fort on Aug. 20. I’ve been able to line up as hosts Boy Abunda and Korina Sanchez. For the entertainment, I’ve been able to confirm Zsa Zsa Padilla, Ogie Alcasid and Ai Ai de las Alas. I’m very grateful to all five of them because they all readily confirmed their participation with no hesitation whatsoever.