My 20 most memorable interviews for The Star

(Second of a series)

Writing for The Philippine Star gave me this wonderful opportunity to interview and even know better the great talents of the local showbiz profession. In line with the paper’s 20th anniversary, I am going down memory lane this week to recall 20 of my most memorable interviews. Here is the continuation of my list:

Lorna Tolentino – I had the chance to interview this screen goddess (one of the most beautiful and most talented in the industry) several times and we’d always opt to do our one-on-one in the lovely White Plains home she shares with Rudy and their boys. The interiors of the house looked different then. (The current issue of Yes! Magazine features how Rudy and Lorna’s residence looks today.) Mostly, we did the interviews in their den – their favorite place in the house.

I enjoyed my every interview with Lorna because she’d give me all her time. There would be time for work (the interview) and time to eat and relax – usually at the dining area where they served delicious meals (sardines with hard, crusty bread for merienda and the works for dinner). And Lorna can be such a gracious hostess – and always saw to it that I enjoyed my stay at their place.

Rudy Fernandez – An equally great host, Rudy makes everyone feel comfortable in their house. On some occasions, however, I would interview Rudy at the then office of the Actors’ Guild (of which he was president for a long time) located at the second floor of the Vasquez-Madrigal Building in Annapolis, Greenhills.

What I remember most about Rudy is his playful manner. Oh, how he loved needling the people around him. Sometimes I even joined in – especially if Telly Garcia (Lorna’s best friend) was around.

I don’t think there was ever a time I didn’t have fun with this very nice couple. I love both of them and every day they are in my prayers.

Bessie Badilla – I always had a great time watching Bessie on Eh Kasi, Babae and I felt sad when she had to move to Singapore with her family in 1988. One day, however, she came back to Manila for a visit and I saw her co-hosting Lunch Date and I immediately called up the Broadway Centrum studio to interview her on the phone. We became fast friends after that. We wrote each other letters and always talked on the phone every chance we had. But it took us five years to come face to face with each other and on our first meeting it looked like we had known each other all our lives.

Incidentally, after I interviewed Bessie that time, she gave the phone to Toni Rose Gayda and my world was never the same after that. She became one of my dearest friends and was always with me in good times and – especially – in bad.

Rosa Rosal – With Toni Rose as my good friend, it was easy for me to get drawn to her mother, the great actress and humanitarian Rosa Rosal. My first interview with Tita Rose was at their then townhouse at Villa Ortigas in Gilmore. I still remember the guava pineapple juice served in ice cubes that were individually wrapped in cloth (so that your drink doesn’t get watered down when the ice melts). What I cherish most were the stories she told me about the old days – the good old days at LVN.

I came home from that interview with a treasure of materials as related by one of the great legends of this profession. Unfortunately, I got so overwhelmed by it that I didn’t know where to start. Writing the article also proved to be difficult because I wanted it perfect – just like the subject. It must have taken me days to finish that piece, but I was happy in the end. Boy Abunda even called me on the day the article came out and said that because of that write-up, he really began to appreciate even more the great talent of Rosa Rosal.

Cesar Montano – This award-winning actor was then still languishing in supporting role after supporting role during the time I interviewed him. But I agreed to do that one-on-one with him (conducted at Annabel’s) for two reasons: I respect his manager, Norma Japitana, and I knew even then that he was very talented. I didn’t think he would reach this far, but I was aware that he had a great acting range.

Months after the article came out, we bumped into each other at the restroom of the Manila Film Center during an awards night and he helped me with my tie. Yes, he remembered me as the one who interviewed him – and that came as a surprise because most other stars just ignore you after writing about them. When he won the first of his many acting trophies – Metro Filmfest Best Supporting Actor for Ang Bukas ay Akin – I was among the happiest for him.

Nanette Inventor – This was the time Nanette was at the peak of her popularity as Doña Buding. Extremely talented, I always gave her good reviews – until came a time when her then Channel 9 sitcom (the title of which escapes me at the moment) just stopped being funny. Of course, I wrote a nasty piece on that because I was disappointed with the show.

Shortly after, Boy Abunda asked me to interview Nanette for a show at the Rizal Theater. We met at Leila’s (the coffee shop that used to be owned by Leila Benitez in Makati) and at the end of the interview, somebody just fired a gun from the outside and the bullet went through the glass window, but fortunately, didn’t hit anyone.

The first to duck was Boy and it took him quite sometime to get off the floor after the shooting incident and we all had a good laugh. To this day, I manage to laugh by myself just recalling that moment. But when I seriously think about it, I shudder at the thought that it could have been a tragic chapter in our lives.

Susan Roces – I can proudly say that I was able to interview Susan Roces many times (although I can never match the record of Ricky Lo). The first time I interviewed her was at the Café Ysabel, which used to stand in her old residence in Wilson Street in Greenhills (the place is now a building).

My most memorable interview with the great movie queen (and would have been First Lady – the best we could have had!) was at the residence she shared with the late beloved FPJ in Lincoln Street in Greenhills.

Originally, we were supposed to meet in Café Ysabel – as usual. But when I got to the restaurant, she sent word that she would be meeting me at her house instead.

When I got to Lincoln Street, there was tidying up going on (there were no drapes, in fact) because daughter Mary Grace was getting married in a few weeks and they were preparing the house for the numerous guests who were expected to come in and out of their residence. (The wedding reception though was held at Ciudad Fernandina.) For refreshments, Ms. Roces sent for canapés at Café Ysabel and the quantity she ordered was enough to feed an entire army.

The article I wrote – an assignment given by Ricky – was on the occasion of Ms. Roces turning Golden Girl. Was she excited about it? Oh, most definitely! But she was more excited about her daughter’s forthcoming marriage that time.

Tomorrow, as The Philippine Star turns 20, Susan Roces also celebrates her birthday and turns 65 (she never hid her age).

Has it been that long since that memorable interview? A lot of things may have happened in between – some happy, some sad – but I will never forget the kindness Susan Roces showed me during all those interviews I had with her for this paper. She will always be among my best interviewees ever.

(To be continued)