She arrived home several days ago in the same way that she left in January last year for the States — that is, hounded by a nasty rumor that she and husband KC Montero were separating.
“So what else is new?” said Geneva during a one-on-one with Funfare.
The rumor was revived when she arrived alone without KC and her son Heaven (by ex-husband Paco Arespacochaga), who’s turning 12 on March 17.
‘I don’t know how that break-up rumor started. The truth is that I’ve never been happier; I feel really blessed. I’ve been here for only a week and I miss my family already. I miss my boys; I miss being a plain housewife — you know, cooking for my boys, doing the laundry, cleaning the house. Just being domesticated.”
Geneva and “my boys” are temporarily staying with KC’s parents in an 11-acre property in Seattle, Washington D.C.
“I love living in the country. It’s quiet. It’s a huge house located near Heaven’s school. Heaven is in Grade 5; he’s an A-student. He’s well-adjusted to the American lifestyle. He speaks English with an American twang. He loves to play football and basketball. KC’s parents are nice to me. I couldn’t ask for more. But this summer, we plan to start building our own house by the lake.”
Out there, as Geneva was saying, she has learned how to be a plain mom and wife.
“I’ve gotten used to waking up at 7:15 every morning, Monday through Friday. I wake up Heaven and prepare the things he needs for school. I prepare breakfast for him and KC who also has to leave early for work; he helps in his dad’s real-estate business. While they are away, I take up yoga or I read. Ang dami ko nang nabasang books! Sometimes, I go horseback-riding.”
She calls her mother-in-law “a super woman.”
“Their house is so big and yet she wants to clean it herself even if she can hire a house-cleaner. I learn a lot from her, including ironing clothes.”
But it took time for Geneva to properly operate the washing machine.
“The first time I tried using it,” she recalled with a laugh, “I just put everything into it — Heaven’s shirts and KC’s pants. I didn’t know that KC’s cellphone was inside his pocket so pati ‘yon naipasok ko sa washing machine. Siempre, nasira! Now, expert na ako with the washing machine. Thanks to KC who taught me how.”
What made me come back only now?
“Well,” Geneva said in jest, “my manager (Arnold Vegafria) has been nagging me to come home because, he said, ang dami kong work na nawawala. Besides, I also thought of my unfinished album, so I said it’s about time I came back. My last album came out in 2002 pa.”
Actually, even if she wanted to come home earlier, Geneva just couldn’t because of her pending application for a green card.
“I couldn’t and I shouldn’t travel out of the US until after my green card was released.”
But house-keeping wasn’t all that occupied Geneva’s time in Seattle.
“I get offers for concerts in both the East Coast and the West Coast.”
Geneva and KC started going steady in 1999, right after her marriage to Paco was annulled. (Paco is now married to Tiny Quisumbing; they are based in L.A.) In 2004, the two got married in civil rites at the Montero’s Seattle home but they kept their marriage a secret, revealing it only early last year via a “scoop” in Funfare.
“Paco and I are friends; same with him and KC.”
In fact, when Heaven celebrated his 11th birthday here last year, Paco came home but Geneva wasn’t able to. Paco and KC organized the party for Heaven whom KC treats like his own son.
“Heaven was only three years old when I met KC, so he grew up knowing KC as his dad. But now, he says that he’s luckier than other boys because he has two fathers. Paco’s wife Tiny and I are friends. When KC and I are in L.A., we stay with them .”
Geneva is staying for only three months at most.
“As I was saying, I miss my boys. I can’t stay away from them for long.”
Elwood look back and looks ahead
The UP Film Institute is holding a retrospective of the film works of director Elwood Perez, billed Stars Converge — The Stellar Art and Career of Elwood Perez, on Feb. 25, 26 and 27 with non-stop screenings at 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at the UPFI’s Cine Adarna in UP Diliman, Quezon City.
In connection with it, Funfare asked Elwood a few “retrospective” questions, to wit:
How many movies have you done and what are your favorites?
“More or less, 45 films. No, I don’t have any favorites because I feel that I haven’t done my magnum opus.”
Your magnum opus?
“Yes, I call it Akin Ka, with Old Dog as title for the international market. It’s the story of the Filipino life as a blend of showbiz and politics, with a subplot about changing of the guards. I hope to start shooting as soon as possible.”
How different are you now from what you were, say, two decades ago?
“I think I’m older and wiser now, more discerning. When I review movies, I see so many scenes that I should have done another way or revised.”
Name three of your films that you are proud of.
“One, Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M., starring Nora Aunor, because it’s the most-travelled, having been shown in various international film festivals. Two, Divorce Filipino Style (starring Pilar Pilapil, Chanda Romero, Tommy Abuel and Robert Arevalo). Three, Bilangin Mo ang Bituin sa Langit, starring Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III, because it’s the most-awarded.” (Elwood has won seven Best Director awards: Two from the FAP for Bituin and Pacita M.; three from the FAMAS for Ibulong Mo sa Diyos, Bituin and Pacita M.; one from Kritika Awards of the UP film critics for Pacita M.; and one from the Metro Filmfest for Pacita M.)
You have worked with Nora and Vilma Santos separately in several movies. Who’s your favorite between the two?
“They are both acting greats and very versatile.” (Elwood directed Nora in Bilangin Mo ang Bituin sa Langit, Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M., I Can’t Stop Loving You, Till We Meet Again, Mahal Mo Mahal Ko and Lollipops & Roses at Burong Talangka...and with Vilma in Pinay American Style; Lipad, Darna, Lipad; Nakawin Natin ang Bawat Sandali; Masarap, Masakit ang Umibig; Pakawalan Mo Ako; Ibulong Mo sa Diyos; and Magkaribal.)
And here are the films in the retrospective:
• Feb. 25 —- Nakawin Natin ang Bawat Sandali, 2 p.m.; Till We Meet Again, 5 p.m.; and I Can’t Stop Loving You, 7:30 p.m.;
• Feb. 26 —- Ibulong Mo sa Diyos, 2 p.m.; Masarap, Masakit ang Umibig, 5 p.m.; and Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit, 7:30 p.m,; and
• Feb. 27 —- Isang Gabi Tatlong Babae, 2 p.m.; Pakawalan Mo Ako, 5 p.m.; and Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M, 7:30 p.m.
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)