Lovelier the second time around

Oh yes, it’s true: (Motherly) love is lovelier the second time around, especially if it involves a “prodigal son” dissolving into the long-waiting arms of a loving and forgiving mother (or, to be more accurate, a nanay-nanayan as in “surrogate” mother) separated for 13 long years by more than just thousands of miles.

However, the face-to-face meeting between Lolit Solis and her anak-anakan Gabby Concepcion Wednesday night at Annabel’s Restaurant (on Tomas Morato Ave., Quezon City) was marked neither by tears nor by recrimination but by light banter.

It was anti-climactic. Last year, Lolit and Gabby, formerly manager and talent whose relationship was rudely interrupted by the infamous 1994 Manila Filmfest scam, already met by chance in Las Vegas where they found themselves in under one roof during the Manny Pacquiao-Erik Morales fight.

Recalled Jojo Gabinete, Lolit’s bosom buddy, “From across the room, I saw Gabby, kaya kinalabit ko si Ate Lolit at itinuro ko sa kanya.”

Lolit said that her initial reaction was a pleasant surprise, although she didn’t have any second thought about approaching Gabby and, in her characteristic “Lolitism,” told him, “O, bati na tayo, ha. Penge ng $100.” A noted tightwad, Gabby readily fished out a hundred dollar bill from his wallet and very gladly handed it to his Nanay Lolit. “If I know,” Lolit now said, “‘yon lang ang pera niya sa wallet.”

That moment in time bridged the gap between the nanay-nanayan and the anak-anakan who let bygones be bygones and, as I would love to put it, buried the hatchet not on each other’s backs.

So when the two met again at Annabel’s, it was more like a “formality.” When Gabby arrived from San Francisco (where he and his wife Genevieve “Ginbee” Yatco and their two-month-old daughter Samantha are based) at dawn last March 30, Lolit was among the first ones to express happiness for his long-delayed homecoming. The feeling turned out to be mutual.

Last Wednesday’s meeting, which lasted for barely an hour (because Gabby had to attend a reunion with his fellow Regal Babies), was arranged by “Mommy” Rose Flaminiano, Gabby’s new manager who facilitated his comeback.

“Gabby is a changed man now, he has matured,” said Lolit, “at ako naman, I’m not getting any younger.”

They will have to remain just friends now, resuming their relationship as nanay-nanayan/anak-anakan but not as manager/talent.

A tight hug was all it took to sweep the unpleasant past into the dustbin.

Did Lolit ask for another $100 from Gabby before they parted?

“I’m sure walang laman ang wallet niya,” she quipped.

Briefly noted

• Here’s a rejoinder from Pete Lacaba to Funfare’s item on visiting UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship) martial-arts superstar Brandon “The Truth” Vera (who is half-Filipino): Regarding why Brandon Vera is called The Truth: Could that also be because “vera” comes from the Latin word that means “true”? Hence: Veracity, verify, verisimilitude. Imelda’s “good, true and beautiful” is “bona, vera et pulchra” when used adjective defining feminine noun, if I remember my college Latin correctly.

• Angelica Jones isn’t the only fire victim from showbiz. Another one is singer Juaquin whose rented apartment was gutted three days ago, along with neighboring units off West Ave., Quezon City. “I was out at the time,” said Juaquin. “I heard over the radio na may sunog but I didn’t know until it was too late na bahay ko na pala ang nasusunog. I lost everything in that fire.”

• The Bodyshots search is back, relaunched a few days ago at Fish & Co. at Mall of Asia, graced by former Bodyshots models, fashion designers and the media. The event was organized by the Fashion Designers Association of the Philippines (FDAP) and Executive Decisions. Bodyshots has served as launching pad for stars, beauty queens and models. Among the “graduates” are director (of Pinoy Big Brother) Lauren Dyogi, Eric Quizon, Calvin Millado, Rod Nepomuceno, Rhea Santos, Ricardo Cepeda, John Estrada, Emilio Garcia, Zanjoe Marudo, JR Valentin, AJ Dee, Gem Padilla, Patty Betita, Marina Benipayo, Jeanne Harn and Maricar Balagtas. Remaining audition dates are April 12 and 13 at the Banahaw Room of Century Park Hotel, and April 19 at Hyatt Hotel. Qualifications for applicants: 13 to 27 years old, single or married, of Filipino descent, and 5’7” minimum height requirement for men and 5’10” for women.

• Oops! Direk Joey Javier Reyes (subject of yesterday’s “body talk”) lost only 95 lbs. and not 160 lbs. (from 260 to 165) in two years sans invasive procedure but only by dieting and working out.

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