Curtain raisers:
• Could it be true that MMDA Chairman Bayani Fernando is planning to scrap the Parade of Stars that kicks off the annual Metro Manila Film Festival? Lack of funds and sponsors daw. I hope BF won’t tamper with tradition under pain of incurring the ire of the public that looks forward to star-gazing year in and year out. The Metro Filmfest is not the same without the starry parade, is it?
• From Ruffa Gutierrez: I would like to clarify that my dad thanked the entire family during his interview on The Buzz last Sunday — me, my mom, Kuya Tonton and Monching, Rocky, Elvis, Richard, Raymond and Ritchie Paul. But because of lack of time, The Buzz staff had to edit the interview and cut all the names of my brothers. Naiwan na lang kami ni Richard. Kaya before it becomes an issue, at least po na-clarify ko na.
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All’s well that ends well. Besides, the season of glad tidings and good cheer is upon us. Time to set aside, or totally trash, ill feelings and resentments, and say “Hello!” to another new year with a clean heart and a clear head, and a positive outlook.
That’s exactly how Sunshine Cruz feels now that everything “is okay” between her and husband Cesar Montano after they survived what could probably the biggest storm in their married life.
When Sunshine showed up at the presscon which launched Malaysian actress Carmen Soo as the newest Petit Monde endorser (together with Sunshine, Cheska Garcia and Jodi Santamaria), she was all smiles, her eyes sparkling with not a care in the world, so much unlike recently when she seemed to be ready to break into tears at the slightest provocation.
Here’s how the Funfare Q&A with Sunshine went:
You’re blooming.
“Well, I’m blooming because, at 30-plus, heto at kasama pa rin ako ng mga younger endorsers ng Petit Monde.”
Is that the only reason? The sadness in your eyes is gone. You once said that Cesar was “courting” you back. Have you said “yes” to him again? (The couple fought reportedly over a “third party” in the person of a Brazilian model.)
“We are okay already. It started when he asked me to go on a trip to San Francisco. There, I realized that we really love each other, so why not try to work things out?”
This is your first Christmas as a “renewed” couple. How do you plan to spend it?
“We don’t have a definite plan yet. We might go to Hong Kong and bring the kids to Disneyland. Or we might just stay home. Okay na ‘yon as long as we are together.”
By “home,” you mean your new house?
“Yes. ‘Yung bagong bahay namin na wala pang gamit. Puedeng mag-bowling doon. Hahahahaha!”
Are you and Cesar’s (older) sister (working in Italy) okay already? (Sunshine filed a libel case against Cesar’s sister.)
“Puedeng huwag na lang mag-comment?” (According to reports, Sunshine won the case.)
What’s your Christmas wish for you, for Cesar and for the children?
“For us to be stronger and to face together whatever trials come our way, na sana kayanin namin. We realized that what is important is for us to understand each other and not to believe whatever we hear from other people or whatever other people tell us. We realized na sa aming dalawa lang nakasalalay what will make or break our marriage and our family.”
Aside from that — huwag makikinig sa sulsol ng ibang tao — what other lessons did you learn from recent incidents?
“Uy, wala akong sinasabing ganoon, ha! But the best lesson that I learned, and I believe what Buboy (Cesar) learned, is that mahal ko siya at mahal niya ako, at kahit ano pa mang pagsubok ang dumating nandito ako para sa kanya.”
At what point did you realize that you really love Cesar?
“From the start naman of our relationship alam ko na, eh.”
In spite of the gusot that happened between you, how did you realize that you are for him and he is for you, na sa kanya ka lang at sa’yo lang siya?
“I’ve never imagined living life without him. I can’t imagine myself having another man but him. Hindi ko ma-imagine na magkaroon ng iba pang lalaki sa buhay other than him.”
What did you miss most about Cesar when you were apart? (Sunshine lived in a condo unit that Cesar himself rented for her.)
“Even if we were living apart, we saw each other naman almost every day. I talked to him every day. What I missed most about him was his being malambing; Buboy kasi is one guy who is malambing. And also, his sense of humor, his being pilyo and makulit.”
Kumusta naman ang kids n’yo? Weren’t they affected by what happened?
“Samantha and Angelina were always in touch with their dad, so they never felt that something was wrong. The youngest naman is too young pa para makaramdam ng anuman.”
When you fight over anything, big or small, how do you make up?
“He makes whatever little effort, like bringing me my favorite food. Pinagsha-shopping nya kami ng mga bata. Whether big or small, I appreciate the fact that talagang nag-e-effort siya.”
What about the selosan? What assurance does Cesar give you that you are the one (and only) for him, and vice-versa?
“We didn’t talk about it anymore. Positive muna kami. It’s Christmas na, so why talk about negative things? What’s important is what we are going to do to make our family ties stronger.”
(E-mail reactions at rickylo@philstar.net.ph or at entphilstar@yahoo.com)