So much has been said about the Robin Padilla-Mariel Rodriguez love story. And so much, I would presume would still be said because they’re both public and the narrative remains open-ended with many questions unanswered that have kept an inquisitive, adoring and sometimes unforgiving public wanting for more. Robin and Mariel are currently in India shooting a movie. It was there where they had a covenant with God that they will love each other for the rest of their lives. It happened at the magnificent Taj Mahal last Aug. 19.
At the height of the media fracas about Robin and Mariel, we saw footage of what appeared to be a wedding ritual that occurred in Baguio. Some people have come out trying to tell their version of the story. Relevant and irrelevant parties joined the fray adding more confusion to the already muddled story. Amidst the pervading verbal clutter, not even Robin and Mariel could explain with clarity what happened in Baguio.
Some weeks ago, I got an e-mail from Tita Millie Cariño that put into context all the words I have heard and the images I have seen on this incident. I am printing her letter en toto for all who are interested. I spoke to Tita Millie Cariño, a gentle lady who spoke with clarity and integrity, to ask permission to have her letter published. I look forward to meeting her in person. Here is the letter.
Dear Boy,
This is Millie Cariño, the wife of Sonny Cariño of Camp 7, Baguio City.
Much had been aired and printed about what happened here in our place about Robin Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez.
My husband and I had refused to be interviewed by the media in spite of their insistence to get our side. Some people had contributed to the news which muddled the truth in some ways and which are now causing some controversial issues. Please allow me to set the records straight.
Last July 4, we were pleasantly surprised when Robin and Rommel Padilla came to our home here in Camp 7, with an uncle and some friends. He said he was trying to trace his Igorot roots and some people have led him to our place. It was heartwarming because, here is a popular show business personality trying to connect his genealogy to the Igorots who belong to the Cultural Minority. We showed him an old family tree copy which dates back to the 1300s but just couldn’t pinpoint at that time the degree of the family relationship. Suffice it to say that my husband and I, and some members of the clan were here to acknowledge his wish to trace his ancestry. We were certainly glad he came.
We had a good fellowship that day that lasted until late night of the same day. We felt his sincerity and love for the Igorots. And he really loved the ambience of our old house here in Camp 7. He promised he will be back because he found a place he can call home here in Baguio. As an added observation that time, we saw him watch ardently when Mariel was being interviewed on The Buzz that afternoon; it was on Sunday, July 4th. Before they left that evening, Rommel and Robin told us that they were happy they met us and that they will bring their mother over someday.
Going on to the next phase, in the morning of Sunday, Sept. 5, three weeks and one day ago to this day, his liaison officer and friend Carol Tibayan called me up to say that Robin and Mariel are coming up and that he wants a Benguet Ibaloi Cañao (Igorot Celebration/Ritual) the very next day. And he wants it done in our place here in Camp 7. She said that Robin wants his son to see the culture of the mountains before he leaves to join his mother in Australia. Ali was to leave in the middle of that week.
I informed Carol that an authentic Ibaloi Cañao can’t be done in a split second because it is something special and sacred and it needs ample time to prepare.
Early next morning, Sept. 6, Carol again called and said that Mariel, Robin, and his kids Ali and Kylie were in Camp John Hay Manor and would be coming to our place later in the day. Carol asked me if we can get a G-string (bahag) for Robin and an Ibaloi woman’s devit (female outfit) for Mariel. Robin wants his kids to see them wear the Igorot attire for such an occasion. It was a very hasty preparation. Our niece Judith Strasser-Pavia was so gracious to run here and there to get the needed attire and food for the unplanned celebration. The dad of Carol, Manny Tibayan got a small black pig for the occasion and somehow, one of the stuntmen of Robin who is a Kankanaey Igorot (a Benguet tribe) managed to find a “mambunong” (priest or priestess). Subsequently, any statements the guy “mambunong” made to the media after the family event that took place here on Sept. 6 were entirely his own. My family has nothing to do with any of his assertions.
(To be concluded)