A Pledge of Love at Taj Mahal

My pledge of love cannot be broken,

Like precious jewel it holds my feeling.

The cord that binds our hearts together,

The only witness to our pleasant dreams.

My pledge of love cannot be broken,

And I believe it’s there with you forever.

If I must die to lose the love you gave,

Again I’ll come to life and pledge my love again.  — from My Pledge of Love by Edgar Mortiz

Once again, a re-reading of the romantic story (culled from the Internet) behind the Taj Mahal in Agra, India, the place where Robin Padilla and Mariel Rodriguez made their own pledge of love on Aug. 19, 2010, and to which they keep on going back, as if drawn by a huge magnet:

The Taj Mahal is a mausoleum located in Agra, India. It is one of the most recognizable structures in the world. It was built by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It is widely considered as one of the most beautiful buildings in the world and stands as a symbol of eternal love.

Taj Mahal is the finest example of Mughal architecture, a style that combines elements from Persian, Islamic and Indian architectural styles.

Exclusive photos courtesy of Robin and Mariel

In 1983, the Taj Mahal became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. While the white domed marble mausoleum is the most familiar component of the Taj Mahal, it is actually an integrated complex of structures. The construction began around 1632 and was completed around 1653, employing thousands of artisans and craftsmen. The construction of the Taj Mahal was entrusted to a board of architects under imperial supervision, including Abdul-Karim Ma‘mur Khan, Makramat Khan, and Ustad Ahmad Lahauri. Lahauri is generally considered to be the principal designer.

In 1631, Shah Jahan, emperor during the Mughal empire’s period of greatest prosperity, was grief-stricken when his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, died during the birth of their fourteenth child, Gauhara Begum. Construction of the Taj Mahal began in 1632, one year after her death. The court chronicles of Shah Jahan’s grief illustrate the love story traditionally held as an inspiration for Taj Mahal. The principal mausoleum was completed in 1648 and the surrounding buildings and garden were finished five years later. Emperor Shah Jahan himself described the Taj in these words:

Should guilty seek asylum here,

Like one pardoned, he becomes free from sin.

Should a sinner make his way to this mansion,

All his past sins are to be washed away.

The sight of this mansion creates sorrowing sighs;

And the sun and the moon shed tears from their eyes.

In this world this edifice has been made;

To display thereby the creator’s glory.

The Taj Mahal incorporates and expands on design traditions of Persian architecture and earlier Mughal architecture. Specific inspiration came from successful Timurid and Mughal buildings including; the Gur-e Amir (the tomb of Timur, progenitor of the Mughal dynasty, in Samarkand), Humayun’s Tomb, Itmad-Ud-Daulah’s Tomb (sometimes called the Baby Taj), and Shah Jahan’s own Jama Masjid in Delhi. While earlier Mughal buildings were primarily constructed of red sandstone, Shah Jahan promoted the use of white marble inlaid with semi-precious stones, and buildings under his patronage reached new levels of refinement.

The newly-weds came back a few days ago from India where they spent their honeymoon and shot a movie. Last Tuesday, Nov. 23, Robin celebrated his 41st birthday with a quiet dinner with Mariel, 26, and daughters Kylie and Queenie (who is in the movie with Ejay Falcon, who is “just a friend” of Queenie’s) and a few close friends besides. Last Friday, they sat for separate exclusive Conversations, telling it like it is, with no holds barred.

(To Robin) Paano ba kayo nag-pledge of love during your wedding in Taj Mahal?

Robin with daughter Queenie who co-stars with him and Mariel in Tom, the movie they shot in India

Robin: Iba ang kasal sa Islamic rites. Very simple. Done in Arabic. Hindi masyadong naintindihan ni Mariel so what we did after the Imam had wed us, we went back to the mosque and did our vows the Western way --- you know, “in sickness and in health…” Tinanggal lang namin ‘yung “younger and older.” Hahahaha!

You have fallen in love with Taj Mahal. You’ve been there three times na yata. The first time two times, just by yourself. Then, for your wedding. This time again with Mariel for the movie.

Robin: You know the story of Taj Mahal, it’s the monument of undying love. You know, n’ung nag-divorce kami ni Liezl, I didn’t want to get married again. I thought I’d just enjoy being a bachelor, kasi hindi ko naman talaga na-enjoy ang pagka-binata because when I joined showbiz, partner na kami ni Liezl. Hindi ako kailanman naging single. When I went to India to train (in Indian martial arts), they told me stories about the Taj Mahal, I was inspired so I told them, “I want to go there.” I prayed in the mosque na sana pagbalik ko sa Pilipinas makikita ko na ‘yung babaing mamahalin ako.

Paano mo nasiguro na si Mariel na ‘yon?

Robin: Siguro sa murang edad ni Mariel, she never says no to me, maybe because she respects me bilang nakatatanda sa kanya at bilang artistang mas senior sa kanya. We never had any conflict. Basta sinabi ko, nakikinig siya.

Maybe she also looks up to you as an older brother, a kuya.

Robin: I think so. Lahat siguro nakita n’ya sa akin. Naramdaman ko na kailangan n’ya ako. Sa isang lalaki, importante ‘yung nararamdaman mo.

(To Mariel) It’s your second time to visit Taj Mahal. What did you do there this time?

Mariel: We stayed there longer this time, about a month. What did we do there? Oh, we read a book about the Mongol Empire, we just relaxed. It’s actually part of the movie, so I purposely didn’t give you a copy of that picture. The book is very interesting.

(To Robin) Could you tell us more about the movie?

Robin: It’s called Tom (the Indian title meaning You). I’m directing it with some Indian directors. We want to release it as a Valentine offering in February next year, as a co-production venture between my own company RCP Productions and an Indian company.

Robin also with Queenie during a break on the set of Tom, with Queenie’s good friend Ejay Falcon who also appears in the movie

(To Mariel) What is your term of endearment?

Mariel: I call him Babe and he also calls me Babe.

(To Mariel) Did you go out of Agra?

Mariel: We stayed in Alipur, a town near Bangalore.

(To Mariel) Let’s clarify one thing. You went to Agra for the second time not to get married…

Mariel: No. We were there for the movie. The first time we were there, on Aug. 19, that was when we got married talaga. You know, if you go to India and you don’t visit the Taj Mahal, parang kulang.

(To Mariel) And the “ceremony” in Baguio was not a wedding, right?

Mariel: No, as I’ve been saying, it was not a wedding. It was just a ritual to introduce me to Babe’s Igorot roots. There was some confusion about it. How could there be two weddings? Ano ang magiging wedding anniversary namin kung dalawa ang wedding namin?

(To Mariel) So how did you spend your honeymoon?

Mariel: It was a good chance for us to really know each other. Another level na ‘yung mag-asawa na kayo, di ba? Ngayon alam ko na ang work ethic ni Babe, alam ko na kung ano at sino talaga siya. He also learned a lot about me. We discovered a lot about each other.”

Like what?

Mariel: Grabe pala talaga siya mag-trabaho…

…at magmahal?

Mariel: Opo, opo! At ang dedication n’ya sa isang bagay grabe! If he dedicates himself to something, whether it’s work or love, grabe!”

(To Robin) What have you discovered about Mariel during your last, longer stay in India?

Robin: Si Mariel, isa siyang batang, sa tingin ko, lumaki sa silver platter. Alagang-alaga siguro siya ng kanyang lolo at lola. Alam ko na hindi naman siguro siya marunong magluto pero ginagawa n’ya ‘yon para ipakita n’ya na asawa siya. The first thing she’ll do when she wakes up is prepare my coffee. Kasi ako, kapag hindi nakapag-kape, mina-migraine ako.

Tama naman ang timpla ng kape?

Robin (Hesitating): Hmmmm, oo…oo naman. Noong una, masyadong matamis pero later on natuto naman siya. Noong una, grande siya gumawa ng breakfast, eh, hindi talaga ako nagbri-breakfast ng heavy. Noong una, medyo tinitiis ko. After two weeks, hindi na ako nakatiis, so I told her, “Alam mo, Mariel, oatmel lang ang kinakain ko sa umaga.” Kasi hindi ako sanay ng breakfast na may itlog at kung anu-ano pa. Madali naman siyang natuto.

(To Mariel) How does Robin show his love?

Mariel: He makes me feel like a queen. Ayaw n’ya kahit madapuan man lang ako ng lamok, ayaw n’ya talaga! It’s true po! 

(To Mariel) What’s the effect of Taj Mahal on you?

Mariel: Malalim. The first time we were there, it was very solemn. (It was the remaining days of Ramadan. --- RFL) This time, there were so many people, so unlike the first time when we felt that we had the place all to ourselves. If ever you go there, my advice is not to go on a weekend when there are many people there. Just the same, nagawa din naman namin ‘yung naupo lang kami doon at nagkuwentuhan while we appreciated the beauty of the place.

Yours is a whirlwind romance. Ang bilis ng pangyayari. When did you realize that you were in love with Robin and he’s The One?

Mariel: I just knew that he’s The One. I just felt it. You understand why...after you met a couple of wrong guys before, and when the right one comes, you know he’s The One. Mararamdaman mo naman po, eh.

(To Robin) When did you realize that you were in love with Mariel?

Robin: When we were on Wowowee, she didn’t show it kapag magkatabi kami. But she would send me notes. I was already sleeping in ABS-CBN. When I went back to my dressing room after the rehearsal, I would find notes na hindi sinasabi kung kanino galing. Then, may mga pagkain na iniiwan doon. I would ask people around kung saan galing pero ayaw naman nila sabihin.

(To Robin) They say that the best way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Parang ganoon ang ginawa ni Mariel.

Robin: Ganoon na nga.

(To Mariel) I’m sure that, being a Muslim and entitled to three more wives, to Robin you’re The One, The Only, ‘no?

Mariel: Yes, I know. Hahahaha!

Is Robin jealous…possessive?

Mariel: I think, hmmmm, lagi n’ya lang iniisip ‘yung kapakanan ko. Ayaw n’ya lang na nababastos ako. That makes me feel protected. It’s not naman jealousy, di po ba?

What if you make a movie with another leading man?

Mariel: We haven’t really talked about that yet. If there’s one who wants you to shine when you work, it’s him.

What about you, aren’t you the jealous type (especially since so many women gravitate towards Robin)?

Mariel: Right now, there’s no reason for me to be jealous. Opo talaga.

Have you talked to Liezel Sicangco (Robin’s ex-wife), even on the phone?

Mariel: No, we haven’t, we haven’t.

Liezel said in a phone-patch (from Australia where she’s based with her new husband and her and Robin’s two children, Alih and Zhen-Zhen) with Startalk that she’s happy for you and Robin.

Mariel: Thank you naman po. Nakikita ko naman na maganda ‘yung pinagsamahan nila. I could see it in their children. They’ve been brought up very well; very high ang regard nila sa mga magulang nila. Maganda ang mga values na na-inculcate sa kanila. With me, walang masamang tinapay.

How do you spend time with your stepchildren? Halos magka-edad lang kayo ni Queenie.

Mariel: Opo! ‘Yun nga ang nakakatuwa. Like one day, the girls dropped by our place. When I mentioned Phoebe Cates, Queenie said, ‘”Oh, that’s my mama’s favorite actress!’” Sabi ko naman, “And my mom’s, too!” Pareho kami ng mindset kaya madali kaming magkaintindihan.

(To Mariel) You don’t feel naman the 15-year age-gap between you and Robin, ‘no?

Mariel: Hindi naman po.

Sabagay, when two people are in love, age doesn’t really matter.

Mariel: Totoo po ‘yan!

They said that kaya nahulog ang loob mo kay Robin because your parents broke up when you were a toddler and you grew up with your lola (former LVN actress May Villarica) and your lolo, so there’s this constant longing for love inside you…not that your grandparents didn’t give you enough love.

Mariel: Ganoon na nga po siguro.

So you are close to Robin’s family and vice-versa.

Mariel: Yes, we are. We easily blended into each other’s families.

Back to Taj Mahal…When you were there in that solemn place, so conducive for soul-searching, did you ask forgiveness from those who you felt you have wronged and did you forgive those who you felt have wronged you?

Mariel: Yes, I felt that way. I’m at peace with myself and with the world around me. I sleep soundly at night. Wala akong guilty conscience.

By the way, it’s your first Christmas together. How will you spend it? Will it be the Muslim way or the Catholic/Christian way?

Mariel: Hindi ko pa po alam kung paano sila nagsi-celebrate, eh. But I guess we’ll celebrate it according to Filipino tradition.

(To Mariel) How soon will you become a Muslim?

 Mariel: Hindi ko pa po alam, eh.

Robin: Hindi ko siya pinipilit. Walang pilitan sa Islam.

(To Robin) How soon do you plan to have a baby?

Robin: In three years. I was telling Mariel, “Alagaan mo muna ako. Ako muna ang baby mo.” Gusto ko naman ‘yung inaalagaan ako, eh. Si Liezel naman, talagang inalagaan ako lalo na n’ung nakulong ako. Kaya lang, nang lumalaki na ang mga anak namin, sila na ang priority ni Liezel. It was Jun (de Leon) who taught me that. (It was Jun de Leon who took Robin’s pictures when Robin was training for the GMA action-drama show Totoy Bato in Baguio. --- RFL). When he learned about my divorce (from Liezel), he told me, “Kapag nag-asawa ka uli, huwag ka munang mag-anak; you enjoy your life together first.” So that’s what I told Mariel.

(To Robin) Are you family-planning?

Robin (Laughing): “I Trust!” (An obvious plug for Trust, the condom he’s endorsing)

How would you describe each other in three words?

Robin: Sweet, fragile (konting kibot lang iyakin), very sexy. Very, very sexy!

Mariel: Real, masculine, caring2.

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