Toni & Zanjoe on couples they admire

MANILA, Philippines - Toni Gonzaga and Zanjoe Marudo, who star in Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi, revealed their thoughts on love, showbiz marriages and the divorce debate in a presscon for the wedding comedy, a co-production of Star Cinema and OctoArts Films. 

In the film, Toni plays the lead role of a shy, provincial lass who, after working in Japan as a Japayuki, returns home as a loudmouthed and modern bride. Zanjoe, on the other hand, is the reluctant, conservative husband-to-be. The film is also topbilled by Eugene Domingo with Wendell Ramos — they play a couple dealing with the breakdown of their marriage. The film, even with its comedic approach, aims to be a study of contrast on getting married and getting separated. Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi is directed by Jose Javier Reyes. 

Both Toni and Zanjoe were asked during the presscon at Burgoo’s in Tomas Morato last Aug. 18, if they are already entertaining the idea of marriage. The 27-year-old actress and host said that while she feels secure in her relationship with movie and TV director Paul Soriano, settling down is not yet a priority. “I have plans, of course, of having my own family, but I haven’t set a deadline,” Toni said. “But I’ve always said that my ideal age of settling down is 30-plus because I still have a lot of work to do and I’m just grabbing all the opportunities.”

On her ideal wedding, she visualized the ceremony to be “simple.” “Gusto ko lang makasal sa church kung saan ako lumaki sa Taytay. I’m already happy with that.”

Zanjoe likewise said that he isn’t ready to take the plunge. “That’s still far from happening. There are other more important things to deal with other than (getting married),” he said.

The 29-year-old model-turned-actor, who is exclusively dating Bea Alonzo, further said, “(Bea and I) both want to do many other things. Nagsisimula pa lang naman kami at bago pa lang kami magkakilala. Masyado pang malayo para pag-usapan ang susunod na chapter ng buhay.”

They, nevertheless, shared what they think is the main ingredient needed for any relationship to work. Zanjoe said, “The basic thing is trust kasi pag yun nawala, ginawang miserable yung buhay mo. Dun nagsisimula yung love sa trust.”

For Toni’s part, trust can only do so much since relationships require constant and mutual effort. “I’m still not an expert on love even if I’ve been in a relationship for four years already. Feeling ko nagsisimula pa rin. I think every relationship is a work-in-progress every day. Both parties have to put an effort to make it work.”

The stars were also prompted to weigh in on the burning issue of divorce. The Philippines is the only country in the world that doesn’t legalize divorce.

Zanjoe said, “I find it hard to comment. Sa ngayon pwede sabihin pro kasi kung di na talaga pwede, pakawalan niyo na ang isa’t isa.”

“Pero pag ganun naman kadali din, lahat nalang pwede mag-asawa dahil madali lang maghiwalay. So, the important thing is that before you marry, make sure you’re ready for it,” he added.

Toni, however, said that she is totally against divorce. “Ako, anti-divorce talaga ako, kasi babae ako, pag-naghiwalay mas malaki ang nawawala sa babae. I also believe that what God has put together, let no man separate, not even the papers.”

Despite the many examples of marriages disintegrating in the world of showbiz, both Zanjoe and Toni still believe that there are unions that remain strong and are worth emulating.

For Toni, she looks up to the marriage of Aga Muhlach and Charlene Gonzales, her co-host in The Buzz. She said, “From the way I’ve seen (Charlene) as a mother and wife, how she takes care of her husband and kids… I couldn’t help but look up to her, to the couple and their family as a whole. You can really see how well they have raised their kids. Kitang kita na ang mga kids nila ay products of a happy marriage.”

Zanjoe cited Richard Gomez and Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez as another good example. “Sa industriya naman, ang nakasama ko lang talaga ay si Goma (Richard) at si Lucy. They’ve been together for years already, but they’re still happy and sweet to each other. And they really look good together. Pagnakita mo sila, alam mo yung hindi na matatapos yung marriage nila, alam mong magkadikit sila hanggang tumanda. Parang pinagtagpo talaga sila.”

Wedding Tayo, Wedding Hindi opens in over 100 theaters nationwide on Aug. 31.