Encore: Lovers in Paris

This is Part Two of Pasig City (not Rizal as wrongly mentioned in Part One) Congressman Roman Romulo and Valenzuela City Councilor Shalani Soledad’s honeymoon in Europe.

Part One chronicled the newlyweds (who vowed to stay together for better or for worse, till…on Jan. 22) on their Roman holiday, showing them lovey-dovey (as honeymooners should be) in Rome’s most romantic places (Spanish Steps, Fountain of Trevi, etc.).

Rome was actually the couple’s second destination after they spent three days in Paris, the City of Lights, like ordinary tourists. They took the long haul to Paris two days after their wedding.

“They stayed in Paris purposely to just unwind after the rigorous preparations for their wedding,” said Mons Tantoco, Roman’s older sister. “Pagod na pagod sila, so they needed to rest and relax.”

Pictures on this page show Roman and Shalani taking Paris like other couples would do happily getting lost and finding their way with relief back to their hotel. Nobody to guide them. Roman has been to Paris and he should know his way around a bit.

Even if the couple wanted to stay longer and visit other places in Europe they just could not because of work waiting for them back home.

Shalani attends to her constituents in Valenzuela and Roman to his own in Pasig City. Sometimes, Roman goes out of town and Shalani keeps him company, like his recent trip to Cebu.

“But they see to it that they have dinner together no matter how busy they are,” said Mons who confirmed in Part One that Roman and Shalani, while waiting for their dream love nest to be finished, are temporarily staying with their parents, former Foreign Affairs Sec. Bert Romulo and Lovely Romulo, at the Romulos’ family residence.

“Their lives are back to normal,” said Mons, meaning that Roman and Shalani are mostly attending sessions in their respective bailiwicks. “They’re supportive of each other.”

Next year, they will be busy campaigning, Shalani for congresswoman and Roman for re-election. For sure, they will alternately campaign for each other.

Anytime now, Shalani will be back on TV5 as one of Edu Manzano’s co-hosts (with her own segment) in a noontime game show.

Pressed for a word on how soon Shalani and Roman will have a child, Mons begged off.

“As I said, it’s something too personal for me to ask them about it,” said Mons. “Only Shalani can answer that,” and then quoting what Shalani usually says when asked about it “In God’s time. If it’s there, then it’s there.”

But maybe Shalani and Roman should work double time before the campaign period begins?

“It’s up to them,” said Mons.

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions to [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on www.twitter/therealrickylo.)