Helen Gamboa: 42 years of marital bliss

MANILA, Philippines - Food, glorious food and its presentation must have played a vital role in the inspiring love story of Helen Gamboa and husband of 42 years, Sen. Tito Sotto or Tito Sen.

Making a surprise appearance in Kris TV which focused on Helen as lady chef (who could give Master Chef a run for its money), the senator always makes it a point to have dinner at home beside his beauteous wife.

In Kris TV, Helen dished out Prawn Pasta, her own recipe which made the host, a good cook herself, remark, “it has a sauce to die for. Bongga.”

Pasta happens to be the senator’s favorite and when homegrown dish is concerned, he said, “Walang tatalo sa sinigang ng misis ko.”

Prodded to reveal the secret of their successful marriage, the dancing Queen of the Sixties shared.

“You have to work for it because marriage is a lifetime commitment made before the eyes of the Lord. Also, always keep the flames of love burning. With Tito, every day is Valentine’s Day. He is a hopeless romantic like me.”

Helen was at the peak of her movie career when she married Tito, a band musician of VST. Looking back, she recalled, “When we exchanged ‘I do’s,’ I knew I have to give up a prosperous career. He never asked me to do that. Ako talaga ang nag-desisyon because I want to be a perfect wife to him. I want to devote my time 24/7 as they say, to my husband and children. One thing I didn’t give up though is singing. He is a music man himself kaya he fully understands. Never itong naging sagabal sa aming marital union. In fact, nakatulong pa nga ito.”

At this point, Tito Sen couldn’t help but exclaim, “I thank God every day for giving me Helen. She is my life.” I thought these lines can only be heard in teleseryes.

Talk of teleserye brings back good memories of the highly-successful Walang Hanggan, Helen’s comeback project for the Kapamilya network. Her portrayal of the arrogant and manipulative Doña Margaret is considered a landmark of her showbiz career. The switch of image and her marked performance are, for some critics, crowning achievements for the favorite leading lady of the late Fernando Poe Jr.

What would be next for this ageless beauty who need not seek Belo to remain flawless?

“Singing has always been a passion for me. I hope to record cover hits as well as originals. For personal consumption, I want to sing duets with my daughter Ciara. We are a very musical family. I haven’t done a stage play and it should be a new and totally absorbing experience for me,” she said.

Like playing Mrs. Robinson, made famous by the late actress Anne Bancroft in The Graduate?

Helen let out a sweet, sweet smile and quipped, “but dahling, I can only display my legs.”

And what pair of shapely legs she’s got which the legendary Marlene Dietrich possessed had it insured. Or more fittingly, recreate the character of Elizabeth Barrett-Browning of Wimpole Street whose pledge of love begins with famous lines, “How do I love thee, let me count the ways.”

Her husband Tito would definitely approve of this.