Sarah & Matteo: The pictures tell the real story

What would I do without your smart mouth?

Drawing me in, and you kicking me out.

You’ve got my head spinning, no kidding.

I can’t pin you down.

What’s going on in that beautiful mind?

I’m on your magical mystery ride.

And I’m so dizzy, don’t know what hit me,

But I’ll be all right.

My head’s under water

But I’m breathing fine.

You’re crazy and I’m out of my mind.

—from All Of Me by John Legend

Five days after Sarah Geronimo and Matteo Guidicelli did a duet of that song, so meaningful that it has become some kind of their “theme song,” they sang it together again at Matteo’s 24th birthday last Friday, March 28, at Tipsy Pig (an elite venue in Pasig City). Matteo’s birthday is March 26.

Action speaks louder than words. Even if they haven’t categorically admitted that they’ve been going steady (for almost a year now) in deference to Sarah’s parents who, as usual and as expected, frown on any boy who takes fancy on Sarah and vice-versa (the list is getting longer, including John Lloyd Cruz, Rayver Cruz and Gerald Anderson who didn’t get to first base because their every move was thwarted, especially by Sarah’s mom Divine’s airtight guarding), the sweethearts are proudly and happily showing the whole wide world how happy they are together. A case of, well, you and me against (not the world but) unreasonable parental control?

The exclusive pictures accompanying this piece unequivocably tell the true and the real story that has been squeezed dry of details by the tabs. It’s only now that Sarah and Matteo are shown lovey-dovey — holding hands, exchanging loving glances, hugging as if not liking to let go of each other and, yes, kissing (tenderly now, or Mom Divine might run berserk!).

Believe it or not but I was in Singapore over the weekend to cover the Amazing Spider-Man 2 junket and the Earth Hour event (more on them later) when I received these pictures from a generous informer who loves The STAR so much that, he said, “I won’t and I can’t let any other paper publish them,” making me promise, crossing my heart, that I would keep his identity confidential. Promise!!!

I’m sure that you too will swoon over Sarah and Matteo as they enjoyed their private moment together. Oops! Not so private because those close to Matteo and some of his and Sarah’s fellow Kapamilya (among them Sarah’s “almost-ex” JLC with his girlfriend Angelica Panganiban, and his Galema and Biggest Loser co-stars) were there. Matteo’s parents, Gian Carlo Guidicelli and entrepreneur Glenna Fernan Guidicelli (from the clan of the late Chief Justice Marcelo Fernan), and also his younger sister Georgia (who flew in from San Francisco purposely for the event; but their only brother, 10-year-old Paolo, was not around). Sarah was accompanied by Mom Divine (but Sarah’s father Delfin was absent).

It was a memorable, exclusive party, including even diplomats among the Birthday Boy’s well-wishers. Sarah and Matteo arrived at the same time but in separate cars. On the red carpet, they walked holding hands. Everybody’s heart went out to the sweethearts as they entered the venue widely smiling.

The highlight of the event was the sweethearts’ duet (yes, of All Of Me), prompting the guests (also including the ever-in-love Dr. Vicki Belo) to rise in rapt attention, with some of them shouting their “demand” — “Kiss, kiss, kiss!” Sarah did kiss Matteo, all right, but only gently on his cheek. Applause!!!

That moment should have touched Mom Divine into believing that it’s high time she let go of Sarah who has been working so hard all these years that she really deserves to be happy just like hard-working girls her age (she’s already turning 26 on July 25!). Otherwise, living like a virtual “prisoner” (or a bird in a golden cage), she runs the risk of growing older sad and bitter, in quiet rebellion for a long-lost cause. Oh yes, she already expressed her frustration and open defiance when she cut her hair (it becomes her!), as if to say, “I may cut my hair but nobody can cut my road to my own happiness”).

I heard that Matteo’s family has met Sarah and they like her so much. Matteo belongs to one of Cebu’s most influential and most respected families.

As the movie press told Sarah during a presscon last year, “Huwag mo nang pakawalan si Matteo.”

Correct. Or else it might take time for her to find somebody like him.

I will have to end this piece with another excerpt from the John Legend song.

‘Cause all of me

Loves all of you.

Love your curves and all your edges,

All your perfect imperfections.

Give your all to me,

I’ll give my all to you.

You’re my end and my beginning

Even when I lose I’m winning

’Cause I give you all of me

And you give me all of you…

(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.)