Gelli and Candy are friends for life

Gelli de Belen and Candy Pangilinan certainly know how to nurture their friendship with time, love, and genuine appreciation.

Theirs is a solid friendship that is meant to last a lifetime. What made me say that? Well, it’s because their friendship has already touched 30, and it is said that when a friendship crosses a seven-year mark, it can be assumed that it is for life.

Gelli and Candy, plus Carmina Villarroel and Janice de Belen, have been gal-pals for 31 years now. They navigate one another’s highs and lows with Gelli and Candy revealing that they openly talk about money.

“Dati humiram ako sa kanya for business,” admitted Candy on borrowing money from friends.

Gelli declared that they can count on each other, all the more so on money matters. “There are friends you will never borrow (money) from because it is said that it’s best not to. But if ever the time comes that we will need to, I know and she knows that we can lend each other.”

Gelli also doesn’t see any harm in partnering with friends in putting up a business as long as there are set parameters to avoid anything that would affect their relationship.

“If there’s a contract or there’s a ‘black and white,’ it is possible,” she pointed out.

In fact, they had their written agreement signed before a lawyer when they ventured into producing their podcast “Wala Pa Kaming Title.”

“I got a lawyer and then I made sure everything (in the document), talagang pina-check ko lahat at pinabasa ko sa kanila,” shared Candy.

The two do not find anything wrong about discussing one’s finances with Gelli stressing the point that it’s best to honestly tell your friends of your financial capability. “Kunwari ito lang, P500 lang ang kaya ko. As part of the communication, you have to be open para walang gulatan,” said Gelli.

Part of the friendship is giving each other advice whenever one needs it but neither interferes in love.

“Yes, we do give each other pieces of advice and we have this rule na hindi pwedeng pag-awayan ang pera at lalake,” Candy declared.

Gelli delights at the fact that all her friends are in favor of Ariel Rivera – from them being boyfriend-girlfriend to becoming husband and wife.

Both agree that life is not always a bed of roses yet you can expect them to give a helping hand and a shoulder to cry on.

Candy shared, “Noong may pinagdadaanan ako talagang nandoon siya. At minsan ayaw mo na (makinig), pero siya gusto niya pa (mag-salita).”

Gelli pointed out that there are instances when you have to repeatedly tell things until one realizes the situation, but it’s a different story when one has already made a decision. “Kapag nasabi mo na tapos hindi naman sinunod, well, buhay mo ‘yan.”

While the gesture is sweet, they respect when friends prefer not to open up “so you have to give space kasi importante rin ‘yun,” Candy said.

As moms, Gelli and Candy never cease to give the love they possibly could. Gelli has two sons – Joaquin and Julio – who are now in their early 20s and both are based in Canada. Candy, on the other hand, is mom to Quentin, 21.

“I’d like to think that we try our best as parents. As a mom, especially they’re away so, it is harder, it is more painful. But I think there’s a purpose to this and I see the good that’s coming out of it,” Gelli said.

“I’ve seen the sacrifice she’s doing for the kids. So, we don’t make comments when it comes to parenting style,” Candy furthered.

Gelli can only express her admiration for Candy as a mom. “I cannot say anything, especially because I do not know. It’s a different situation with her because Quentin has special needs.

“Wala tayong alam doon whatever she does. She shows it to everybody (through her vlog) na parang you become more aware of how to deal with a child with special needs. We become more aware that it’s not the end of the world for a parent to have that as long as you put your heart and soul into it.”

In situations where one of them is involved in a fight, it’s not typical of them to take sides with their friend right away. For Candy, it does not serve a greater purpose to be enemies with her friends’ enemies.

“There are always two sides to a story so we have to hear both sides or sandali lang ganito ‘yung nangyari, baka naman ganito dapat. We have to be mature and fair because we are of age already,” Gelli stated.

What if one of them has a problem but she’s mum about it?

“There’s a time to talk and there’s a time to keep quiet. Through the years, we have discovered that not all conversations should be done right away. Not all confrontations should be done right where they happen. There are times when you really have to step away and let everybody process and come back when all is ready to talk,” Gelli replied.

“Importante sa friendship ang space,” Candy emphasized.