‘We got married so young, but hindi kami nagkamali sa isa’t isa. — Sen. Bong Revilla’
Sen. Bong Revilla and Rep. Lani Mercado
Sen. BONG Revilla and Congresswoman Lani Mercado have been married for 36 years now. Bong is now 56 and Lani is 54. Their marriage is one of the most long lasting in local showbiz. What’s their secret?
“I guess, unang-una, nakakapit kami kay Lord,” said Bong. “We got married so young, but hindi kami nagkamali sa isa’t isa. Marami rin kaming pinagdaanan but with the Lord’s help, nalampasan namin. Dapat may commitment kayo sa isa’t isa, kasi ang pag-aasawa, hindi parang damit yan na huhubarin at magpapalit ka na ng ibang damit.”
“Ang paghihiwalay, dapat pag-isipan munang mabuti,” said Lani. “If you can still save your relationship, then save it. When I was a mayor, marami akong ikinasal and I always tell them na ayokong makitang yung ikinasal ko, maghihiwalay lang. Both husband and wife should make an effort to make their marriage work.”
Bong and Lani have seven children and they’re happy that all of them are now accomplished in their own fields. Their youngest, Ramon Vicente or Ram, has finished business management and was there at the birthday lunch his dad hosted for the entertainment press. Jolo, their second child, was also there and is now congressman in Cavite’s First District.
His “Agimat ng Agila” on GMA-7 was a big hit. Will they have a Book 3? “Iba naman. Napag-usapan namin ng GMA, pahinga muna si ‘Agimat.’ Ang gagawin ko is ‘Alyas Pogi, The Series.’ As a movie, ‘Alyas Pogi,’ about a fearless law enforcer, is one of my biggest hits, so susubukan naman nating gawin siya sa TV.”
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Ashley Diaz gets her biggest break playing the lead role in Viva’s new horror film, “Mary Cherry Chua”. Ashley is the 18-year old daughter of Joko Diaz and she was introduced in the TV series “Di Na Muli” where she was paired with Andre Yllana, the son of Aiko Melendez and Jomari Yllana.
“I am so grateful to Viva for giving me this break, this opportunity,” she says. “Excited din ako kasi I am working with my father para malalapitan ko agad siya kung kailangan ko ng tulong.”
“Mary Cherry Chua” is based on a popular urban legend circulating since the early 2000s about an intelligent young student who was raped and killed by the school janitor. It is said that her spirit still wanders in the school premises.
In 2003, a horror story about Mary Cherry Chua was published in the 2nd book of True Philippine Ghost Stories. In 2017, Viva released a pop-fiction about Mary Cherry Chua. Now, we have a new retelling on the big screen of this famous school urban legend.
Ashley plays Karen, a student so intrigued about Mary Cherry Chua’s life that she decides to do her own investigation. But as she digs deeper for the truth, she may have also been digging her own grave after she uncovers something that could endanger her own life.
Joko Diaz supports daughter Ashley as Mr. Manzano, Karen’s term paper adviser. Also in the cast are Kokoy De Santos as Paco (Karen’s cowardly research partner), Lyca Gairanod as Faith (Karen’s supportive best friend), Krisshia Viaje as Lena (Karen’s protective sister) and Abby Bautista as Mary Cherry Chua.
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Alma Moreno was launched in 1976 in “Ligaw ni Bulaklak,” directed by Ishmael Bernal while Dina Bonnevie was launched in 1980 in Regal’s “Katorse,” directed by Joey Gosiengfiao. They now get to work together in the new hilarious sitcom, “Kalye Kweens,” that airs on Saturday on TV5 at 8:30 p.m. and on Sunday at Sari-Sari Channel at 8 p.m.
“We play best friends ni Dina nung mga bata pa kami. Nagkagalit kami kasi boyfriend ko si Jeric Raval pero si Dina ang pinakasalan niya. Pero ako, nakapag-asawa nang mayaman but si Dina, mahirap pa rin.”
She also gets to act for the first time with her son, Vito Marquez. “Lumabas ang pagka-nanay ko while working with him. I give him tips on how to do our scenes together.”
She’s happy that Boss Vic has also been helping her other son, Mark Anthony Fernandez. “Sunod-sunod ang movies niya. At grabe ang discipline niya ngayon. Panay ang work out to keep himself in shape.”
Alma says she is loveless at the moment. “May mga nanliligaw pero wala pang nagpapatibok uli ng puso ko.”
Does she ever see herself marrying again? “Ay hindi na. Happy na ako as I am now. Sixty-three na ako pero wala naman sa hitsura ko, ‘di ba?”
