First posted 10:07pm (Mla time) Feb 13, 2006
By Dolly Anne Carvajal
Inquirer
http://news.inq7.net/entertainment/index.php?index=2&story_id=66057&col=27
Editor’s Note: Published on Page A2-5 of the February 14, 2006 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer
I must say it’s more than just coincidence that Valentine’s Day falls on the same day that this column is scheduled to come out. Cupid is giving the hopeless romantic in me (or is it hopeless case?) the perfect alibi to write about amore. Even if this Day of Hearts is more of a Day of Hurts for me this year, I am opting for vicarious thrills.
To put me in the mood, I thought of my three fave show biz couples—Albert and Liezl Martinez, Cesar Montano and Sunshine Cruz, Julius and Tin-Tin Babao. I asked the wives what’s the most unforgettable thing their hubbies did for them, plus their V-Day message.
But before we go into that, allow me to salute The Martinezes, Montanos and Babaos for keeping their love afloat in turbulent show biz waters. Most celebrity couples turn this thing called love, which is supposed to be immortal, into something immoral! What with all the temptation that comes with the territory! These couples are living proof that
marriage ain’t passé in show biz après tout.
I am more than happy to have played a part in Albert and Liezl’s melodramatic love story. Before Albert flew to the United States to elope with Liezl, he told me about their plans. When they disappeared, a frantic Tita Nena (a.k.a. Amalia Fuentes—Liezl’s mom) waited for me to come home, to interrogate me. She waited for hours. I went home only when I knew she was gone. My vow of secrecy is as solid as Albert and Liezl’s marriage vows. They endured the unendurable during their struggling years in the US. I was moved to tears as one of their bridesmaids because I knew how they fought for their love. Albert and Liezl remind us that there are rewards for staying when the easier thing to do would be to leave.
I have seen Buboy and Shine in unguarded moments. I recently spent time with them in their Bohol rest house. She has really “tamed” him. I remember when Buboy and I were judges in Ms Sandugo (Bohol’s Fairest). Shine wasn’t able to watch the pageant; she kept badgering Buboy, asking if the candidates were sexier than she was, since she was pregnant at the time. Buboy played along and told her he fell for one of the girls. They taunted each other non-stop and we all had a good laugh watching them act like high school kids. Buboy and Shine teach us that even if marriage is serious business, couples should not forget to have fun.
It was a delight to be in “Magandang Umaga Bayan” (“M.U.P” now) with Julius and Tin. Even if my “Dollywood” movie review segment then was taped and theirs went on live, I often got to bond with the couple in the dressing room. There’s usually an unwritten rule that co-workers should not fall for each other. Julius and Tin showed us that love makes you defy all the rules. It’s more forgivable to break rules than to break hearts. The Babaos are role models for all friends who yearn to be lovers but are too cautious to make the move. Their story tells us that the friendship doesn’t have to end just because we let love take over.
May the anecdotes below make your heart smile, knowing that even if love doesn’t work for you right now, at least it does for others. There’s always enough love to go around; we just all have to wait for our turn. Love is patient, but please hurry (hahaha)!
Liezl Martinez
Albert has done so many unforgettable things for me throughout our 21 years of marriage. But what means the most to me is when he turned his back on everything and gave up his show biz career even when it was at its peak just to start a life with me from the bottom, with all the uncertainties. He didn’t mind, as long as we were together. We had no maids in the US; we did everything on our own. He worked as a gasoline boy and was paid $3.20 per hour. He persevered, just so he could provide for me and our then unborn child Alyanna. He also worked as a baker even if he was allergic to flour because of his asthma. Once he had a severe attack at work and almost died! He could have had a life of luxury as an actor in the Philippines but he chose to be with me. Albert, thank you for being my husband, my lover and best friend. Here’s to another 21 years of marriage and beyond!
Sunshine Cruz
I’ll never forget when Buboy first brought me to Bohol. He set a romantic dinner for two in the middle of nowhere and had the Loboc choir serenade me. That’s when he asked me to be his wife.
Buboy, Whatever trials we go through—kasi alam kong ang dami gustong guluhin ang family natin—I assure you that I won’t allow anybody or anything to ruin us. You are my life. Thanks for all the patience and understanding!”
Tin-Tin Babao
What stands out in my memory is when Julius proposed to me on national TV, on Sharon Cuneta’s show. I can never get over that! Recently, after mass, we were walking along the aisle and he suddenly looked at me and said, “I’ll marry you a million times over!” I melted! Julius, When all else is taken away from me, I will find comfort in the
thought that I have you to love. I may not have all the things I dream of in life but at the end of the day I have love because I have you!”
PERSONAL: TO S.L., thanks for you-know-what…
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