You probably notice that my blog is kinda messed up. Well, while modifying my blog, i accidentally deleted some codes and clicking the Save Changes. Yes i didn't have any freaking backups. Oh well, CRAP! Shit happens! I can't help it, I feel so damn sleepy.
By tomorrow, I will definitely fix my blog and add some more layout .
Hopefully while i am sleeping, it will ease my anger bit by bit.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
We All Face The Same Destiny
At a tender age of 17, Marcial was a war correspondent for The Manila Times. Marcial's war experience provided him with a treasure chest of stories which inspired him to write a movie screenplay. His screenplay was made into a movie, starring Jaime de la Rosa and a 16- year old actress named Dorothy. Helmed by renowned director Lamberto Avellana, the movie was a huge success. During the first FAMAS award ceremony in 1952, Dorothy received the first FAMAS trophy for best supporting actress for her role in the movie.
The only child of a US soldier and a Filipina, Dorothy was also a semi-finalist in the 1952 Miss Philippines beauty contest. It was therefore not surprising that Marcial got so enamored with Dorothy that he did everything to court her. Marcial even carried Dorothy's make-up kit during movie shootings. Marcial became Dorothy's dakilang alalay.
Dorothy studied pre-Law at the University of Santo Tomas but her booming movie career made it impossible for her to continue. Likewise, Marcial took up Law at the University of the Philippines but the lure of journalism ended his dream of becoming a lawyer.
Marcial became known for his gift of gab and political skill. This led to his victory as a town mayor at a young age of 22. Meanwhile, Dorothy became popular for her acting prowess and dancing skill. This led to her victory in several acting derbies. Marcial's younger sister was the director of the movie which won for Dorothy her last FAMAS best supporting actress award.
But while Philippine politics and show business naturally intertwine, political kingpin Marcial and movie queen Dorothy were not destined to be together.
Dorothy married a man named Victorino who fathered her only daughter. But their union did not last. After a series of unsuccessful relationships, Dorothy finally tied the knot again with an American B-movie actor-singer. In contrast, Marcial remained faithfully married all his life to an American-educated woman who bore his only son and four daughters.
But while Marcial survived the Korean War which he covered, he did not survive the war on the home front. Likewise, Dorothy did not survive her own war at home. Both Marcial and Dorothy suffered violent deaths. Marcial was shot. Dorothy was stabbed several times.
Committed 18 years apart, the separate murders of Marcial and Dorothy made headlines several years ago. However, both murders remained unsolved to this day. Some say that identifying their killers is not the issue because everyone, except the authorities, seems to know the identity of their respective killers. Rumors even abound that the masterminds in the murders of Marcial and Dorothy were related to them by affinity. But the real mystery lies in the fact that the perpetrators of these high-profile crimes remain scot-free to this day, despite the enormous clout which the victims' respective family wields.
Some say that Marcial's death was a result of his being branded a communist by the government. This is ironic because the screenplay which Marcial wrote and which won for Dorothy her first FAMAS trophy was the second in a trilogy of anti-communist movies which were produced by LVN Pictures in support of the government's efforts to fight communism.
Dorothy's shocking death led to embarrassing revelations about her painful personal battle. Marcial's equally shocking death led to well-deserved recognition of his heroic political battle.
Dorothy was killed amid rows of cars in the covered and dark parking lot of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board(MTRCB) building. Despite his escorts, Marcial was killed amid rows of airplanes in a wide open space in broad daylight while descending down the tarmac of what was then known as the Manila International Airport (MIA).
Of course, we all know Dorothy as Dolphy's TV wife, Marsha. And we all know Marcial as Cory's real-life husband, Ninoy. Yes, Dorothy Jones was the real name of Nida Blanca.
And yes, Marcial Bonifacio was the fictitious name on the passport of Benigno Aquino, Jr. on the day that he was murdered.
And you know the rest of their stories.
The only child of a US soldier and a Filipina, Dorothy was also a semi-finalist in the 1952 Miss Philippines beauty contest. It was therefore not surprising that Marcial got so enamored with Dorothy that he did everything to court her. Marcial even carried Dorothy's make-up kit during movie shootings. Marcial became Dorothy's dakilang alalay.
Dorothy studied pre-Law at the University of Santo Tomas but her booming movie career made it impossible for her to continue. Likewise, Marcial took up Law at the University of the Philippines but the lure of journalism ended his dream of becoming a lawyer.
Marcial became known for his gift of gab and political skill. This led to his victory as a town mayor at a young age of 22. Meanwhile, Dorothy became popular for her acting prowess and dancing skill. This led to her victory in several acting derbies. Marcial's younger sister was the director of the movie which won for Dorothy her last FAMAS best supporting actress award.
But while Philippine politics and show business naturally intertwine, political kingpin Marcial and movie queen Dorothy were not destined to be together.
Dorothy married a man named Victorino who fathered her only daughter. But their union did not last. After a series of unsuccessful relationships, Dorothy finally tied the knot again with an American B-movie actor-singer. In contrast, Marcial remained faithfully married all his life to an American-educated woman who bore his only son and four daughters.
But while Marcial survived the Korean War which he covered, he did not survive the war on the home front. Likewise, Dorothy did not survive her own war at home. Both Marcial and Dorothy suffered violent deaths. Marcial was shot. Dorothy was stabbed several times.
Committed 18 years apart, the separate murders of Marcial and Dorothy made headlines several years ago. However, both murders remained unsolved to this day. Some say that identifying their killers is not the issue because everyone, except the authorities, seems to know the identity of their respective killers. Rumors even abound that the masterminds in the murders of Marcial and Dorothy were related to them by affinity. But the real mystery lies in the fact that the perpetrators of these high-profile crimes remain scot-free to this day, despite the enormous clout which the victims' respective family wields.
Some say that Marcial's death was a result of his being branded a communist by the government. This is ironic because the screenplay which Marcial wrote and which won for Dorothy her first FAMAS trophy was the second in a trilogy of anti-communist movies which were produced by LVN Pictures in support of the government's efforts to fight communism.
Dorothy's shocking death led to embarrassing revelations about her painful personal battle. Marcial's equally shocking death led to well-deserved recognition of his heroic political battle.
Dorothy was killed amid rows of cars in the covered and dark parking lot of the Movie and Television Review and Classification Board(MTRCB) building. Despite his escorts, Marcial was killed amid rows of airplanes in a wide open space in broad daylight while descending down the tarmac of what was then known as the Manila International Airport (MIA).
Of course, we all know Dorothy as Dolphy's TV wife, Marsha. And we all know Marcial as Cory's real-life husband, Ninoy. Yes, Dorothy Jones was the real name of Nida Blanca.
And yes, Marcial Bonifacio was the fictitious name on the passport of Benigno Aquino, Jr. on the day that he was murdered.
And you know the rest of their stories.
Her Mother's Joy
Her mother has always been proud of her. Mighty proud. And rightly so.
In the spring of 1991, Julia Roberts graced the cover of People Magazine's special issue featuring its annual list of The 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. Together with Julia Roberts in this ultimate list of the most beautiful people were Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Madonna, Mel Gibson, Whitney Houston, Michelle Pfeiffer, Isabella Rossellini, supermodels Claudia Schiffer & Naomi Campbell and oops, a Filipina?
Yes, People Magazine's 1991 list of The 50 Most Beautiful People in the World included a true-blooded Filipina who was born, raised and educated in the Philippines.
Unlike most beautiful Filipinas who were the products of mixed marriages and who have therefore acquired foreign physical features, this Filipina was born to a Filipina mother and a Filipino father. It is no wonder that she does not typify a beautiful woman by any standard: She is short, standing only 5'2". She has a huge and deep acne scar on her forehead. She has that distinct Asian nose (read: flat). She uses only Avon cosmetics (gasp!) and applies makeup by herself. During her pre-Inno Sotto days, her clothes were not made by known couturiers: They were lovingly sewn at home by her mother who is a dressmaker. She does not even have the right genes to inherit beauty from: Her mother was plain, even stern-looking. Her father was a dark-skinned guy with the tough facial features of a hardened military man.
Although both the first names of her mother and father means happy in two different languages, their union was not as joyous. Her mother and father were never married, making her and her only brother illegitimate children.
In the mistress hierarchy, her mother was not even her father's second woman. Her father had a first mistress who ranked above her mother.
She and her brother only belong to their father's third family. And yes, the gay club performer who once appeared on national television was indeed her half-brother. She couldn't therefore be faulted for not talking about her father. In contrast, too much has been known about her mother. Her mother was always visible, too visible for comfort.
Her mother gave her the name Carmen and raised her in a province north of Manila. However, when it was time for her to go to school, her overprotective mother brought her and her brother to Manila to give them the best education. Carmen studied in Preciosa Soliven's Operation Brotherhood Montessori in Greenhills where she emerged as the school's valedictorian. However, Carmen's academic rival protested the school's decision to award Carmen the school's highest honors, claiming that she had better grades than Carmen. Carmen's rival even revealed that the school's owner, Mrs. Soliven, was only fond of Carmen because she always performed in school programs which gave Carmen an edge in extra-curricular activities. But academically, Carmen reportedly did not really rise above her rival.
Lured into show business, Carmen became part of German Moreno's inane daily afternoon TV show, That's Entertainment, where she got paired with comedian and now Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert "Bistek" Bautista. (Some say that Vice Mayor Bautista was so enamored with Carmen that he later refused to marry his partner despite their having a child.) As one of the countless stars of Kuya Germ's That's Entertainment, Carmen's talent was overshadowed by the ridiculous mass appeal of the triumvirate of Sheryl Cruz, Manilyn Reynes and Tina Paner.
Later, Carmen made a couple of forgettable films which were big flops. Unsuccessful in local show business, Carmen enrolled as a BS Biology student in Ateneo de Manila, hoping to become a doctor. However, the lure of fame and fortune shattered her medical ambition. She followed her other dream and landed in a |Dreamland! Yes, instead of comforting innocent and fresh-smelling babies in a hospital, she ended up entertaining horny, sweaty and foul-smelling drunken men in seedy bars.
When Carmen was a little girl, a local manghuhula predicted that she would be crowned Miss Universe. Her mother, legally known as Miss Imutan, was ecstatic upon hearing this. Sadly, the prophecy did not come true.
However, when Carmen was 18 years old, she bagged a beauty title. But it was farfetched from a Miss Universe crown. Carmen became Miss Saigon.
Yes, the only true-blooded Filipina who was included in People Magazine's The 50 Most Beautiful People in the World in 1991 is Feliciano Salonga and Ligaya "Joy" Imutan's only daughter: Carmen Lea Imutan Salonga.
Most of us know her simply as Lea Salonga.
In the spring of 1991, Julia Roberts graced the cover of People Magazine's special issue featuring its annual list of The 50 Most Beautiful People in the World. Together with Julia Roberts in this ultimate list of the most beautiful people were Brad Pitt, Tom Cruise, Madonna, Mel Gibson, Whitney Houston, Michelle Pfeiffer, Isabella Rossellini, supermodels Claudia Schiffer & Naomi Campbell and oops, a Filipina?
Yes, People Magazine's 1991 list of The 50 Most Beautiful People in the World included a true-blooded Filipina who was born, raised and educated in the Philippines.
Unlike most beautiful Filipinas who were the products of mixed marriages and who have therefore acquired foreign physical features, this Filipina was born to a Filipina mother and a Filipino father. It is no wonder that she does not typify a beautiful woman by any standard: She is short, standing only 5'2". She has a huge and deep acne scar on her forehead. She has that distinct Asian nose (read: flat). She uses only Avon cosmetics (gasp!) and applies makeup by herself. During her pre-Inno Sotto days, her clothes were not made by known couturiers: They were lovingly sewn at home by her mother who is a dressmaker. She does not even have the right genes to inherit beauty from: Her mother was plain, even stern-looking. Her father was a dark-skinned guy with the tough facial features of a hardened military man.
Although both the first names of her mother and father means happy in two different languages, their union was not as joyous. Her mother and father were never married, making her and her only brother illegitimate children.
In the mistress hierarchy, her mother was not even her father's second woman. Her father had a first mistress who ranked above her mother.
She and her brother only belong to their father's third family. And yes, the gay club performer who once appeared on national television was indeed her half-brother. She couldn't therefore be faulted for not talking about her father. In contrast, too much has been known about her mother. Her mother was always visible, too visible for comfort.
Her mother gave her the name Carmen and raised her in a province north of Manila. However, when it was time for her to go to school, her overprotective mother brought her and her brother to Manila to give them the best education. Carmen studied in Preciosa Soliven's Operation Brotherhood Montessori in Greenhills where she emerged as the school's valedictorian. However, Carmen's academic rival protested the school's decision to award Carmen the school's highest honors, claiming that she had better grades than Carmen. Carmen's rival even revealed that the school's owner, Mrs. Soliven, was only fond of Carmen because she always performed in school programs which gave Carmen an edge in extra-curricular activities. But academically, Carmen reportedly did not really rise above her rival.
Lured into show business, Carmen became part of German Moreno's inane daily afternoon TV show, That's Entertainment, where she got paired with comedian and now Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert "Bistek" Bautista. (Some say that Vice Mayor Bautista was so enamored with Carmen that he later refused to marry his partner despite their having a child.) As one of the countless stars of Kuya Germ's That's Entertainment, Carmen's talent was overshadowed by the ridiculous mass appeal of the triumvirate of Sheryl Cruz, Manilyn Reynes and Tina Paner.
Later, Carmen made a couple of forgettable films which were big flops. Unsuccessful in local show business, Carmen enrolled as a BS Biology student in Ateneo de Manila, hoping to become a doctor. However, the lure of fame and fortune shattered her medical ambition. She followed her other dream and landed in a |Dreamland! Yes, instead of comforting innocent and fresh-smelling babies in a hospital, she ended up entertaining horny, sweaty and foul-smelling drunken men in seedy bars.
When Carmen was a little girl, a local manghuhula predicted that she would be crowned Miss Universe. Her mother, legally known as Miss Imutan, was ecstatic upon hearing this. Sadly, the prophecy did not come true.
However, when Carmen was 18 years old, she bagged a beauty title. But it was farfetched from a Miss Universe crown. Carmen became Miss Saigon.
Yes, the only true-blooded Filipina who was included in People Magazine's The 50 Most Beautiful People in the World in 1991 is Feliciano Salonga and Ligaya "Joy" Imutan's only daughter: Carmen Lea Imutan Salonga.
Most of us know her simply as Lea Salonga.
It Could Happen Only in the Movies
These two women move in different circles but they seem to lead parallel lives.
Barbara C. Gonzales is the great-granddaughter of national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Her great-grandmother is Dr. Jose Rizal's elder sister, Maria, a liberated woman who was separated from her husband Daniel. Barbara is more popularly known by her nickname, Tweetums. She once appeared in a Del Monte tomato sauce TV commercial featuring three generations of women in the kitchen. Yes, that was Tweetums with her daughter, Panjee, and Tweetum's mother whom they fondly called Mamu.
Tweetums was married to Ramon Tapales, a successful businessman. Their daughter, Panjee Tapales ( a.k.a. singer Panjee Gonzales), was co-host of ABS-CBN's daily morning show, Alas Singko Y Media (now Umagang Kayganda) and its defunct Sunday morning game show with Roderick Paulate and Eric Quizon. Panjee soon became the second wife of ABS-CBN chairman, Gabby Lopez. (But that's another story.) Tweetums writes about art and culture in her column for the Philippine Star.
She has published a couple of books consisting of collections of her essays from her newspaper column. She remains a highly-respected media personality, being the president of a major advertising company.
Socorro Alicia R. Quirino is the granddaughter of former president Elpidio Quirino. More popularly known by her nickname, Cory, she hosts a lifestyle show on TV. Her kidnapping ordeal a few years ago was made into a movie entitled, The Cory Quirino Kidnap, which was directed by massacre king Carlo J. Caparas. Cory was married to Roman Cruz, Jr. who was the president of Philippine Airlines and head of Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). Cory writes a regular column on fitness and health for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. She also published a series of health, beauty and inspirational books. She remains a highly visible media personality with her radio and TV programs.
While Tweetums and Cory were both successful in their respective careers, their personal lives were not as rosy. Tweetums Gonzales and her husband, Ramon Tapales, eventually decided to lead separate lives. Likewise, Cory Quirino and her husband, Roman Cruz, Jr., soon parted ways.
Indeed, Tweetums and Cory seem to lead parallel lives.
Then, in a strange twist of fate, the unthinkable happened. . While geometry teaches us that parallel lines can never intersect, the parallel lives of Tweetums and Cory did intersect.
Tweetums Gonzales got married to Cory's former husband, Roman Cruz, Jr. Meanwhile, Cory Quirino got married to Tweetum's former husband, Ramon Tapales.
Just like in the movies.
And you know the rest of their story.
Barbara C. Gonzales is the great-granddaughter of national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Her great-grandmother is Dr. Jose Rizal's elder sister, Maria, a liberated woman who was separated from her husband Daniel. Barbara is more popularly known by her nickname, Tweetums. She once appeared in a Del Monte tomato sauce TV commercial featuring three generations of women in the kitchen. Yes, that was Tweetums with her daughter, Panjee, and Tweetum's mother whom they fondly called Mamu.
Tweetums was married to Ramon Tapales, a successful businessman. Their daughter, Panjee Tapales ( a.k.a. singer Panjee Gonzales), was co-host of ABS-CBN's daily morning show, Alas Singko Y Media (now Umagang Kayganda) and its defunct Sunday morning game show with Roderick Paulate and Eric Quizon. Panjee soon became the second wife of ABS-CBN chairman, Gabby Lopez. (But that's another story.) Tweetums writes about art and culture in her column for the Philippine Star.
She has published a couple of books consisting of collections of her essays from her newspaper column. She remains a highly-respected media personality, being the president of a major advertising company.
Socorro Alicia R. Quirino is the granddaughter of former president Elpidio Quirino. More popularly known by her nickname, Cory, she hosts a lifestyle show on TV. Her kidnapping ordeal a few years ago was made into a movie entitled, The Cory Quirino Kidnap, which was directed by massacre king Carlo J. Caparas. Cory was married to Roman Cruz, Jr. who was the president of Philippine Airlines and head of Government Service Insurance System (GSIS). Cory writes a regular column on fitness and health for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. She also published a series of health, beauty and inspirational books. She remains a highly visible media personality with her radio and TV programs.
While Tweetums and Cory were both successful in their respective careers, their personal lives were not as rosy. Tweetums Gonzales and her husband, Ramon Tapales, eventually decided to lead separate lives. Likewise, Cory Quirino and her husband, Roman Cruz, Jr., soon parted ways.
Indeed, Tweetums and Cory seem to lead parallel lives.
Then, in a strange twist of fate, the unthinkable happened. . While geometry teaches us that parallel lines can never intersect, the parallel lives of Tweetums and Cory did intersect.
Tweetums Gonzales got married to Cory's former husband, Roman Cruz, Jr. Meanwhile, Cory Quirino got married to Tweetum's former husband, Ramon Tapales.
Just like in the movies.
And you know the rest of their story.
Beyond Sibling Rivalry
If your siblings are married to huge celebrities and you've just lost your chance of marrying one, would you still strive to surpass their feat? But how could you beat being married to an award-winning actress whose mother is a beautiful actress and whose father is the original Agent X-44 of Philipine movies?
Or being the wife of Mr. Pure Energy?
Or being Mr. Megastar?
Now, aren't you glad that you're not among the Pangilinan siblings?
Former Penthouse Live co-host and newspaper columnist Anthony Pangilinan married Maricel Laxa, an excellent actress who is the lovechild of circa 60s actress Imelda Ilanan and action star Tony Ferrer. She is also the half-sister of 1990 Miss Asia runner-up Mutya Crisostomo Laxa.
Anthony's brother, Senator Francis Pangilinan, was a campus figure in UP Diliman. He was the chairman of the UP Student Council in 1986. He married no less than the megastar, Sharon Cuneta.
Their sister, Angeli Pangilinan, was a campus beauty and brain while she was a student at the UP School of Economics in Diliman. Angeli married Mr. Pure Energy himself, Gary Valenciano.
REWIND: In the early 80s, teenager Edgardo Jose Maria Santiago Valenciano or Gary V. to most of us, fell deeply in love with a teenage girl who eventually became his girlfriend. Gary's true love, they said. And they really looked perfect together. Their friends said that they were truly meant for each other. They were the picture of pure bliss. But not for long.
Few weeks before Gary's first major concert in 1984, a female singer became pregnant. And Gary was the alleged father. Gary did not deny it. At 19, Gary joined the growing list of unwed teenage fathers.
Gary's former girlfriend was shocked upon hearing about Gary's indiscretion. She felt betrayed by Gary and the female singer. Gary's former girlfriend was devastated.
The pregnant singer who bore Gary's child was a former Camay girl who joined the ultra exclusive league of several generations of Camay beauties from the first Camay girl Paquita Roces to her two daughters, Maritess Revilla (Ang lahat ay napapalingon, at muling napapalingon) and Rosie Revilla to actress Rosa Rosal's daughter Toni Rose Gayda (Kutis porcelana) to concert pianist Ingrid Sala Santamaria's daughter Crispy Santamaria to a few others. The female singer indeed looked devastatingly beautiful in her memorable Camay TV commercial. But there was a teeny weeny objection among his friends: She was too old for the teenage and vibrant Gary whose popularity was just beginning to zoom up.
Everybody knows that the female singer who became pregnant with Gary's child was Maria Anna Elizabeth Nepomuceno Pangilinan. In 1985, Gary exchanged vows with the female singer who is more popularly known by her nickname: Angeli. Angeli retired from her singing group, Music and Magic. Angeli sacrificed her flourishing singing career and left behind her fellow Music and Magic members led by jeepney driver's daughter-turned-nurse-turned-singer Kuh Ledesma, tenor singer-turned-Music and Magic co-founder-turned-musical director Jet Montelibano and singer-turned-comedian-turned TNT-turned- bogus political asylum seeker-turned-Michael Garfinkel endorser Fe de los Reyes.
Angeli decided to become a full-time wife to Gary, baby Paolo's Mom and Gary's talent manager.
Meanwhile, the pain of losing Gary has left Gary's former girlfriend in deep shock. Gary and his new bride tried to comfort her but Gary's former girlfriend was inconsolable.
PLAY: Gary Valenciano's most inspired and most popular composition was first heard as the theme song of a Vilma Santos movie before it became the title of an Aga Muhlach-Lea Salonga flick and later, the title of a Kim Chiu-Gerald Anderson TV soap opera. The haunting melody and melancholy lyrics of this beautiful song make one wonder where Gary drew the passion and longing for lost love which every line of this song clearly evokes.
Listen:
Sana maulit muli
Ang mga oras nating nakaraan
Bakit nagkaganito
Naglaho na ba ang pag-ibig mo?
Sana'y maulit muli
Sana bigyan pansin ang himig ko
Kahapon, bukas, ngayon
Tanging wala ng ibang mahal
Kung kaya kong iwanan ka
'Di na sana aasa pa
Kung kaya kong umiwas na
'Di na sana lalapit pa
Kung kaya ko sana
Ibalik ang kahapon
Sandaling 'di mapapantayan
Huwag sana nating itapon
Pagmamahal na tapat
Kung ako'y nagkamali minsan
'Di na ba mapagbibigyan
O giliw, dinggin mo ang nais ko, oooh...
Kung kaya kong iwanan ka
'Di na sana aasa pa
Kung kaya kong umiwas na
'Di na sana lalapit pa
Kung kaya ko sana
Ito ang tanging nais ko
Ang ating kahapon sana maulit muli
Kung kaya kong iwanan ka
'Di na sana aasa pa
Mahal pa rin kita
O giliw, o giliw ko, oooh...
This song was originally written by Gary in English. Ironically, the one who translated it to Tagalog was Gary's wife, Angeli.
FAST FORWARD: Now, Gary has three grown-up children with Angeli. On the other hand, Gary's former girlfriend is now known as Mrs. Buizon. She occasionally hosts a show on TV.
The pain has eased. Somehow. Even if the former lovers get to see each other regularly. They meet at her Mom's house during important occasions:
Christmas. New Year. Birthday of Mrs. Buizon's mother. Mrs. Buizon's birthday. Gary's birthday. Holidays. Easter Sunday. Every Sunday, in fact Gary's equally famous in-laws were witnesses to the former lovers' meetings. But they do not mind at all. Gary's wife, Angeli, does not make a fuss over it.
Even the family matriarch, retired public school teacher Mommy Emma, is not bothered by it.
But the truth is, they could not prevent the former lovers from seeing each other. Because Gary's former girlfriend has to join her mother, siblings and in-laws during important family occasions. And because Gary's former girlfriend was Felichi Buizon. And because before she got married, Gary's former girlfriend was known as Felichi Pangilinan. And yes, because Felichi Pangilinan-Buizon is the younger sister of Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano.
And none of us would probably ever know the rest of this intriguing triangle's story.
Or being the wife of Mr. Pure Energy?
Or being Mr. Megastar?
Now, aren't you glad that you're not among the Pangilinan siblings?
Former Penthouse Live co-host and newspaper columnist Anthony Pangilinan married Maricel Laxa, an excellent actress who is the lovechild of circa 60s actress Imelda Ilanan and action star Tony Ferrer. She is also the half-sister of 1990 Miss Asia runner-up Mutya Crisostomo Laxa.
Anthony's brother, Senator Francis Pangilinan, was a campus figure in UP Diliman. He was the chairman of the UP Student Council in 1986. He married no less than the megastar, Sharon Cuneta.
Their sister, Angeli Pangilinan, was a campus beauty and brain while she was a student at the UP School of Economics in Diliman. Angeli married Mr. Pure Energy himself, Gary Valenciano.
REWIND: In the early 80s, teenager Edgardo Jose Maria Santiago Valenciano or Gary V. to most of us, fell deeply in love with a teenage girl who eventually became his girlfriend. Gary's true love, they said. And they really looked perfect together. Their friends said that they were truly meant for each other. They were the picture of pure bliss. But not for long.
Few weeks before Gary's first major concert in 1984, a female singer became pregnant. And Gary was the alleged father. Gary did not deny it. At 19, Gary joined the growing list of unwed teenage fathers.
Gary's former girlfriend was shocked upon hearing about Gary's indiscretion. She felt betrayed by Gary and the female singer. Gary's former girlfriend was devastated.
The pregnant singer who bore Gary's child was a former Camay girl who joined the ultra exclusive league of several generations of Camay beauties from the first Camay girl Paquita Roces to her two daughters, Maritess Revilla (Ang lahat ay napapalingon, at muling napapalingon) and Rosie Revilla to actress Rosa Rosal's daughter Toni Rose Gayda (Kutis porcelana) to concert pianist Ingrid Sala Santamaria's daughter Crispy Santamaria to a few others. The female singer indeed looked devastatingly beautiful in her memorable Camay TV commercial. But there was a teeny weeny objection among his friends: She was too old for the teenage and vibrant Gary whose popularity was just beginning to zoom up.
Everybody knows that the female singer who became pregnant with Gary's child was Maria Anna Elizabeth Nepomuceno Pangilinan. In 1985, Gary exchanged vows with the female singer who is more popularly known by her nickname: Angeli. Angeli retired from her singing group, Music and Magic. Angeli sacrificed her flourishing singing career and left behind her fellow Music and Magic members led by jeepney driver's daughter-turned-nurse-turned-singer Kuh Ledesma, tenor singer-turned-Music and Magic co-founder-turned-musical director Jet Montelibano and singer-turned-comedian-turned TNT-turned- bogus political asylum seeker-turned-Michael Garfinkel endorser Fe de los Reyes.
Angeli decided to become a full-time wife to Gary, baby Paolo's Mom and Gary's talent manager.
Meanwhile, the pain of losing Gary has left Gary's former girlfriend in deep shock. Gary and his new bride tried to comfort her but Gary's former girlfriend was inconsolable.
PLAY: Gary Valenciano's most inspired and most popular composition was first heard as the theme song of a Vilma Santos movie before it became the title of an Aga Muhlach-Lea Salonga flick and later, the title of a Kim Chiu-Gerald Anderson TV soap opera. The haunting melody and melancholy lyrics of this beautiful song make one wonder where Gary drew the passion and longing for lost love which every line of this song clearly evokes.
Listen:
Sana maulit muli
Ang mga oras nating nakaraan
Bakit nagkaganito
Naglaho na ba ang pag-ibig mo?
Sana'y maulit muli
Sana bigyan pansin ang himig ko
Kahapon, bukas, ngayon
Tanging wala ng ibang mahal
Kung kaya kong iwanan ka
'Di na sana aasa pa
Kung kaya kong umiwas na
'Di na sana lalapit pa
Kung kaya ko sana
Ibalik ang kahapon
Sandaling 'di mapapantayan
Huwag sana nating itapon
Pagmamahal na tapat
Kung ako'y nagkamali minsan
'Di na ba mapagbibigyan
O giliw, dinggin mo ang nais ko, oooh...
Kung kaya kong iwanan ka
'Di na sana aasa pa
Kung kaya kong umiwas na
'Di na sana lalapit pa
Kung kaya ko sana
Ito ang tanging nais ko
Ang ating kahapon sana maulit muli
Kung kaya kong iwanan ka
'Di na sana aasa pa
Mahal pa rin kita
O giliw, o giliw ko, oooh...
This song was originally written by Gary in English. Ironically, the one who translated it to Tagalog was Gary's wife, Angeli.
FAST FORWARD: Now, Gary has three grown-up children with Angeli. On the other hand, Gary's former girlfriend is now known as Mrs. Buizon. She occasionally hosts a show on TV.
The pain has eased. Somehow. Even if the former lovers get to see each other regularly. They meet at her Mom's house during important occasions:
Christmas. New Year. Birthday of Mrs. Buizon's mother. Mrs. Buizon's birthday. Gary's birthday. Holidays. Easter Sunday. Every Sunday, in fact Gary's equally famous in-laws were witnesses to the former lovers' meetings. But they do not mind at all. Gary's wife, Angeli, does not make a fuss over it.
Even the family matriarch, retired public school teacher Mommy Emma, is not bothered by it.
But the truth is, they could not prevent the former lovers from seeing each other. Because Gary's former girlfriend has to join her mother, siblings and in-laws during important family occasions. And because Gary's former girlfriend was Felichi Buizon. And because before she got married, Gary's former girlfriend was known as Felichi Pangilinan. And yes, because Felichi Pangilinan-Buizon is the younger sister of Angeli Pangilinan-Valenciano.
And none of us would probably ever know the rest of this intriguing triangle's story.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)