Tom Rodriguez talks about love and fame

WHO CAN forget the Vince (Tom Rodriguez) and Lally (Carla Abellana) tandem in GMA 7’s hit series, “My Husband’s Lover”? Since Tom portrayed a gay man in the show, their love story got thwarted. But this time around in their movie, “No Boyfriend Since Birth” (which opens today), the fab couple get to experience love in full bloom.

Would you fall for a girl who has had no boyfriend or an experienced woman?

Honestly, the connection between two people is more important to me than the number of previous partners.

What’s the sweetest thing that Carla has done for you?

She surprised me with a birthday dinner attended by people close to my heart.

What has fame taught you?

Fame should never be the end goal.

If you were Alden Richards, how would you handle fame?

I think Alden is handling every blessing coming his way in the best way possible … so I wouldn’t do anything differently.

What turns you off?

People who judge, bully and belittle other people.

What’s the wildest adventure that you’ve had?

Venturing to the Philippines by myself, away from the comfort and security blanket that is my family, stumbling into this industry that I have fallen in love with…

What are your thoughts on fidelity and jealousy?

Fidelity in a relationship is very important … but there are many factors that go into a relationship … I think communication, trust, respect, understanding and the maturity to handle problems between two people are key, besides the obvious (fidelity).

What love advice have you heeded?

The best love advice that I follow is the onion layer approach. At the core, the center of the onion are the two people in the relationship. Any and all problems (big or small) should be attempted to be resolved within this layer exclusively … you only move to subsequent layers when the core is insufficient … those other layers could be family, friends, professional help, etc.

Mama Nena

This is a tough piece for me to write because Amalia Fuentes (Mama Nena) and the rest of the Muhlachs are family to me. Mama Nena is my second mom. She fondly calls me anak (child). When I heard about her stroke in South Korea, I felt bad because she was asking me to accompany her abroad. I should have been beside her when she was rushed to the hospital. Her brother Cheng, with his son Albert, went to Korea to fly her home on Oct. 27.

Tito Cheng and his son Aga made all the arrangements. Out of respect for the family’s request to keep it confidential, I did not write anything about it. But since her grandchildren released an official statement already, I called up Tito Cheng for an update. Here’s his story:

AMALIA Fuentes at her 75th birthday party on Aug. 27

“Nena’s friend who was with her in Korea called me up. She said that Nena was looking for me in the hospital. I told her to put the phone on Nena’s ear so I can hear her voice. When I said my name, I heard her mumbling. So I immediately decided to fly to Korea. I used my Spanish passport so [there would be] no need to wait for a visa.

“Aga asked help to coordinate with the Philippine embassy in Korea. Before she flew to Korea, she told me to secure her house and cars. So I got the keys of all her cars and checked on her house from time to time. The doctors said that God willing, she could fully recover. She is still confined in the hospital.”

I’m glad I was able to bond with Mama Nena at her intimate 75th birthday dinner last Aug. 27 in Sambo Kojin. From her family, it was only Tito Cheng who was there and a few close friends. She kept reminiscing about Liezl that night. Mama Nena often pours her heart out to me when we have our regular parlor bonding time at our fave Oskee Cabeltis Salon. That’s why my heart bleeds for Mama Nena because I know how much emotional pain she has to endure.

Mama Nena is a born fighter. Her rags-to-riches story says it all. So I know that she will survive and prevail. As I think of Mama Nena now, I can still hear her voice cheering me on. Thank you, Mama Nena, for believing in me and for loving me like your own.

Personal

Congrats to my newfound friend, Josh Mangila, who has been tapped to be the editor in chief of a luxury travel magazine, Xpedition Middle East, which caters to the affluent in the region.