POKWANG says there are many reasons to be happy.
This year’s Christmas will be extra-special for comedienne Pokwang.
“For the first time in 17 years, ’di na malamig ang Pasko ko [it’ll no longer be a cold Christmas for me],” she shared with reporters during the recent media gathering for her latest film, “All We Need is Pag-ibig,” which opens on Christmas Day.
Her boyfriend, American actor Lee O’Brien, will celebrate the holidays in the Philippines for the first time this year. “It’s like every day is summer,” quipped Pokwang, adding that Lee is excited to experience simbang gabi with her, and eat Filipino holiday delicacies like bibingka and puto-bumbong.
“I will cook my special dishes during the holidays, but I’ll also serve Lee those that he is used to eating, like turkey. I also need to adjust to his needs. I’m used to cooking just ordinary chicken,” she added. “I told him about kids who visit houses to sing Christmas carols.”
Pokwang denied talks that she and Lee were already engaged. “Why would I keep that a secret? It isn’t true. He hasn’t proposed yet—we’ll get to that eventually.”
The comedienne said they were in that stage of their relationship when they’re “simply enjoying each other’s company. We’re taking it slow. Getting married is a serious thing. It’s also very expensive. We both want to make sure we’re ready before taking the plunge.”
Supportive daughter
Pokwang said her daughter Mae supports her decision to be with Lee, and that they get along very well. “She’s already 19, so she understands my situation. She just wanted an assurance from Lee that he wouldn’t hurt me, because I’m all she has—and she’s my one and only treasure!”
Pokwang said she fell in love with Lee because “I found in him the loyalty and sincerity I’m looking for in a man. I appreciate the effort he exerts to show me that he cares for me. I can imagine the adjustments he had to make when he left his country to be with me.”
This holiday season, Pokwang said, will be all about “being happy and thankful—regardless of what we’re going through! If we’re feeling low, let’s just think of fellow Filipinos affected by the recent calamities. Some of them will spend the holidays without their loved ones.”
“Despite that, there are still many reasons to be happy. Let’s be thankful that we still get to wake up each morning and be with our family,” said Pokwang.
“All We Need is Pag-ibig,” a Metro Manila festival entry directed by Antoinette Jadaone.
( mcruz@inquirer.com.ph)