Danilo Bottoni and Eugene Domingo
Not too long ago, my amiga Eugene Domingo and I were chatting about love and men. We both agreed that it’s better to stay single than to settle. But Cupid had better plans for Uge. She crossed paths with a 56-year-old Italian, Danilo Bottoni, at the Far East Film Festival in Udine, Italy where her movie, “Barber’s Tales,” was featured. Uge’s inamorato works for a software company and writes movie reviews for linkinmovies.
The “Superwoman” in Uge becomes weak at the knees when she’s with Danilo. They have such a soothing effect on each other. Love could not have found a more deserving couple. Ahh! La Dolce Vita (sweet life).
For our Valentine exclusive, Uge and Danilo share their love story. I wish Team “EuLo” more and more amor.
Here’s my chat with Uge :
What made you fall for Danilo? For our third encounter during the festival, he finally had the chance to interview me. He asked the usual questions, until he asked me, “So tell me something about yourself. Are you in love right now?” I was caught off guard! That prompted me to respond defensively… unreasonably, too. I told him, “Are you writing for a tabloid?” Anyway, he changed his question to “What do you love to do?” Then I started talking about myself—what I like, what makes me happy—I began talking spontaneously and was actually happy talking to him. And then I began looking deep into his beautiful, smiling eyes. There was comfort in the strangeness. He was my festival crush and up to now, I am still falling for him every day.
What was the craziest thing that you and Danilo have done as a couple? We spent Christmas together in Orvieto. I brought with me a reindeer costume and to my surprise he brought his Santa costume and on Christmas morning we wore it for breakfast and some guests in the hotel asked for a picture with us! That was so fun!
In what ways are Italian men different from Filipinos? We always have a good laugh when I tell him the reaction of people when I say Danilo is Italian. I always get the “Wow, jackpot” reaction! And in my mind, I want to say, “Wait! He hit the jackpot, too! (laughs)” Anyway, I think there’s not much difference because when you fall, you fall! In fact, I have a tendency to forget that he is Italian. I just know that he’s the man I want to spend my life with. I will always thank God for this blessing.
Would you be willing to uproot yourself and settle in Italy with Danilo someday? Yes, but an entertainer never retires so I’m sure I’d still accept projects I like for my audience. God willing.
What does he think about your work as an actress? He has watched my films that were shown in the Far East Film Festival in Udine. His favorite is “Kimmy Dora.” He showed me what he had written in his status after he watched the movie. It made me feel giddy.
What makes you both click? We like to express our love in many ways, whenever possible.
How has Danilo redefined love for you? He said he sees so much love in me and I thought I had lost it and I will never have it again in me. His love made me realize that the reason for living is to love.
If your love story with Danilo would be made into a movie, what would the title be? I did this film where my character (a crew member of a cruise ship, who visited Italy for the first time) married an Italian. The movie was—“I. T. A. L. Y. (l Trust And Love You ).” It’s so Danilo and me!
Here’s my chat with Danilo:
How has Uge changed your world? In many ways, especially after she fixed up all the stuff inside my drawers. Now, everything is in perfect order. Everything has changed: my life, the way I think, many things I believed about life and love, like I thought I could never fall in love with someone who doesn’t speak my language. And this “new world” is much, much better, of course.
How do you and Uge handle misunderstandings? Well, I know some karate (laughs). Someone said, “Misunderstanding is the basis of a good romantic relationship.” (That someone was me before I met Eugene). Despite my bad English, no one has ever made me feel so understood as Uge. We have the same sense of humor, the same strong faith in God, the same love for life. Moreover, we also complement each other.
What’s your song for Uge? “Can’t Get Enough of Your Love, Babe,” by Barry White.
Is Uge wife material? Absolutely! She cooks well. She loves cleaning and fixing. She is a good driver. She is thoughtful, funny, tender and passionate. She loves to play and she is very creative. Uge is a dream for every man. I am being objective.
How do you find Uge as an actress? I am her No. 1 fan.
How do you and Uge avoid having a “culture clash”? Easy. we put adobo over the pizza.
What’s the sweetest thing Uge has done for you? More than flying for 14 hours, just to spend a few days with me, it was when we spent a lot of time chatting on Skype as friends. One night, our conversation ended with a silent, deep feeling of intimacy. In the morning, I received a video clip: Eugene, dressed in a nightgown, played the ukelele and sang “Make You Feel My Love” by Bob Dylan. She looked at the camera with a serious and warm gaze. The message was clear and moving. She had never been so explicit before. She was so sweet and vulnerable… I was overwhelmed with emotion and, for the first time, I said to myself: I think I’m falling in love with this girl.
Where do you see yourself and Uge 10 years from now? Everywhere in the world—living together, happy and always and forever in love.