Ara Mina on Cristine Reyes: Forgive and forget

Ara Mina (right) and Cristine Reyes in “Ate”

Ara Mina is such a “SuperwoMom.” Aside from shooting movies and TV shows and doing her single motherhood duties to Baby Mandy, she also runs her Hazelberry Bakeshop and Café (at the Vibe Gastro Hub, Mindanao Ave., Quezon City). Ara specializes in sweets—in and out of her resto. Sweetness is in everything she does.

Here’s my chat with Ara:

What are your resto’s specialties? CQB’s Crispy Kare-Kare, Truffle Ara Pasta and Mandy’s Fried Chicken.

Do you bake the pastries yourself? Yes. I have an assistant, but she just prepares the ingredients.

After all the drama that you and Cristine Reyes have been through as sisters, how is your relationship now? Forgiveness is key to a harmonious relationship. The messy quarrel we had years ago was part of our growing-up years. Since we’re both mothers now, we’ve mellowed down and are more mature—and we’re closer than ever. All our crazy issues against each other have been forgiven and forgotten.

How’s your relationship with your ex, Patrick (Meneses)? We’re friends. He’s a great father to Mandy.

Will you allow Mandy to join show biz? It’s fine with me, but not while she’s still in school. But of course I have to consult Patrick about it, too.

When Mandy is old enough, what advice would you give her about love? Love always involves sacrifice. I will share what I learned from my relationships, but I won’t impose. I will guide her, but I’ll let her experience love her own way.

What kind of guy would make you fall in love again? Somebody who’s willing to stand up for me, who will be proud of me, and accept me and my daughter. Being handsome is secondary, but looks also matter, because it always starts with physical attraction. I also look for that all-important “spark.”

‘Spiritual’ Cesar

Amid the crazy Tourism Promotion Board controversy, Chief Operations Officer Cesar Montano is back in business. He recently attended the Travel Blog Exchange International 2017 in Jerusalem.

Not too many people know how spiritual BFF Buboy (Cesar’s nickname) is. He sends Bible quotes to our Viber group, CesDolNoVin (Cesar, Dolly, Noel Cabangon, Alvin Anson), and would sometimes sing praise songs from out of the blue.

So visiting the Holy Land is one experience that Buboy will truly cherish. Let his Instagram (@cesar_montano) posts about the trip say the rest. Knowing Buboy, he does not hold grudges against his detractors. He just lifts up his troubles to God—and sings his blues away.