‘Ander de Saya’ Buboy says he wants another son

CESAR Montano: “It’s good to spoil the wife.”

“I’m ander de saya to a certain extent,” Cesar, “Buboy” to friends and married to Sunshine Cruz for 10 years now, told a media gathering recently. “While we were living abroad, there were times when I did the laundry, including ironing all our clothes. Shine didn’t grow up doing household chores. I’d feel really guilty if she burned her hands with the hot iron.”

Cesar believes it’s good to spoil the wife—in many ways. “I always remind her how much I love her. I give in to most of her requests as long as they’re reasonable. This helps improve our relationship.”

The award-winning actor (“Jose Rizal,” “Panaghoy sa Suba”) added, “Andres is similar to John Puruntong (of ‘John en Marsha’ in the 1980s). He’s a kind-hearted, patient, helpful and principled man.”

In the new sitcom, Cesar plays Andres Taguyod, who works as a bouncer in a bar. He does not aspire to be rich; his ultimate dream is to marry a woman he really loves. He knows he has found the one when he meets Matilde Golpe de Oro (Iza Calzado), holder of many beauty titles who comes from a well-off family. Matilde’s grandmother (Gloria Romero) forces her into marriage with Andres after the old woman caught her drunk one night, on his bed.

Aside from “Andres de Saya,” Cesar is busy working on an action movie with actress Sam Pinto, to be produced by Viva Entertainment and his own CM Films. He is also writing the script for a historical film, whose working title is “Getting to America.”

Another confession that Cesar made during the gathering was that he and Sunshine are seriously working on having a son. They have three daughters—Samantha, Angeline and Francheska. The actor had a son, Christian Angelo, with his late first wife, Marilyn Polinga. Angelo passed away last year at age 25. Cesar has another son, 15-year-old Diego, with former actress Teresa Loyzaga.

Do you also spoil your kids as much as you spoil Sunshine?

As a father, I’m a disciplinarian. My girls are unbelievably makulit. I reprimand them when I should, but not to the extent that na napipilayan ko sila o nasusugatan. On the other hand, we have a lot of bonding time—we watch movies, paint or sing together. They all sing quite well. One of them plays the piano, another is just learning to play the guitar. I think my youngest, Francheska, plans to follow in the footsteps of her actor dad. She’s so charming.

We haven’t seen Sunshine lately. Has she retired from show biz?

She has her hands full taking care of the kids. She did tell me that she’d consider doing a TV show only if it wouldn’t demand too much of her time. She also said she would like to appear on “Andres de Saya.”

We heard you personally picked Iza to play Matilde. Is this true?

Yes. I’ve long wanted to work with her, but she’s always busy. I’m hopeful that while working on this show, we can also talk about a plan of mine to make a movie with her. Iza is a very good dramatic actress. It would be great to make a serious film with her.

Will Iwa Moto, who was recently hospitalized, still be in the cast of “Andres”? What advice did you give her, if any, about her problem with ex-boyfriend Mickey Ablan?

I’m not sure if management will still make changes in the cast. That’s their call. As coactors, we’re here for Iwa and we really hope to see more of her on the show. I haven’t had the chance to discuss things with her. And when I do, I’d rather talk to her privately than publicize whatever I have to say. It’s much better that way.

You draw, sing, compose, as well as act, write and direct films. Do you consider yourself lucky?

I could say I’m really blessed. That is why I always have this compulsion to use my abilities to help people, especially those of the younger generation. My goal is to make more films that inspire people.

“Andres de Saya” is based on a komiks novel by Carlo J. Caparas. In 1980, it was adapted to film with Vic Vargas in the title role and Gloria Diaz as his wife. The Kapuso series also features Caridad Sanchez, Julie Ann San Jose, Elmo Magalona, Chariz Solomon, Fabio Ide, Pekto Nacua and Jillian Ward.

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