Maria Isabel and Mara’s season of believing

Maria Isabel (left) and Mara Lopez

After the recent controversy surrounding her “moving violation” on Edsa, beauty queen-actress Maria Isabel Lopez is looking forward to a Yuletide season brimming with love and goodwill. Weeks before the big day, Maria Isabel has already drafted a long list of presents for her nearest and dearest.

For her beloved, she’ll give “round-trip tickets to a great destination; for it’s not about the tour, but about building memories.” For celebrity-friends, Maria Isabel, who’s also a prolific painter, will send a “piece of my art—which lasts forever.”

For daughter Mara Lopez, she will give “something a vegan will use and approve of.” “Mara has achieved a lot and, for the coming year, my wish is that she would get to travel the world through her films.” For son Ken, Maria Isabel is hoping that he will become “a successful engineer someday.”

“Every Christmas has been memorable for my children, from the time they longed to meet Santa Claus to the year they fooled me into believing that they still ‘believed’ in him,” Maria Isabel quips.

Mara, for her part, says she’ll make sure “to give loved ones something personal … things that I know they need and will use often.”

For her mom, Mara has a specific treat in mind. “I will be in Amsterdam before the holidays, so I’ll get her some Stroopwafel—her favorite snack!”

As for her own heart’s desire? “I would like to receive true love and also a new surfboard!” She backtracks a bit: “Anything I can use for surfing … leash, wetsuits, surf wax … would be great.”

She has simple wishes for the coming new year. “I am praying that I get to work on several meaningful projects—whether in film or on television. I would also like to be more active in my advocacies that focus on the environment.”

Her most memorable Christmas was quite recent, Mara recalls. “That was two years ago. Our family was complete. It’s always nice when everyone is present!” —BAYANI SAN DIEGO JR.