More gems from stars’ dads:
AIKO MELENDEZ: I am the female version of my Dad; carbon copy niya ako. I got my passion for acting from him. He paved the way to show biz for me, which somehow gave me an edge since I was carrying his name at the height of his popularity in the 1980s.
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GARY VALENCIANO: “Every time I look at my Dad, one thing consistently stands out: his humility. This, above all, is the value that I look upon as a good lesson to relearn time and time again.”
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CESAR MONTANO: “My father told me why he gave me just the exact amount of money for my baon in school. He said, ‘The easiest way to make life difficult for your children is to make it easy for them.’ I used to hate that. My Dad was a lawyer. When he passed on, he left no material things for me but I’ve realized that his words have helped me in everything I did. I still draw from Tatay Evo’s wisdom as I raise my own kids.”
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LANI MERCADO: “They say I’m like my Dad ‘cause I communicate well and I can implement plans. I’m particularly proud that he retired from the Armed Forces during my formative years so he could take care of me and Mom. He was my mentor, best friend and tutor. I miss him very much; he passed away in 1998.
Forgiving actress
Cherry Pie Picache is more than willing to forgive Baron Geisler, against whom she earlier filed a formal complaint for groping her on the set. “I’m glad he’s in rehab,” she says. “I’m also happy to hear that he wants to apologize to me.” Is she also willing to work with Baron again? “He’s a good actor,” she says. “As long as he behaves next time, we shouldn’t have a problem.”
Speaking of work, the Urian Actress of the Decade is proud of her latest indie film, “Isda,” inspired by a feature years ago in my mom’s program, “Eye to Eye,” about a woman who gave birth to a mudfish. What about Pie’s own motherhood stories? “My son Neyo is starting to ask about the birds and the bees,” she reveals.
“I don’t sugarcoat my answers because I want him to grow up as a realist. I am a disciplinarian but I don’t spank my kid because I believe that the hands used for caressing should not be used for spanking.”
How is her relationship with her ex (Neyo’s dad)? “He’s no absentee father,” Pie explains. “We have an unusual setup because we still see each other daily, which is good for our son’s well-being.” Doesn’t she yearn for a lifetime partner to share her achievements with? “God has blessed me with so much,” she says, beaming.
“I dare not ask for more. But if Mr. Right comes along, I’m willing to turn my back on show biz, if necessary.”
Even with a missing piece in her Pie, life will always be a bowl of Cherries for the actress because of her joie de vivre which she spreads so generously.
Goma’s tweet
Richard Gomez’s tweet cracked me up: “Neighbor na namin si Manny Pacquiao. Gusto ko makita mag- ballroom dancing si Mommy Dionisia.
Pacman’s got the moves in the boxing ring while Mommy D has the grooves on the dance floor. Goma’s fab wifey Lucy might teach Mommy D more dance steps.
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