How Eugene, Italian beau live in harmony despite different religions

Eugene Domingo (left) and her Italian beau, Danilo Bottoni

Enhanced community qua­rantine (ECQ) is no easy cue for celebs. A cue to stay home, instead of a cue for their next scene. Stars are used to being onstage. Now, it feels like they are in a cage.

For the sixth installment of my “”QuarantInterview” series, I am featuring my amiga (that’s how we call each other), Eugene Domingo. How I wish I could be under ECQ with “Uge” (her nickname), who is sunshine in human form. She can instantly chase anybody’s “COVID blues” away.

Uge is cocooned with her Italian beau, Danilo Bottoni. I teased amiga about being an “ulirang maybahay.” Her reply goes: “It’s Ramadan now, amiga. Danilo is Muslim, so during daytime, he is just sleeping and praying. By sunset, when he is awake, puwede nang kumain, dapat nakalinis na ako at ready na ang food. Nakaka-bless and it’s a pleasure serving and living with a prayerful man.”

But Uge is not converting to Muslim. “Danilo and I respect each other’s religion,” she points out. “Faith is important to us.”

That’s how cool this “FilipItalian” couple is redefining amore.

Here’s my chat with Uge:

What are some of your realizations during this pandemic?

After over a month of being on ECQ, I’ve learned to accept that this is not just happening in a movie. This is painfully real. This pandemic is really happening in our time, and nobody was prepared for it. Every day, when I wake up, I say thank you to God for the gift of life and health. I thank him for the opportunity to be productive at home, and to be kind and helpful to others.

What’s the most creative thing you’ve done during ECQ?

I am passionate about clea­ning and keeping my home neat. I do not keep things that I do not use, and I recycle old items. I rekindled my love for the practical arts. I cut old towels and turn them into new foot rugs.

If you could choose to be in quarantine with any celebrity, who would you pick?

Pope Francis. Every day during breakfast, I would ask him, “Has the Lord given us mercy yet? Has He forgiven us? What is Mama Mary’s message to us today?”

Please share any good vibes anecdote about your ECQ bonding with Danilo.

Any day, Danilo is a source of good vibes. He writes for an Italian film website. He is concerned about how people would go to the movie houses. So, he wrote some teasers that we shot in our home. He edited, put music and made three clips for his article. It was fun!

What’s the first thing you want to do when the lockdown is over?

Go to the beauty salon. One thing that I strongly believe in now is the importance of the salon! I clean, wash clothes, cook, run errands. I would even make a furniture if needed, but I don’t know how to cut and co­lor my hair.

What COVID-related story impacted you the most?

All the tragic stories we hear every day are heartbreaking. It makes me cry when I watch people helping people, no matter how hard their situation is.

What are the top five things on your grocery list during this crisis?

Fruits, vegetables, fish, rice and pasta. I wonder why some go panic-buying for tissue. Ako nga, ’yung “Babae sa Septic Tank,” chill lang ako sa tissue (laughs).

How do you stay calm amid the pandemic?

I keep myself busy around the house, I exercise, and talk to others about what I’m feeling. I have been praying the rosary again, and I promised myself to say it every day, even after this pandemic.

When the pandemic is over, what are some of the changes you would implement in the way you live?

If there are transactions I can do online, I will just stay home so I won’t add to the traffic and crowd. Save up on energy and start protecting the earth.

What’s your personal mantra in the time of corona?

Psalm 23 has always been my prayer and song, even before the pandemic. INQ