Vilma Santos
Vilma Santos has portrayed countless roles onscreen. But there are two roles that Ate Vi is raring to play in real life—a mother-in-law and a grandma.
Now that her son, Luis Manzano, is engaged to Jessy Mendiola, she can already start internalizing those roles. No doubt that the Star for all Seasons would also be award-worthy off-cam as a “biyenan and granny.” To paraphrase her line in the milk TV commercial, Ate Vi is not just once but will soon be thrice a winner “mother.”
Here’s my chat with Ate Vi:
What’s your marriage advice to Luis and Jessy?
There are no rules for a happy marriage, but never ever stop trying to keep each other happy, to be more understanding, generous, kind, and to respect each other. After respect, everything else follows.
They should know what shall work best for them. Dapat ang bawa’t isa ay receptive to adjustments and changes. These are constants in an ideal marriage. Walang time frame ito because of the fluidity of things. What works for one couple may not necessarily work for another. Ang pinakaimportante is that Luis and Jessy should always put God at the center of their lives.
What wedding gift do you plan to give them?
My love and best wishes (laughs). Secret!
Why do you think Luis decided that Jessy is “The One”?
I cannot speak for Luis, but as for me, nakita ko kung gaano siya kamahal ni Jessy. Walang competition between the two of them. They respect each other through and through. Naramdaman ko rin ang respeto na ibinigay ni Jessy sa akin, kay Ralph at sa aking buong pamilya.
Hindi naging perpekto ang relasyon nila. May mga gusot din sila na dinaanan, but they managed to iron things out—and look where they’re headed now!
Aside from being very prayerful, malapit din sa kanyang pamilya si Jessy, just like how closely knit my family is. Na-appreciate ko ang mga traits na ito ni Jessy, and I am sure Luis feels the same way, too.
What’s your message to your future daughter-in-law?
Jessy, thank you for loving my son, for making him happy and taking care of him. I sincerely look forward to your officially being a part of our family. Excited ang lahat sa development na ito sa life n’yo ni Luis.
What kind of mother-in-law would you be?
The best one! Seriously, I will definitely not be a meddlesome mother-in-law. What I can assure Jessy is that I will just be a call or text away, and will always be ready, willing and able to extend a helping hand should she need any advice or assistance.
But one thing’s sure though, I will be the most excited mother-in-law who will probably be nagging her and Luis for grandkids. Yes! Mas marami, mas mabuti!
From left Janno Gibbs, Dennis Padilla, Jerald Napoles and Andrew E
‘Pakboys’ reintroduces ‘90s comedy style in MMFF entry
The trio loco tandem of Andrew E, Janno Gibbs and Dennis Padilla strikes again in Viva Films’ Metro Manila Film Festival entry, “Pakboys Takusa.” And to make things even more hilarious, they are joined by Jerald Napoles. So it’s the trio’s ‘90’s-comedy style merged with Jerald’s millennial kind of humor.
Their movie’s trailer has already reached more than 20 million views across all social media platforms. It’s about the adventures and misadventures of philandering husbands.
Worldwide streaming starts on Dec. 25 on Upstream.ph for only P250. Let the Pakboys make your Christmas laughter-packed even when you are masked.
Here’s my chat with Jerald (JN), Janno (J), Dennis (D) and Andrew (A):
How would you handle it if your girlfriend/wife strays?
JN: That’s unthinkable. Ganoon kataas ang confidence level ko na ‘di ako kayang pagtaksilan ni Kim (Molina, his girlfriend). So kunwari lang, if she does, we will have a heart-to-heart talk. I will ask her why she strayed and saan ako nagkulang? J: “Eh ‘di quits na tayo, Bing (Loyzaga, his ex-wife) (laughs).”
What’s your message to some members of the LGBT community who felt slighted by the comfort room scene of a trans woman?
J: Our movie has no intention to disparage the LGBT at all. They must have taken it out of context. They should watch the whole movie to get the drift of that scene. It is not a politically correct movie. We just want to make people laugh their pandemic blues away. There are no serious life lessons to be learned. But wives can get some tips on how to catch their cheating husbands.
D: I respect the LGBT 100 percent. Ako pa ba? I have a lesbian daughter who’s married to another lesbian in California.
How do you feel that you got a second wind in your career?
A: At first, Janno, Dennis and I were doubtful if we could still pull it off. But Boss Vic believes in us, so that made us believe in ourselves even more. We are happy that our movie clicked last year, so this is a follow-up. But this time around, we have Jerald with us to add the millennial kind of humor in the mix.
Are you a “takusa” (takot sa asawa)?
A: Nope. I’m a “Sansui.” ‘Sang sutsut … uwi!”