Miriam Quiambao-Roberto (second from left), husband Ardy (right) and their kids
After what seemed like 20 years due to the pandemic lull, I was finally able to fly to Boracay again. The highlight of my trip was bonding with my “sis,” Miriam Quiambao-Roberto and her hubby Ardy.
My “Bora angel,” Dindo Salazar hosted a sumptuous dinner buffet for us at Seabreeze. It was a belated birthday treat for Miriam who turned 47 recently. It’s been three months since the Robertos relocated to Boradise with their kids, Joshua, Elijah and Ziki.
Seeing how blissfully happy Miriam and Ardy are living la vida isla makes me want to move to Bora, too. Listening to the wonderful couple talk about God’s miracles in their life worked wonders for my soul. Living a simple life in Bora has made Miriam realize that material things are immaterial. The beauty queen is now a certified Reyna dela Isla.
Here’s my chat with Miriam:
What’s your biggest realization after relocating to Boracay?
I realized we could live with a lot less possessions than we used to. Before moving here, knowing that the three-bedroom villa we are renting will be a lot smaller than our house in Manila, I decided to sell 90 percent of my clothes, shoes and bags.
I have no use for all those items, and no place to keep them here. If I just keep them in storage in Manila, masisira lang. So, binenta ko na. On the island, I have to share a closet space with Ardy and I realized that it’s enough. Less is more.
How are marriage and motherhood on the island compared to when you were in Manila?
Marriage is more fun because we get to go out more on the island compared to Manila, where we were constantly on lockdown. Here, we often go out on sporty group dates with our biker friends. Weekly, we go on sunset/dinner dates and take long romantic walks by the beach for our commute back home. The island is very conducive to our marriage!
In terms of motherhood, I love that I get to spend time with my kids here. The island has given us time to be with the kids and enjoy the sun, sea and sand. We’re all healthier and happier.
What’s your advice to couples who want to relocate to Bora, but are wary of doing so?
Picking up and leaving off to settle on an island isn’t for everyone, but if your work arrangements and family relationships can allow it, give it a shot.
I know of some people who come to the island to test the waters for a few days to a week, working remotely from their computers, extend for a month, and are now on the island for more than a year! Pray about it, and do your research. For us, it was a leap of faith, and we never looked back.
What’s your advice to our new Miss Universe candidate (Celeste Cortesi)?
I’d tell her to think about a compelling purpose to bless others that will drive her to succeed in this chosen endeavor. I have no doubt that, with God’s guidance, this new platform and influence can be used mightily to be a blessing for many. I wish her the best and may she bring home the crown.
From left: Adrianna So, Chad Kinis and Kych Minemoto
One love fits all in ‘Pa-Thirsty’
As one of my fave quotes goes, “If you follow all the rules, you miss out on all the fun.” Such is the mantra of the wacky LGBT characters in “Pa-Thirsty” (streaming on Vivamax on June 29). The sex-comedy directed by Ivan Payawal is topbilled by Adrianna So, Kych Minemoto, Alex Diaz, Bob Jbeili, Kate Alejandrino and Chad Kinis.
Let them quench the thirst of your wildest desires and satisfy the cravings of your naughtiest thoughts. “Pa-Thirsty” is out to show us that “one love fits all.”
Here are quotes from Adrianna (AS), Alex (AD), Kych (K), Chad (C), Kate (KA) and Ivan (I):
K: I don’t mind if people think I am gay. I am secured about my sexuality. I am tired of answering questions if I’m gay or not because people will believe what they want to believe anyway.
AD: We have very spicy love scenes and honest chemistry. Our movie is a beacon of representation for the LGBT community. It’s not a sexy movie spiced up with comedy just for the heck of it. All the elements are balanced.
KA: What makes our film sexy is the confidence in the way we carried ourselves as our characters and how we embraced each other’s flaws.
I: The cast gave more than what I required of them. And their bond off-camera is tight.
K: I see nothing wrong with going all out on a first date as long as you’re both consenting adults. If it doesn’t work out, at least you had fun.
AD: I invested in my love scenes with Kych and with Adrianna for them to work. It’s like jumping off a cliff together.
AS: Alex asked me what my boundaries were before shooting our love scenes. Direk Ivan made sure the angles were within our comfort zones.
C: Kung baga sa chicken, the cast is like a big bucket of extraspicy chicken.
K: Unlike in our film, I am not into dating someone a friend would set me up with. I prefer it to be organic. Just a random encounter where there’s a spark.
Personal: Thanks from the bottom of my heart to my super kind “migo,” Boy So and “miga” Love Apelado for a heavenly stay at my fave refuge, La Carmela de Boracay. Damo guid nga salamat to my “adoptive fam” on the isla, Dindo and Kathe Salazar, for making me feel so welcome in all the Henann Resorts in Boradise.