Cesar Montano’s girlfriend Kath Angeles on their kids meeting Sunshine Cruz

Sunshine Cruz with (foreground) Cesar Montano and Kath Angeles’ kids Liam, Kristen and Sam

There comes a time in every estranged couple’s life when the pain is gone and all that’s left is the beauty of their shared memories. Just like the case of BFF Buboy (Cesar Montano) and Sunshine Cruz. I remember when they were still together, Shine used to say in jest, “‘Di ako papalitan ni Buboy, magdadagdag lang siya.”

Since I am privy to my BFF’s colorful past, I can’t be any happier now that all is well in his family life. After reconciling with his son Diego, BFF’s girlfriend Kath and his ex-wife Shine finally met.

All of Cesar’s nine children were complete during his 60th birthday bash last August. The next development was Shine meeting the kids of Buboy and Kath, Sam, Liam and Kristen. The blended modern family then went on a trip to Anilao last Sept. 24.

“Chill and cool ang vibe when my kids met their Tita Shine,” says Kath. “Nakakatuwa na that Shine enjoys being with my kids, even if they’re super kulit.” She even wants to borrow them to stay in her house with the Tres Marias (Shine and Buboy’s kids).

At long last, they finally met Shine because every time the three kiddos would see their Ates Buching, Sam and Cheska, they’d ask, “Where’s your mom and what’s her name?”

Kath and Shine now follow each other on Instagram. “During Buching’s 21st birthday, Shine and I had a nice talk, and we all had fun in Anilao,” shares Kath. “I hope we can have girl bonding over coffee soon.”

Then, I teased Kath, “Will Shine and you compare notes about BFF?” We both had a good laugh.

Even if Buboy and Shine’s marriage ended, it doesn’t mean that it failed because they’ve both become better persons after their journey together. May the wonderful story of Buboy, Shine, Kath and their kids inspire estranged couples to let go of the past, embrace the present in order to welcome a peaceful future. Indeed it’s love and not time that heals all wounds.

Clockwise: Andrea del Rosario, Kych Minemoto and Gold Aceron

‘May-December-January’s’ bizarre love triangle

Since my gay son IC and I look alike, I always say in jest that he’s my pirated version. Then, he would shoot back, “But Ma, mas mabenta ang pirated than original.”

That private joke of ours is so applicable to the Viva movie, “May-December-January” (showing in cinemas on Oct. 12). It’s about a mom and her gay son who are caught up in a bizarre love triangle.

Directed by Mac Alejandre with a screenplay by National Artist Ricky Lee, the film stars Andrea del Rosario, Gold Aceron and Kych Minemoto. Watch what happens when a man loves a woman and her son as well. Let this “Trio Loco” show you how one kind of love gives way to another.

Here are quotes from Andrea (A), Mac (M), Gold (G) and Kych (K):

M: This project is special to me because it’s about the awakening of a gay boy. The honesty of the characters makes me passionate about the material. The love scenes are not graphic. Our film is focused more on the relationship than the intimacy.

A: I felt like a virgin all over again while doing my love scenes with Kych because it’s been a while since I did sexy movies. After 30 years in the biz, I finally landed a role that makes me feel like Kate Winslet when she did “The Reader.”

K: It’s surreal to be paired with Andrea because I grew up watching her films. But I used it as a motivation in portraying my character.

G: Kych and I did not discuss what we would do in our love scene. We just let it flow. Kung anong trip, laban lang.

M: This is the first project of Ricky after he was named National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts. Since Ricky and I have been friends for so long, we are able to resolve whatever creative differences we had easily.

A: I live by the saying that love prevails. So even if a love triangle is messy, the true one will stay.

K: It’s hard to give advice to those stuck in a love triangle. It’s easy to say that they should leave, but since we are not in their situation, we can’t feel what they feel.

G: Our movie will show the different ways of loving. It will teach you how to be happy for someone you love, even if he or she loves someone else.

M: The joy of love is worth the pain it brings. Sacrifice is a given in love. But when you love, you don’t really think of it as a sacrifice. You just do what your heart asks you to.

A: Just like the character I portray in our movie, I am dating a younger guy now. It’s no big deal. Age is just a state of mind.

Janelle Tee

A woman’s double life

When a woman is in dire straits, it can make her stop walking a straight line. That’s exactly what happens in the erotic drama web series, “AN/NA” (streaming on Vivamax).

Directed by Jose Javier Reyes, its lead stars are Janelle Tee, Guji Lorenzana, Greg Hawkins, Migs Almendras and Rob Guinto. Janelle portrays Anna, who lives a double life. She’s “Maria Clara” by day, femme fatale (à la Maria Ozawa) by night. How long can she keep her deep, dark secret? Let Anna take you to the other side of midnight.

Here are quotes from Janelle (JT) and Direk Joey (DJ):

DJ: I have always been intrigued by people who lead a double life. Each of us has a dark side, no matter how prim and proper we seem to be. I love exploring the dark side of people. I immerse myself in the stories of people I meet so I won’t become stale.

JT: I can totally relate with my character Anna because I’m also a breadwinner and we both speak Bisaya. Anna will remind us that we must not let money control us. We should just use it as a tool.

DJ: I like working with newbies like Janelle and others in the cast. They have no preconceived notions and bad habits yet. I love their naïveté and innocence, which rubs off on me. I share the wisdom of my years with them. Show biz folk tend to be judgmental of new stars. But once you listen to their stories, you will understand why they are here. I tell them this is just a stepping stone to a bigger plan.

JT: My willingness to submit myself to the process of being a sexy star will take me to where I want to go. I refuse to stop learning, so I will be ripe to venture into other genres.

DJ: I don’t intend to moralize through our movie. Hopefully, it will make people ponder on the very Filipino issue of utang na loob. Does it have to reach a point where the anak has to sell his or her soul just to provide for the parents?

JT: Since Direk Joey is a fast worker, I have to switch from one persona to another in a jiffy. Sa bilis ng transformation ng character ko, it made me wonder if I did it effectively.

DJ: I am not mean to ham actors. It’s not their fault that acting is not in their DNA. You can’t squeeze blood out of stone.