Cesar on the newfound friendship of his girlfriend Kath and ex-wife Sunshine

Cesar Montano (second from right) and Sunshine Cruz (third from left) with members of their “blended” family.

BFF Buboy (Cesar Montano) is family to me, so his happiness is mine as well. I am overjoyed that all is well in BFF’s world now. Since we’ve been best friends for over a decade (and counting), I am privy to his colorful love life.

When Sunshine Cruz and Buboy parted ways, our “bro” Alvin Anson and I were with him every heartache of the way. I remember BFF singing his blues away at his former resto Bellissimo during our “Thursday Club” bonding sessions.

Buboy’s “healing anthem” back then was James Taylor’s “Shower the People.” The beautiful lyrics summed it all up for him. Bull’s-eye to BFF’s achy-breaky heart when the Sunshine Cruz chapter of his life ended. Part of the lyrics goes, “Better to shower the people you love with love/ Yes and show them the way that you feel/ I know things are gonna be just fine/ If you only will, what I like to do to you…?

True to the lyrics of Buboy’s fave song, things have finally turned out fine in his personal life because he didn’t let bitterness overpower love.

After making peace with his ex, Sunshine, Buboy’s girlfriend, Kath Angeles, and Shine have become newfound friends. It’s not just a shower of blessings for BFF, but an avalanche. Well-deserved, indeed. Because if you knew Buboy the way I do, you will see that he’s got a supersized heart. A heart that never gives up and always gives way.

Here’s my exclusive chat with BFF Buboy:

What’s your reaction to Shine’s post about letting go amid rumors that she and Macky Mathay have split up?

I am in no position to comment on that since it’s their story and not mine. But whatever Shine is going through, I wish her well. I want her to be happy because her happiness will rub off on our daughters.

How did you feel seeing Shine and Kath bond during your “blended family’s” Anilao trip?

If only I could have eavesdropped, because most likely, ako ang topic nila (laughs). Kidding aside, it happened in God’s perfect time, so everything feels right. There’s no awkwardness at all.

What’s your advice to ex-couples like you and Shine on how to restore the friendship after years of being at odds with each other?

Don’t force the situation. Leave it all to God to pave the way for reconciliation. Forgiveness comes easy when you let friendship prevail. As the holy scripture says, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good…”

Diego Loyzaga at his wildest

Franki Russell (left) and Diego Loyzaga

Diego Loyzaga and Franki Russell’s thwarted relationship has turned into a sort of “flirt-ationship.” It was so obvious during the Zoom media con of their movie, “Pabuya.”

Directed by Philip Giordano, it is now streaming on Vivamax. Diego portrays a gang leader, Pepe, who is chased by the police. Franki plays Bella, whom Pepe runs to after killing an undercover cop.

Because of their history, Pepe puts his trust in her. But their bond is shaken when the police issues a reward for his capture. Bella and Pepe’s story will make you wonder if the loved ones whom you count on will still be around if there is hardly any money left to count.

Here are quotes from Diego (D), Franki (F) and Philip (P):

D: I see myself in Franki when I was still starting. Since we both grew up abroad, we have to exert effort in delivering Tagalog lines. I served as her translator.

F: I have always been comfy with my body. If you have it, flaunt it. So even if it’s my first film, I had no qualms doing sexy scenes.

P: My peg for our film are Martin Scorsese’s works and some Hong Kong movies. It’s about the thin line between loyalty and betrayal when one is pushed to the edge.

D: Since it’s Franki’s baptism of fire, I guided her in our love scenes, I must say that our scenes are the wildest I’ve done so far. I had no inhibitions because I’m at ease with Franki.

F: I was mentally prepared when I got to the set. I just had to trust the process, Diego and Direk Philip. I’m more than ready for my next project.

P: The title of our movie is quite ironic. It’s about the reward of Pepe (Diego) for being a good boy and also the reward to catch him.

F: I’m used to being around goons with guys after my stint in “Ang Probinsiyano.” So doing my action scenes in our film was a breeze.

D: The time Franki and I unfollowed each other on Instagram was just part of “method acting” for our film. Para ma-feel talaga namin how it is to have no communication for some time, just like our characters, Pepe and Bella.

Sleeping with the enemy

Angeli Khang

One man’s crime will lead to dire consequences despite a woman’s sacrifices in the riveting film, “Girl Friday” (streaming on Vivamax). Directed by Joel Lamangan, it is topbilled by Angeli Khang, Jela Cuenca and Jay Manalo.

Angeli is Amor, who’s married to a philandering congressman (Jay) twice her age. She tolerates her husband’s infidelity so she can keep her status. When the politician’s worker is caught stealing cattle, he throws him into prison.

The worker’s wife, Carmela (Jela), begs Amor for his freedom. In exchange for this, she gives in to Amor’s condition to sleep with the congressman. But when Amor’s plan backfires, she has an evil scheme to get even with her husband.

Watch what happens when you sleep with the enemy. There are moments in every marriage when love is indeed war.

Here are quotes from Angeli (A) and Jela (J):

A: Doing my love scenes with Jela was easier than my sexy scenes with men. I am more comfy when it’s girl to girl. No groping because what she has, I have also. But whether it’s with a guy or girl, I’m all-out because I don’t want to do things half-heartedly.

J: Unlike the character I play, I won’t allow myself to be a battered wife. Love is not enough, so there must be respect, too. But once your husband beats you up, respect is gone.

A: In our movie, there’s a “threesome” love scene. But in real life, I won’t do that. I can add spark to my relationship on my own. No need for another girl to spice up my sex life.J: The tag line of our movie is “Babae ang nagpapaikot ng mundo.” But for me, both parties must work on their relationship. It can’t be one-sided. It must be equal partnership.

J: Angeli and I are like sisters, so after our love scene, we just laughed it off. It was so funny seeing how we smudged lipstick all over our faces. INQ