Jomari Yllana (right) with partner Abby Viduya
“Live in the moment. Deflect negativity.”
These were what actor Jomari Yllana said he has learned as he tried to survive the series of pandemic lockdowns since 2020, and while living with partner, former actress Abby Viduya.
“We learned a lot, especially when it came to deflecting negativity. We observed that negative things always happen to people who are negative thinkers because they attract what they think,” Jomari began. “Also, we realized that if you want to say anything, especially to the person you love, just go ahead and say it. Don’t waste time because you don’t know what’s going to happen to you tomorrow or the next day. Abby and I now make sure to express our feelings to each other.”
This was why during a recent media gathering that the couple organized, Jomari and Abby readily answered questions related to the actor’s plan to get married before his third and last term as Parañaque City councilor ends.
The two first became a couple when they were 15. They broke up and only managed to reconnect through social media in 2016. They got back together three years later.
“Of course, that’s how we all wish for any good relationship to end up,” said Abby when asked to react to Jomari’s announcement. “He is my first and last, so spending the rest of my life with him is going to be the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”
Abby, however, appeared not ready to give details of the wedding just yet. “All I can say is that I’ve always wanted a simple wedding … one that’s spent with family and friends. It’s Jom who said he wanted to see me walk down the aisle. Given the chance I would like that, too,” she said.
Simple wedding
The challenge, however, is in the logistics, said Jomari. “Abby’s family is from Canada, while mine is in the United States, particularly in Dallas (Texas). I’m a Bicolano, while she is Ilocano,” Jomari pointed out. “Ultimately, if I will marry the person I love, I want to do it in front of God. I want to see her walk down the aisle. We just have to decide whether to get married in Canada or the US.”
When asked what she thinks makes the two of them click, Abby said: “Admittedly, it was hard during the beginning of the pandemic. We were still adjusting to being with each other, but we survived because we respected each other’s quirks. We weren’t OK all the time. There were moments, too, when one of us would feel angry and frustrated with the other, but we already know how to handle those situations.”
Yllana (right) with son Andre
Appreciate simple things
Jom said he bonded with Abby through cooking and eating. “It’s true that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. She didn’t know I could cook, so I surprised her. We would cook for each other since then. The pandemic has also taught us to appreciate the simple things in life and the fact that we’re still alive and healthy today,” the actor said.
Jomari also announced that he will be returning to acting soon, via a film to be directed by Erik Matti. Filming will begin in December. However, he has not yet read the script and couldn’t tell reporters much about it. “I just know that I will be playing either as a politician or a manager,” he said.
“I’ve been involved in office work for six years now as a lawmaker, so I expect that this will be a big learning curve for me. I want to get back to my comfort zone, to act and race cars. It’s been more than 30 years since my last TV show. This role that was presented to me is actually very exciting, so I’m game! I first worked with Direk Erik when he was still the assistant director for our film ‘Diliryo.’ It will be exciting to work with him now that he is the director,” explained the 46-year-old.
“I’m not worried because I will be made to attend acting workshops and will be given enough time to prepare. I also don’t mind being kontrabida. I’ve played kontrabida roles in the past, both on TV and in the movies. I actually find it more challenging,” he pointed out.
Jomari recently “challenged” himself by returning to the race track. He joined a two-day event, the Paeng Nodalo Memorial Rally, at the Subic Bay Freeport. The race— a tribute to Nodalo, one of the pillars of motorsports in the Philippines—featured 10 stages with 24 racers.
“I’ve been into racing since 1996, but my last race was in 2018. It was my first time to join this particular rally event. Motorsport is very demanding. It’s like if I’d make a book on my life as a racer, this will be part of the later chapters,” said Jomari, whose eldest son, Andrei, is also into racing.
“I always remind him of road safety, and to not join street races. He is into drag racing, so I told him to participate only in events sanctioned by the government. He is now telling me that he wants to level up, and I promise to support him all the way,” declared Jomari.