Ate Vi on being a granny; Vina on her new beau

Vilma Santos

Vilma Santos can hardly contain her excitement for the birth of her first grandchild. So, instead of joining their annual Christmas family vacation, Ate Vi is staying put in Manila to keep Luis Manzano and Jessy Mendiola company as they wait for the arrival of their little princess.

“We will fondly call her Peanut,” says Ate Vi. “I want her to call me Momsie, not Lola. Gusto ko siya lagyan ng earrings agad.” Then, I chided her, “How many karats?” She shot back chuckling, “Wala munang karats. Baby pa lang ‘yun. I would rather not spoil her, but pamper her.”

Ate Vi is the gift that Peanut will be born with. Congratulations in advance, Momsie Vi. Grandmotherhood never looked so good.

Vina’s love life reactivated

As I mentioned in last week’s column, my “sis” Vina Morales and I have this running joke that says, “Ang ganda naming, walang nakikinabang.”

But since Vina has reactivated her love life, she cheered me on by sending me this quote, “Lord, I am not rushing you for my soulmate. I’m just asking for the tracking number.” Then, I replied in jest, “Quota na si Cupid sa akin, sis. I want to poke Cupid with his own arrow so he will leave my heart alone.”

Vina Morales (right) with Andrew Kovalcin

So happy for Vina that she has found love anew with Andrew Kovalcin. Her heart has been in limbo for quite some time. Hopefully, it’s now en route to paradise.

Here’s my chat with Vina:

Please tell us about your new beau, Andrew.

I met Andrew 21 years ago in Hawaii during my concert tour. He’s from Washington, DC. He’s into advocacies and has his own Advanced Advocacy Company. Since then, we have been in touch.

But during the latter years, I’ve changed my phone number, so we only communicated when he would email me. Not until this year, when I checked my Instagram message requests, which I hardly do.

I don’t get private messages from those I don’t follow. Then, I saw his messages to me and answered him. He probably thought I wasn’t replying on purpose, but I really didn’t get his messages.

He asked if we could meet during this year’s tour, and I agreed to meet him in Miami after my concert there. There’s still a spark after 21 years, so I visited him in DC. Then, he visited me here in Manila.

What makes you and Andrew click?

We have a lot in common, and so far, I found out that our relationship does not need a lot of effort for us to please each other. It’s effortless. He treats me with love and respect. And that’s very important to me.

Does your daughter Ceana approve of your relationship with Andrew?

Ceana is very understanding. My happiness is what matters to her and my family. Andrew treats me and my family, especially Ceana, well, so it’s all good. I’m just going where God takes me. Sunod lang ako kay God this time. Huwag ko nang unahan at kontrahin (laughs).

5 Papis’ misadventures

It’s “Pinoy Big Brother” feels in the fun barkada film, “Call Me Papi” (now showing in cinemas).

Directed by Alvin Yapan, it stars Albie Casiňo, Royce Cabrera, Lharby Policarpio, Aaron Concepcion and Enzo Pineda.

From left: Royce Cabrera, Aaron Concepcion, Albie Casiño, Lharby Policarpio and Enzo Pineda

Join in the misadventures and shenanigans of the five roomie Papis as they try to stick together through thick, thin, sick and sin.

Here are quotes from Alvin (A), Albie (AC), Royce (R), Lharby (L), Aaron (AA) and Enzo (E):

A: It is our hope that our movie will remind the audience that amid the pandemic, walang iwanan. The five Papis represent different kinds of men as they navigate love, life and adulthood.

AC: I believe marriage can work for others, but not for me.

R: Just like most guys, when I was younger, it was normal to share sexcapades and minsan, may demo pa. But as we mature, wala nang “kiss and tell.”

L: For me, old school of thought na ang virginity. Virgin nga, kung sakit naman sa ulo na girlfriend, ‘di bale na lang. We must respect each other’s past.

AA: Our movie made me realize that it’s not the quantity of friends, but the quality of the friends that you have that matters. Kahit three lang ang friends mo, basta totoo sila, sapat na.

E: My girlfriend told me that I should not let myself be typecast doing sexy roles. I get her drift. But it’s not just sex for sex. The characters I’ve portrayed have depth.

AC: To court an ex-gf of a friend is a no-no for me. That’s out of respect for our friendship. Besides, there’s no shortage of girls out there.

E: People think marriage is a gateway to happiness. But based on my married friends’ stories, it’s not a fairy tale. If and when I get married, I will make sure it’s for keeps.

Azi a different type of Vivamax actress

The title of director Roman Perez Jr.’s latest film “Pamasahe” (now streaming on Vivamax) is a double entendre. Topbilled by Azi Acosta, Felix Roco, Julio Diaz and Mark Anthony Fernandez, it tells the story of a young mother from Negros who wants to look for her husband in Manila.

Though penniless, she manages to ride a ship with her baby. Naturally, nothing comes for free. To pay for her fare, she offers massage service (and more) to the men on board. She lets her body do the talking and the paying.

Azi Acosta

Here are quotes from Azi (A), Roman (R) and Mark (M):

A: I make sure that my acting will make its mark more than my sexiness. I have this gift of being able to easily empathize with the characters I portray.

R: Azi is a different prototype of a Vivamax actress. Mapa-drama or erotica, kaya n’ya. In her dramatic scenes, she reminds me of Judy Ann Santos. She also strikes me as a Japanese star in a horror film. May angles din where she looks like Joyce Jimenez or Alice Dixson. She’s fearless.

M: My rigorous workout has paid off. I’m confident with my body now, so I can flaunt it in my sexy scenes, unlike in my younger years, when I was bulimic. It’s good that I recovered from it.

R: Our film does not intend to scare probinsyanas from trying their luck in Manila. It serves as an eye-opener about the lack of opportunities in the province.

A: At first, I felt intimidated by Mark. But he told me to be “chill lang” so we could pull off our love scenes.

R: Our film has a very Asian look. It shows travel by sea and land within the Philippines. It centers on the hope for a better life in the so-called promised land for probinsyanos—Manila. Pwedeng ilaban sa international film fests ang theme. INQ