Italian hubby talks about his special bond with Eugene

Danilo Bottoni (left) and Eugene Domingo

Not too many people know that Eugene Domingo and I are kindred spirits. Even if we don’t see each other much, our Viber chats have made us form a special bond. Before Uge met her Italian hubby, film critic Danilo Bottoni, in 2013, she prodded me to try dating foreigners when I told her that I seem to have no luck with Pinoy men. But “Amiga”—that’s how we call each other—beat me to it.

For the first time, Danilo opens up about life with Uge. Mille grazie to him for granting me an exclusive interview.

Danilo and Uge are each other’s happy pill. They make marriage seem so easy. It’s couples like them who entice me to believe in marriage all over again.

Here’s my chat with Danilo:

Since you are a Muslim, are you requiring Uge to convert to Islam?

It’s perfectly fine for a Muslim like me to marry a Catholic like Eugene. But it’s forbidden for Muslims to force their wife to convert to Islam. So Uge does not have to change her religion. But of course I would like her to know how beautiful Islam is. It’s about peace and balance.

Anyway, we are both religious. That’s something we have in common, even if our religions are different.

Are you willing to direct Uge in a film?

As a film critic, I’m more of a writer. Though I would love to direct her, if only I had the competence to do so. She’s the most brilliant actress I’ve ever met. Maybe someday, I can write a screenplay that would be interesting enough for her.

If your love story would be made into a movie, what will the title be?

It will be a rom-com with this corny title (laughs), “Let Me Make You Feel My Love.” That’s because for a couple of years, we were in a long-distance relationship. So we had to create ways to express our love across the miles. Now that we are together, we still keep looking for new ways to keep the fire burning.

How do you feel about what Uge said in “Fast Talk with Boy Abunda” that she’s willing to give up her career for you?

It’s so sweet of her to say that, but I want her to carry on because I am a fan. I loved her first as an actress before I fell in love with her as a woman. But if it will make her happy to do that, then I’m OK with it.

Tell us a bit about your wedding. We got married in Italy in 2016 for religious purposes. As a Muslim, I cannot sleep with a woman unless we’re married. It was a simple wedding with two witnesses. Maybe we will soon get married legally here in Manila or Italy. It’s up to Eugene.

What makes you click?

We are cheerful and like to have fun. We enjoy kissing many times a day. She understands my jokes. We love waking up beside each other.

Beks Battalion

Beks Battalion spreads its wings

At the height of the pandemic in 2020, Chad Kinis, MC Muah and Lassy, collectively known as Beks Battalion (BB), spread good vibes through their vlogs to keep our minds off the COVID-19 virus that was spreading.

Now, they have spread their wings by making it to the silver screen in Viva Films’ “Beks Day of our Lives” (opens in cinemas on May 17). The “dramedy” is Chad’s directorial debut. They portray besties from different fields who have an annual “friendsary” celebration. When Reggie (Lassy) is diagnosed with leukemia, they go to Bicol to cheer themselves up by living it up. Onscreen and off, the trio loco are friends through thick, thin, sick and sin.

Here are quotes from Chad (C), Lassy (L) and MC:

C: Lassy and MC are underrated as actors. Because they are comedians, they tend to be stereotyped. But the audience will see a different side of them in our movie.

MC: When we started out as a group, we agreed that there should be no room for jealousy or rivalry. We will never get in the way of each other’s individual growth as an artist.

L: Our mentor Vice Ganda is proud that we now have our own movie. MC and I used to be just Vice’s sidekicks.

C: I’m thankful that Lassy and MC accepted me because they were already a duo before I came into the picture. Our group (BB) gave my life new purpose and direction.

MC: My advice to aspiring comedians is to stay humble when they start making it big, to be supportive to colleagues who need it and not to feel threatened by the success of others.

L: The craziest thing I did for love was to take my boyfriend and his workmates on an all-expenses paid trip to Boracay for team building—all 37 of them!

Glaiza de Castro

Glaiza in unusual afternoon soap

Witness a gripping tale of love and revenge via GMA 7’s afternoon series, “The Seed of Love” (Monday to Friday at 4:05 p.m.). Topbilled by Glaiza de Castro, Mike Tan, Valerie Concepcion and Boy2 Quizon.

It’s an unusual story that centers on in-vitro fertilization as a desperate measure to win an ex-lover back. Ahh, the crazy things that people do for l’amour!

Here’s my chat with Glaiza:

Are you open to the idea of in-vitro fertilization? It’s not a bad idea, especially if you can afford it. Personally, I want to experience giving birth naturally.

Since you are married to an Irish, what’s your advice to girls who are wary of having a foreigner as a boyfriend?

It really depends. I’m grateful that David embraced our culture. Regardless of nationality, if you’re both willing to adapt to your differences, things will work out.

What are you learning from your character in the drama series?

That I better brace myself if and when I have a kid because it’s tough to be a mom. I also learned from Eileen (my character) that even if family is our source of strength during trials, sometimes we can only rely on ourselves.