Nadech Kugimiya (left) and Louie Heredia —CONTRIBUTED photo
I welcomed 2024 with a bang in Bangkok (BKK) with my good friend since the ’80s, Louie Heredia. I cannot thank him enough for the super bonggang treat.
BKK is Louie’s second home, so he is a Thai at heart. I immensely enjoyed our dinner cruise on the Chao Phraya river. The Filipino entertainers on board, especially our friend, Venice Valdez, wowed us all.
Louie bumped into actor Nadech Kugimiya at the MBK mall. The Thai heartthrob starred in “The Con-Heartist,” “The Rising Sun Series,” “Sunset at Chaophraya,” “The Crown Princess” and many more.
According to Louie, Nadech has no airs at all. He had no bodyguards and gamely posed for selfies. Louie’s friend informed Nadech that Louie is also a celebrity. The Thai sensation and Pinoy OPM (Original Pilipino Music) icon shook hands and wished each other well.
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My heart still can’t stop smiling after my vacation in the Land of Smiles. BKK was more fun the fourth time around because of how Louie spoiled me more than I deserve.
Pops Fernandez —POPS FERNANDEZ INSTAGRAM
‘LolliPops’’ parenting advice to son Robin
I’m so touched when Pops Fernandez tells people that I’m her very first friend in show biz. Back then, she was still a shy girl. When Pipay (her nickname) celebrated her 40th anniversary in the biz recently, she told me that it’s also the anniversary of our friendship.
After four decades, the Concert Queen has not lost her charisma. Catch her in “Always Loved” on Feb. 9 and 10 at the Theatre at Solaire (call TicketWorld). She is all fired up by her new inspiration, her first grandson Phineas Atlas (baby of her son Robin and his better half Mian). As her new song goes, Pops will “keep it popping.” Nope, the Concert Queen ain’t stopping.
Here’s my chat with Pipay:
Do you still get jitters before a concert?
Oh yes, but I consider it an adrenaline shot to get me going.
What can your fans expect from your concert?Since it’s my 40th anniversary concert, it will be quite a musical journey. We will party like it’s the ’80s again, but with millennial and Gen Z feels as well.
How do you want your “apo” to call you?
Lolli para cute, as in LolliPops. I can’t wait to see, smell and carry Baby Finn.
What’s your parenting advice to Robin?
We haven’t discussed “parenting” yet, but I think Robin will be a good dad. He should learn from all of our good, as well as not so perfect ways. After all, there is no such thing as a perfect parent. But that’s how you learn.
He will have his own ways, but he’ll keep in mind all the good things Martin and I did while raising him and Ram. The most important is love and responsibility. Being a parent is a constant learning process, but I am confident Robin will do just fine.
Gladys Reyes (right) with husband Christopher Roxas in Amsterdam —GLADYS REYES/ INSTAGRAM
Gladys and Christopher’s ‘31 years of togetherness’
Gladys Reyes and her hubby, Christopher Roxas, are marking their 20th wedding anniversary with a glam rock-themed fête at Glass Garden on Jan. 27. It will also be a celebration of their son, Christophe’s 18th birthday.
Amid the breakups of show biz couples lately, Gladys and Christopher are proof that “living happy-ever-after” does not happen only in the movies.
Here’s my chat with Gladys:
What’s your advice to newly married couples on how to make their marriage last?
Faith is a big factor, as are tons of patience and partnership. Respect each other’s individuality.
We’ve had 11 years as boyfriend/girlfriend before we got married and 20 years of marriage—all in all, that’s 31 years of togetherness. It wasn’t easy. Separation should not and will never be an option, no matter how challenging things get, because that’s the reality. We have to do each other’s part and fill each other’s blanks.
After all these years, how do you both keep the fire burning?
Intimacy is very important Exert an effort to make every intimate moment exciting and something to look forward to.
How do you handle misunderstandings?
Over time, we have learned to “stop and go.” When he’s upset, he would say things to release his stress and I would just stop or keep quiet and listen to what he says and vice versa. After a while, we kiss and make up. We also have learned to choose the arguments that are worth our time.
How did both of you avoid fooling around, considering that there’s so much temptation in show biz?
Christopher used to get jealous of my time at work, but I assured him that family is still my priority. We still have crushes and are open about it, but we know our limitations.