Robin and Zia making beautiful music together

Zia Quizon

Here’s an exclusive: Cupid’s newest recruits in showbizlandia are Zia Quizon and Robin Nievera. They have been hanging out for quite some time. Before they knew it, their friendship evolved into love. Sometimes, the best relationships are the unplanned ones, such as theirs.

The cool couple’s shared passion for music and adventure makes them well-suited for each other. They ought to make an album and have a concert someday soon. Zia’s mom, Zsa Zsa Padilla, and Robin’s parents, Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez, must be delighted about the match.

Who knows? They might end up as “one happy musical family.” For now, however, Zia and Robin would rather keep their romance low-key so it won’t go off-key.

‘Flor de Inah’

The first time I met Inah de Belen, the charming daughter of John Estrada and Janice de Belen, at chef Luigi Muhlach’s event, I told her that she was star material. So I’m not surprised at all that GMA 7 has cast her as the lead star of the afternoon soap, “Oh, My Mama!” (weekdays after “Eat Bulaga”).

The drama series is the TV adaptation of Maricel Soriano’s 1981 movie about a teenager (Inah) who suddenly takes on the role of a mother to five street children while in search of her father. Quite a dramatic plot reminiscent of mom’s iconic series, “Flor de Luna,” many teardrops ago. This time, make way for “Flor de Inah.”

Here’s my chat with Inah:

What’s the most challenging thing about being a millennial? People think millennials are lazy and can’t live without gadgets. It motivates me to break that impression. I want to show that millennials are focused and driven.

Robin Nievera

How did your parents’ separation affect you? When I was younger, I couldn’t understand why they had to separate. Of course, it affected my relationship with my dad, because we didn’t live with him anymore. But as I got older, I began to understand and have accepted the fact that it was the best decision for them to make—because now, they’re both happy.

In what ways are you like, and different from, your mom? We both love reading and cooking. I took after her being a strong woman. My mom is more of a homebody, while I can’t stay put in one place.

What’s the best part about being the daughter of Janice and John? That I (hopefully) inherited their acting skills (laughs). Kidding aside, the best part is I get a lot of wisdom and knowledge from them.

…And the hardest part? The pressure of being expected to act as well as they do.

Why are you using De Belen, not Estrada, in your screen name? GMA 7 suggested that I use “de Belen,” because only my mom and Tita Gelli have that surname in the biz. If I use “Estrada,” people might assume I’m related to Joseph Estrada or the Ejercitos.

What’s something people don’t know about Janice and John? My mom has four tattoos. She loves K-pop and Korean dramas. My dad paints to relax. He has finished one painting and plans to do more.

Personal: Congratulations to Cat Ilacad, Tyla Guong and my Posh Nails family for their 30th branch (at SM Mall of Asia).