The ‘best Christmas gift ever’ for the Revillas

Lani Mercado

Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr.’s plunder acquittal has elicited ambivalent reactions. But setting politics aside, I am featuring Bong’s ageless wife, Lani Mercado. She really stood by her man, no matter what. Bong’s fans have missed watching him on TV and the silver screen.

Hopefully, the actor in him will opt to resume his show biz career instead of running for senator again. Après tout, it was show biz that paved the way for Bong’s political career. So, why not go back to where he started?

Here’s my chat with Lani:

What was the first thing that Bong did when he got home? There were a lot of people waiting for Bong to come home, so it was a time for receiving all their heartwarming greetings. The household staff was quite emotional, and it was a marathon of hugs and kisses—and selfies!

Then, we took time to pray. The family was complete, except for Ram who’s in San Francisco for his studies. So, it was a great time to say a prayer of thanks to God, for granting us this best Christmas gift ever— Bong’s acquittal.

What are his immediate show biz plans?  No concrete plans yet, especially because of the elections next year. Bong has decided to return to the Senate, so there are a lot of invitations for him to travel all over the country to unveil the legislative plans that he had a lot of time to think about when he was in detention.

How was your first night together after a long time?  It was a happy but very long, exhausting day. Bong and I got to finally sleep together in our bed at home after four years, five months and 19 days. We slept way past midnight. We were both very tired, and it was a restful sleep, although quite short, because we had to wake up very early.

How has his incarceration changed Bong? He has become more concerned about the plight of our countrymen … and more deeply committed to his responsibilities to alleviate their plight. It has also made his relationship with God more clingy.

He has learned total surrender, and he now clings to God more tightly. The way he sees it, God allowed this greatest trial in his life to happen for reasons that continue to unfold as the future reveals them.

I believe Bong has now become more sensitive to the guidance of the Holy Spirit in his life, especially on how he may serve as an instrument to make the lives of our people better.

What’s your message to Bong’s detractors? May God bless them all.

What has that family trial taught you? Deeper faith. It has also allowed me to develop certain virtues I would not have had the chance to learn more deeply if this trial did not happen to our family—like patience, fortitude, forbearance, letting go… I also learned to have hope and joy. I learned that hope and joy are special graces from God, and we should never allow anything to steal them.

What’s your message to wives who want to give up on their husbands?  Always be reminded of your wedding vows: In sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, for better or for worse … Never let go of your husband. You can do that by never letting go of God in your life. Surrender your life to God, and He will do the rest.

Jodi Sta. Maria joins Rubby Sy-Coyiuto, Flawless’ CEO and founder, in leading the Pink Movement, which is about “uplifting people and helping them pursue all things beautiful.” It coincides with the seventh anniversary of the aesthetic clinic.