Ate Vi for Congressman

If ever she decided to run in 2016, Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos told Funfare in a phone interview yesterday that she would seek for a congressional seat and not for vice president as persistent reports have been mentioning her as on the short list of administration bet Mar Roxas’ running-mate.

“But I still have to finalize it,” explained the national “Ate (Vi)” who admitted that so far, she has not received any formal invitation from Mar to be his running-mate. Not that she’s eagerly waiting for it. Mar has been vocal about Sen. Grace Poe being his No. 1 choice, saying that he’s ready to wait for Grace’s decision “sa tamang panahon,” which is also what Grace has been telling the media what her 2016 plan is.

“Puro parinig,” said Vi, “puro sa dyaryo ko lang nababasa. But, as I’ve been saying, nothing can change my mind. If ever I run for a higher position, mas gusto ko for congressman. Gusto ko regional position. I’m not ready for a national position.”

During the interview, Vi was on the set of her latest (untitled just yet) Star Cinema movie with Angel Locsin (girlfriend of Vi’s son Luis) and Xian Lim, directed by Bb. Joyce Bernal. She plays a rich businesswoman, “Parang role ni Meryl Streep sa The Devil Wears Prada,” with Xian as her son and Angel as her harassed personal assistant.

Asked how Xian was in the scenes they have shot, Vi said she was impressed with Xian who finished their scenes in one take.

“Hindi siya pinababayaan ni direk Joyce,” shared Vi. “I think Xian is very shy, sobrang mahiyain, that’s why people mistake him for suplado. Nahihiya siya mag-open up kapag hindi siya kinakausap. I told him that it shouldn’t be that way in showbiz. He should come out of his shell.”

Because she has more than enough time until the 2016 campaign…that is, if she does run…Vi is her own sweet time, not hurrying up the shoot.

“Wala pa ngang title, eh. When they send us the call slip, ang nakalagay lang doon ‘Vilma-Angel-Xian movie.’ So I told Malou (Santos, Star Cinema supervising producer) na huwag madaliin ang playdate kaya smooth ang shooting namin.”

Now on her third and last term as Batangas governor, Vi has ample time to decide whether to file her Certificate Of Candidacy (COC) for congressman.

“If not,” she revealed her option, “I may wait for the next election and run for governor again. Bawal kasi tumakbo uli (for a fourth term).” Husband Ralph Recto is on his third and last term as senator.

Is her son Luis running (for Lipa City Mayor, a position Vi held for three terms)?

“I don’t think he will,” insisted Vi. “I don’t think he should go into politics unprepared. Dapat paghandaan. That’s just my opinion. The final decision will come from him.”

* * *

Will Regal Matriarch Mother Lily run in 2016?

“I am also 76,” said Regal Matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde, “like Da King. I am a day older than him, though.”

Da King’s birthday is Aug. 20 and Mother Lily’s is Aug. 19 which she celebrated Wednesday night at her own events place on Valencia St., Quezon City, with a mixed well-wishers from showbiz and politics, led by administration presidential bet Mar Roxas and his wife Korina Sanchez.

“It was a surprise,” said Mother Lily. “I didn’t know that Mar was coming.”

Aside from (among others from politics) Quezon City Mayor Herbert Bautista and Laguna Congressman Dan Fernandez, other guests included directors who have worked with Regal Films, including Joel Lamangan, Manny Castañeda, Gil Portes, Mel Chionglo, Joey Romero, Joey Reyes, Jun Lana, Leo Martinez, Perci Intalan, Erik Matti and Maryo J. delos Reyes. Also present were members of the new batch of Regal Babies, other stars and movie writers.

With her political connections, will Mother Lily be convinced to run in 2016?

“Matagal nang may offers, for senator or whatever,” confessed Mother Lily, “but I’m not interested. I’m not into politics.”

Any birthday wish still?

“None,” said Mother Lily. “I am in a happy place now. I wake up in the morning looking at the positive side of life.”

Shown during the affair were trailers of the four Regal films set for release this year: Resureksiyon, starring Paulo Avelino, Jasmine Curtis-Smith and Isabelle Daza; No Boyfriend Since Birth (NBSB), with Carla Abellana and Tom Rodriguez; Pre-Nup, with Sam Milby and Jennylyn Mercado; and The Haunted Mansion, with Janella Salvador, Marlo Mortel and Jerome Ponce.

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