Proud to be Charlene

Whether it’s high tide or low tide (remember her immortal answer to a Miss Universe question?), Charlene Gonzalez always puts her family first and foremost, that’s why she chooses projects that her husband, Aga Muhlach, and their twins Atasha and Andres will be proud of.

One such project is Q-11’s weekly show Proudly Filipina which will feature Charlene as the new host starting on Feb. 29, a Friday, replacing Daphne Oseña-Paez (wife of TV writer-reporter Patrick Paez) who begged off from the show to, according to her, devote more time to her family. It’s the second time Charlene is taking over a show; the first having been from Tessie Tomas for the ABS-CBN’s defunct Sunday mid-morning show At Home Ka Dito.

“For At Home,” said Charlene who doesn’t mind being a second choice, “I had the rare chance of visiting the homes of celebrities.

“Proudly Filipina features successful Filipinas from all walks of life, both here and abroad, and their inspiring stories, so I am glad for this chance to help inspire televiewers and encourage them to follow those successful Filipinas’ examples.”

For her “debut” episode, Charlene will zero in on Tito, Vic & Joey and the women in their lives: Helen Gamboa (Tito’s wife), Pia Guanio (Vic’s girlfriend), and Eileen Macapagal (Joey’s wife).

“Very interesting,” said Charlene who broke into a conscious laughter when Funfare jokingly asked her if her show isn’t doing a follow-up feature on, ehem, the women in Aga’s life.

On May 28, Charlene and Aga will mark their sixth wedding anniversary but they have no plans just yet whether to go on another “honeymoon” abroad (like they did two years ago) or simply stay home.

And how did they celebrate Valentine’s Day?

“Very quietly. With us, every day is Valentine’s Day.”

On weekends, the couple and their twins commune with nature at their farm in Batangas.

“We spend real quality time.”

An endorser of Taheebo (the tea drink), Charlene does her workout in Batangas. She still stands 5’9" like she did when she finished second runner-up (third placer) in the 1994 Miss Universe pageant and still maintains her Miss U figure, 36-24-36.

“Besides working out,” revealed Charlene, “I follow a strict diet. Nothing fatty or oily. I have a sweet tooth so I have a hard time resisting guilty pleasures like cakes and chocolates.”

Charlene’s move to Q-11, sister station of GMA 7, has automatically turned her from a Kapamilya to a Kapuso. But knowing Charlene, she won’t get caught in the never-ending network war.

“I’m not burning any bridge,” assured Charlene who informed ABS-CBN execs (Cory Vidanes and Charo Santos-Concio among them) before she said yes to the Q-11 offer. “You know, the industry is so small that we bump into the same people all the time...we work with the same people we have worked with.”

To usher in Charlene as host of Proudly Filipina, Funfare asked her the “three things she’s proud of about...,” to wit:

• Her mom, Elvie Gonzalez (one-time Miss Press Photography and herself a Bb. Pilipinas beauty like Charlene; Elvie was first runner-up to Louise Veil Aurelio in 1965):

1. Her being strict

2. Her being hard-working

3. Her being understanding

• Her husband Aga Muhlach:

1. His being loving, cariñoso and romantic

2. His being understanding; he’s the king of our home

3. His being loyal and faithful

• Her and Aga’s twins Atasha and Andres:

1. Their being smart

2. Their being bright

3. Their being obedient

• Being a Filipina:

1. Filipinas are good-natured, loving and cariñosa, noted for taking good care of their husbands that’s why even foreigners want to have Filipinas as wives

2. Filipinas are hard-working; our Filipina OFWs are the best proof

3. Filipinas are loving

• The Philippines:

1. We have beautiful scenic spots

2. We have rich natural resources

3. We are a blessed people; we are hospitable, generous and friendly

• And, finally, being Charlene Gonzalez:

1. As a mother, I am loving

2. As a wife, I am loving

3. As a daughter, I have a loving mom to whom I owe what I am now.

What’s up?

• Here’s Fr. Corsie Legaspi’s healing schedule for the rest of the month: Feb. 23, Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m., at the Coming Home Retreat and Meditation Center, Binakayan, Cavite; Feb. 26, Tuesday, 1 to 6 p.m., at the Sto. Domingo Parish Church, Mexicio, Pampanga; and Feb. 28, Thursday, 1 to 6 p.m., at the Sto Niño Parish Church, Bamban, Tarlac. (Note: For further inquiries, call 046-434-8759 or 046-878-0069, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.)

• Condolence to scriptwriter Jake Tordesillas on the death of his Tita Nena, Maria Lourdes Atienza, who died on Feb. 12. “She was the one who took care of me,” said Jake. Her remains lie at her house on 7-J Sagasa St., Iloilo City. Funeral will be on Saturday, Feb. 23, at the Tanza Cemetery after a 9 a.m. Mass.

• In celebration of the Heart Month, the Heart Foundation of the Philippines (HFP), in cooperation with the Philippine Heart Center and some pharmaceutical firms, will conduct a lay forum (lecture on the proper care of the heart and the prevention of heart disease) and a free clinic with free blood screening (e.g. for diabetes, lipid, CBC) for media personnel, on  Feb. 29, Friday, 7 a.m. to 12 noon, at the eighth floor of the Medical Arts Building, Philippine Heart Center, East Ave., Quezon City. Those interested may get in touch with Mildred Ortega-Templo (the event coordinator) at the HFP secretariat at 928-1414 or 925-2401, local 3225 or 3226.

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