The then & the now

MANILA, Philippines - THEN: Catch a flashback of an evening of confidences written for a column on Jan. 5, 1989.

It was an interesting mix to start with. Babette Villaruel, Mama Monchang, Bong de Leon and Mar Cornes hugging a corner of that magnificent garden at Forbes Park. We have come a long way, baby, since that time we all enjoyed the highlights of Aling Maring’s merienda at El Oro. But the elegant domain in this conclave of the rich is owned by banker Danny Dolor, a friend of Ronald Constantino, whose birthday was the reason for that evening of fun. It also turned out to be an evening of confidential declaration.

June Torrejon, who has dropped Rufino from her name, was happy to note that her children will not have a half-brother or sister since Nena V. disclosed that during a religious confrontation, the real father came out in a confession while he was getting married to another one. If you find this had to follow, so do I. But the most incredible things happen in showbiz and this is one of those.

“It was an answer from above,” June said. “He knows how to take care of his children.”

The talk that night also centered on other separations, like that of Inday Badiday and Gene Palomo and as usual with such embellishment to make light of the situation.

“He brought everything out of the house,” one reporter insisted. “But he came back later for his electric toothbrush,” another gaily said.

Vilma Santos, looking as stunningly beautiful as you see her on TV, sat at our table. Which turned the talk now to Edu Manzano and current love Maricel Soriano. Details were again embellished, some outrageously so just for fun. Maricel is a great cook, someone said looking at Vi, now the butt of all jokes. “Perhaps he left because you never cooked for him!”

“But I don’t know how to cook!” Vilma laughed. But I learned some recipes from my mother-in-law.”

Our table decided to form the Edu-Vilma movement with Edu’s mom Mrs. Manzano as president and June as vice president. Vilma is their favorite but Vilma herself just flashed her Mona Lisa smile.

Danny Dolor’s home sits on top of a knoll this side of Forbes. It is one of those houses with an open façade, giving it a more welcoming atmosphere than the usual high walls. At our corner table, gossip was the main menu. June consulted her lawyer to sue a starlet saying nasty things in print about her when the starlet became close to Randy Rufino. Vilma was the only actress at our table of movie writers which included Bibsy Carballo, Romy Vitug, Ethel Ramos, Letty Celi, Nena V., Ricky Lo, Nestor Cuartero and Babette. “Oh Vi, don’t write about this, ha!”

NOW: March 26, 2010.

Vilma is happily married to Ralph Recto who is running for the Senate. She is the very popular governor of Batangas. Her son with Edu, Lucky Manzano, is now a popular actor and TV host. Edu, who has moved on to other loves after Maricel, has become a popular TV host. He is running for vice president of the Philippines under the administration party.

Babette Villaruel, Nena V., Mar Cornes and Mama Monchang are dead. June and Randy are now friends but still separated.