After 2 failed marriages, Snooky Serna developed phobia

Call time for the pocket interview was 3 p.m. on a Sunday and…surprise, surprise!...Snooky Serna showed up at 2:10.

“Actually,” said Jun Lalin who set the interviews, “I intentionally told Snooky that the schedule was 2 o’clock so if she arrived late, she would still be on time.”

Told about it, Snooky was simply amused.

“I have changed,” confessed the actress once jokingly called a pagong (turtle) because she moved oh-so-slow (or taking her own sweet time) that she was often late for shoot or appointments. “That was before, my past. I thank GM 7 for giving me a chance to set my life in order. Since five years ago when GMA signed me up for the soap My Faithful Husband, I have never been idle. Sunud-sunod na ang projects ko.”

The latest is Sahaya where she plays the mom of Benjamin Alves and for which Snooky is getting good reviews.

Since she grew up in the public eye when she started her career at age three (“The truth,” according to Snooky, “is that I was only two and a half years old. They just added a few months to my age to avoid any labor issues”), it’s sometimes hard to reconcile the reality that she’s now 52 and has survived two failed marriages, first to actor Ricardo Cepeda (now with model-actress Marina Benipayo) by whom Snooky has two grown-up daughters and the second to a band member.

She’s now in a relationship with former Bulacan Vice Gov. Mon Villarama.

Snooky Serna and former Bulacan Vice Gov. Mon Villarama, her boyfriend of four years.

“We have been friends for 28 years now,” clarified Snooky, “and we began being sweethearts only four years ago.”

Asked about the possibility of them living happily ever after in wedded bliss, Snooky said no.

“I think I have developed a phobia for marriage…after two failed marriages,” adding that she and Mon are not even living together. “He lives in his own home and I live with my daughters in my condo unit.”

Introduced by Lino Brocka in the 1970 family drama Wanted: Perfect Mother (obviously inspired by The Sound of Music), Snooky soon became a superstar (the female equivalent of Niño Muhlach who was touted as The Child Wonder), earning big bucks from movies that she did one after another. Unlike Niño’s earnings that his dad Alex Muhlach invested in real estate and in business (Supermelt Ensamayda, etc.), Snooky wasn’t wise handling money.

“I’ve learned my lesson. I used to just buy this and buy that. Magastos ako. But now, I know how to save, thanks to Mon who taught helped me how. Mahusay siya humawak ng pera. I can say that I am now in a good financial status…with my own money ha.”

She’s in a good place, thank you. She’s “civil” with Ricardo and, although “friendly” with Marina, she wouldn’t call her “a friend.”

Adding, “She takes good care of my children who love her to death. Ricardo naman takes our daughters out.” (In fact, Snooky’s daughters sometimes eat out with their dad, together with Marina and her own two sons by her ex-husband.)

With marriage not in her radar, Snooky said love has a lot to do with her life now.

“As I said, Mon has been a good influence to me. It sounds corny but he is happy being the wind beneath my wings.”

Glaiza de Castro ready to get married, but...

Glaiza de Castro during her contract-signing as Symply G ambassador with GMA Artist Center’s Simon Ferrer (left) and Symply G president Glenn Sy.

Unlike Snooky Serna, Glaiza de Castro admitted that she’s ready to get married to David Rainey, her Irish boyfriend. They started going steady in September last year.

“We’ve been in a long-distance relationship,” Glaiza told the movie press when she signed a contract as the new ambassador for Symply G Hair & Skin Care (after Diane Medina and Kyline Alcantara). “It’s hard because of the time difference…almost eight hours. He lives in Ireland.”

It was music that brought them together. Glaiza was vacationing in Siargao early last year when she heard somebody (who turned out to be David) playing a song that happened to be her favorite. In that instant, she and David developed a connection. Glaiza is also into music (she has released albums).

As ambassador for EB (Ever Bilena) Advance.

Glaiza has met David’s family in the UK and vice-versa.

“As of now, I am ready for whatever happens. But it’s better if we just enjoy muna our time together.”

Incidentally, Glaiza has just also been hired as ambassador for Ever Bilena (EB) Advance, chosen because of her fiery personality.

“She speaks her mind. She takes on very challenging roles. She’s for women’s rights. And with the brand being more vocal about this direction, we wanted someone who is an embodiment of that,” shares EB Advance brand manager Creole David.

With Irish boyfriend David Rainey. Photo from David Rainey’s Instagram

Glaiza admitted that her desire to stand out in the entertainment industry has earned both praise and criticism from the public.

“People sometimes misinterpret me, especially since I’m not good at masking my emotions. But I’ve been in this industry more than half of my life and I’ve learned to ignore criticisms that won’t help me grow as a person.”

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