Jomari Yllana plans to tie the knot with Abby Viduya

MANILA, Philippines — She has a ring around her finger, although the marriage proposal was not made public. But erstwhile teenage sweethearts Jomari Yllana and Abby Viduya have seriously talked about tying the knot before Jomari ends his third and last term as Parañaque councilor in 2025.

The lovebirds reconnected through social media back in 2016 and rekindled their romance in 2019. Abby returned to Manila and uprooted from Canada, where she had been based for nearly two decades.

“I want to marry Abby before I end my term as councilor,” declared Jomari. “I don’t know where destiny will lead me in politics. This is my last term as councilor. We are both pacing ourselves when is the best time to tie the knot and where. But we both agreed to settle down. After all, we are not getting any younger.”

Now both 46, Jomari and Abby became sweethearts when they were merely 15 years old. However, their romance was short-lived, but they later proved that first love never dies.

Jomari has been very vocal about his feelings for Abby. He often posts on social media declaring his love for her. She admitted it still thrills her every morning when she wakes up next to Jomari.

“We are already three years together, but the thrill of being with him never disappears,” Abby said. “Spending the rest of my life with Jom is the best thing that has ever happened to me.”

When the big day happens, Abby will opt for a simple wedding with close friends and family. “Jom wants to see me walk down the aisle. That’s what he always tells me,” she said.

Their challenge is how to bring together their family and loved ones for their altar date. “Abby’s family is from Canada,” said Jomari. “From my family naman, some are in the US, in Dallas (Texas). Bicolano ako, Ilocana siya.

“We will have to decide on the best venue to hold our wedding. Will it be the Philippines, US or Canada? Ultimately, I want to see the moment when Abby will walk down the aisle. People who are both very close to us will see us walk down the aisle.”

It will be remembered that the actor-politician, whose full name is José María Garchitorena Yllana, rose to fame as one third of the 1990’s teen group Gwapings, together with Mark Anthony Fernandez, Eric Fructuoso and later, with Jao Mapa.

Former teenage sweethearts Jomari and Abby have seriously talked about tying the knot before the former ends his third and last term as Parañaque councilor in 2025.

This December, Jomari is set to stage an acting comeback, playing the part of a politician, in an Erik Matti series set for international release.

“As long as I can still memorize the dialogue in the script, I will accept film offers,” Jomari said. “I’m very excited. This is my first project with director Erik Matti and Dondon Monteverde as my producer.”

Meanwhile, Abby supports Jomari’s return to the racing circuit after more than a decade. He will join the two-day event, the Paeng Nodalo Memorial Rally, slated on Nov. 5 and 6 at the Subic Bay Freeport.

The race pays tribute to Paeng Nodalo, one of the country’s pillars of motorsports, who was behind the legendary Mabuhay Rally. There are 24 racers who will participate in 10 stages of the race.

“Medyo Rambo type,” Jomari informed. “We will go through different rough terrain and surfaces — mountains, gravel, tarmac, sand. Those are the roads in Subic Naval Magazine. In other continents, even snow.

“We call it rally stages. I’m competing in 10 stages. It will be my first time to join this rally event. Each one of us will be given an allotted time to perform. We don’t go out altogether.”

Jomari’s eldest son, Andre, who is now 24, has similarly shown interest in the sport. “Hilig din niya. But I tell him, racing isn’t just a hobby. You have to be a professional to make it work.”