Don’t expect a proposal anytime soon from Manila mayoralty candidate Sam Verzosa to girlfriend, actress Rhian Ramos.
Not because it’s not in the cards, though.
Sam is clearly smitten with Rhian. The couple has been together for four years, and during that time, he’s found someone who’s not just physically stunning but also someone whose soul and intellect he deeply admires.
“She’s really intelligent,” Sam said, adding that he often consults her on important matters and values her input.
“Every decision I make — I ask her. Not just when it comes to promoting Manila, but also my decisions for the people,” Sam said during the Pandesal Forum at Kamuning Bakery on Monday.
It was actually Rhian who came up with the idea for the “SioMaynila” cart business, which Sam has since provided to over 500 Manileños.
“Alam niyo ba ‘yung pinamimigay kong kabuhayan showcase na food cart? Siya ang unang naka-isip ng pangalan na ‘yun. Napakagaling at napakatalino niya,” Sam recounted. “Sabi ko nga, sa dami ng binigay kong negosyo, ‘yung siomai cart talaga ang pinaka-umaasenso. ‘Yun na lang ang ibibigay ko—hindi siya mahirap gawin, hindi ka mamamalengke, hindi ka masyadong magluluto, hindi mo kailangang maging magaling magluto. Kahit maliit ang puhunan, malaki ang kita.”
Still, a proposal won’t be coming this campaign season. Sam made it clear that she supports him in his run, but he doesn’t want to use her to gain media mileage.
“I promised her I won’t use her for publicity,” he said.
He described Rhian not just as his ideal girl, but his dream woman.
“Lagi kong sinasabi ‘yan sa kanya, hindi lang sa kagandahan o sa pisikal [ko sya hinahangaan]. Pinagmamayabang ko palagi — sobrang talino ni Rhian. Sobrang talino at busilak ang puso. Sa kanya nga ako humihingi ng advice.”
When they first met, they discovered they shared the same dream to build a sustainable village complete with residential homes, hospitals, livelihood and educational centers.
“Ngayon lang ako nakakita ng taong pareho kami ng pangarap sa pagtanda. Nakakatuwa na itong pangarap na sustainable village… sa Maynila namin ito gagawin, pag nabigyan tayo ng pagkakataon,” he said.
