“Maybe This Time” resonates with singer Louie Heredia and journalist Dyan Castillejo as they reconnect in Vietnam after many years apart.
THE song with the viral dance moves goes: “Two old friends, meet again, wearing older faces, talk about the places they’ve been. Two old sweethearts who fell apart, somewhere long ago, how are they to know? Someday they’d meet again and have a need for more than reminiscin’…”
The song, “Maybe This Time,” resonates as we recently spent time with longtime friends – singer Louie Heredia and sports and pageant journalist Dyan Castillejo – during a trip to Vietnam this weekend.
“I used to pick up Dyan from ‘The World Tonight’ in the old ABS-CBN studio, and we would go on late-night dates and jogging,” recalls Louie, who was then a fast-rising singer with the signature hit “Can’t Find No Reason.”
“Louie would drive me home, and my mom really loves him a lot!” acknowledged Dyan, who was a celebrated tennis player and a hot sports journalist.
Life happened, and they drifted apart. Dyan eventually married businessman Anton Garcia, and they have a son, Matthew (a tennis player like his mother), who is now a college student in New York. Louie, on the other hand, considers himself a retired singer who enjoys life, takes care of his cats, and supports various charities.
How has their friendship changed after nearly three decades apart?
“Oh, we’re more fun now. I can say we’re sweeter. We can comfortably talk about our past, and there will always be a lot of care and concern for each other,” said Louie.
“Also, with her, I can be myself, and we can talk about anything under the sun and even under the stars here in Saigon.
“The thing with Dyan and me is that we have the same wavelength. The key to good vibes is remembering all the things in the past – we really have a lot of good memories.”
Dyan added, “The good thing about Louie and me is that we are both settled, and we can tell each other anything. Anytime of the day, truth be told, he would be the only person who can call me beyond midnight, and my husband, Anton, wouldn’t mind. Why? Because Anton trusts him and is enamored by his thoughtfulness toward our family.
“Anton just loves the sampaloc (tamarind) that Louie sends us, and we visit him with my whole family at his Tagaytay home, where we have a great time bonding.”
As Louie turned 60 last July, he reflected on how he has grown, matured, laughed more, and become happier and more prayerful. He celebrated with several small gatherings and said that, aside from the 20% senior citizen discount, he has a newfound desire to travel more.
“Do everything you can while you still can. I have more appetite for travel because I’ve learned that traveling makes you feel younger. It gives you a different kind of happiness, education, and joy.”
This year alone, Louie has visited Vietnam twice and Hawaii. He also plans to travel with Dyan to Mexico for the 2024 Miss Universe Coronation Night and will make a stop in Los Angeles before returning to Manila. Despite his many travels, Bangkok, Thailand, remains Louie’s favorite destination. He has visited so many times that he decided to get a retirement condo and a retirement visa.
“While the Philippines will forever be my home, Bangkok is my safe refuge, and Dyan is always welcome there,” said Louie.
