The year 2020 was a “test of resilience,” said actor-politician Lani Revilla and husband, Senator Ramon “Bong” Revilla, Jr.
At a recent interview, the couple talked about their personal and professional trials, such as health scares and the loss of their patriarch, Sen. Ramon Revilla, Sr.
“2020 was a test of resilience for all of us. We had our trials. Nagka COVID si Sen. Bong, nawala ang aming mahal na ama, si Ramon Revilla Sr. Even in our family, my daughter who lives in Davao and her family also experienced COVID, buong household,” said Mayor Lani.
Sen. Bong was teary eyed as he opened up about missing his father everyday. Sen. Ramon Revilla, Sr. passed away at 93 years old on June 26, 2020. “Si Daddy ko, palagi akong dumadalaw sa kanya. Ni-li-live ko yan. In fact, kaya lumakas ang Facebook page ko because of him. Kasi ni-li-live ko siya palagi. Kinakausap ko siya. ‘Yung time ko, especially bago mag COVID twice a week ako dumadalaw s kanya. I’m very close to my father. Sa kanya ako humuhugot ng lakas ng loob,” related Revilla Jr. “Pag gising, siya napapanaginipan ko palagi. Nasa isip ko siya palagi.”
He also admitted to being emotional about the Christmas engagement of their daughter Gianna to boyfriend of nine years, Jed Patricio.
“Baby ko ‘yun, iyak ang tatay. Syempre emotional ako,” he confessed. “Sabi ko, sigurado ka ba? Pero wala tayong magagawa kapag tumibok na ang puso. Susunod na lang ako, tatay ako e. Kung saan sya maligaya, suportahan ko siya.”
“Ang nanay ang laging tanong, kaya mo na ba?” related Mayor Lani. “Kasi it takes two to tango. Iba ang responsibilidad pag single, iba pag may asawa ka na. Ang tanong lagi handa ka na ba sa responsibilidad ng may asawa kasi sa simula masaya yan. Plan ka ng wedding mo, may honeymoon. Pero when problems come in ….”
“Speaking from experience,” veteran talent manager Lolit Solis butted in.
Mayor Lani said the couple have decided to have a toned down outdoor wedding because of the pandemic.
“They’re both looking at the weather. Tinitingnan rin nila, beach or cliff. They’re taking advice from Jolo [Revilla, Gianna’s elder brother]. Simple wedding lang. Dito lang, mahirap bumiyahe. Actually Tagaytay lang, ok na. Small wedding lang, dahil may COVID-19,” said Mayor Lani.
The couple have teamed up in the online game show, “Kap’s Amazing Gadget Giveaway.” Sen. Bong is so effective as host that he is being teased as a contender to the throne of “Wowowin’s” Willie Revillame. He demurred though, saying that he is just focused on giving happiness to the audiences, nevermind bashers who continue to hound him.
“Basta ako, kahit ano sabihin nila. magsasayaw man ako dyan, mapaligaya ko tao, masaya na ako nun. Hindi ko naman kailangan gawin ‘yun. I don’t care. Good vibes lang tayo. Ang importante, mapasaya natin ang mga tao, makatulong tayo ng kaunti. Alam naman natin hindi natin mabibigyan lahat ‘yan pero ‘yung maabot natin, mapaliligaya natin,” he said.
He is thankful to GMA for paving his return to the small screen via the action-fantasy series “Agimat ng Aguila” under director Rico Gutierrez. Revilla is proud of the story, cast and production and said it was shot as a film and can even be re-edited to be shown as a possible entry to the next Metro Manila Film Festival.
Senator Bong was open to a possible collaboration with Star Cinema, and even expressed his support for ABS-CBN, the mother company of Star Cinema, to have a franchise.
“From the very beginning, kahit may sama ako sa kanila, supportive ako sa ABS-CBN franchise. Hanggang ngayon yun pa rin ang stand ko. I will support the renewal of the ABS-CBN franchise. Ilang buwan na ring walang trabaho mga kababayan natin, tsaka kung meron mang nasagasaan, nag suffer na rin sila. Ang importante ngayon matulungan natin, mabigyan sila ng trabaho,” said Sen. Bong.
