‘To be neutral or silent in times of injustice is itself an injustice. — Jennylyn Mercado’
SARAH Geronimo is the perfect portrait of a blissful and satisfied woman when interviewed online. When asked how she feels about being a housewife, her reply was: “Masarap po. Masaya.”
It’s obvious she’s contented being Mrs. Matteo Guidicelli and their happy married life compensates for the resistance of her controlling parents for her to get married. But she admitted it’s still a period of adjustment for her. “Nakakapanibago rin po at may mga adjustments na kailangang gawin kasi, siempre, may asawa na tayo,” she said.
But she surely knows her priorities and it’s no one else but her husband. Last Sunday, she was a picture of a very happy woman in “ASAP.” “Dahil may asawa na tayo, siempre siya po ang priority natin and, of course, ‘yung health natin and giving importance sa health ng mga tao sa paligid ko,” she proclaimed.
Starting their married life right in the midst of the corona pandemic gave her so many realizations. “Everyday you acknowledge na, lalong-lalo na sa nangyayari ngayon, that tomorrow is not promised.”
She added that we live in very trying times. “Aminin po natin na sa pandemic na meron tayo ngayon, sa nae-experience ng buong mundo, marami pong nawawalan ng trabaho. I’m happy rin na nang dumating itong health crisis na ito, I’m already with my husband who is a constant source of strength and inspiration for me sa ganitong mga panahon.”
**
Alden Richards is happy that GMA-7 has brought back the historical drama he did, “Ilustrado,” where he got to portray our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. You can watch it streaming on GMANetwork.com.
“Ilustrado” has 20 episodes and won best drama series in the PMPC and Catholic Mass Media Awards. Alden himself won best drama actor in the Star Awards for TV.
Supporting him in the show are Kylie Padilla as Leonor Rivera, Eula Valdez as his mom Teodora Alonzo, Solenn Heussaff as Nelly Bousted, Max Collins as Consuelo Ortiga, Jaclyn Jose as Conchita Monteverde, Glaiza de Castro as Gregoria de Jesus, Ricardo Cepeda as his father Francisco, Marco Alcaraz as his brother Paciano, Polo Ravales as Venchito Monteverde and many more.
“I’m really proud and honored that I was able to do this show and now, everyone can watch it streaming,” asid Alden. “It’s a painless way to learn history. Nagpapasalamat ako sa GMA sa pagbibigay nila ng halaga sa kasaysayan, kasi naniniwala ako sa kasabihang ‘Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makararating sa paroroonan.’ Dito sa GMA, we give importance to history at gusto naming ipakilala sa mga susunod na henerasyon ng mga manonood ang katapangan at kadakilaan ng ating mga bayani. Dito sa GMA, hindi lang tayo proud to be Kapuso kundi proud to be a Filipino rin.”
Other historical shows that GMA Network has uploaded for streaming are “Amaya” with Marian Rivera, “Indio” with Bong Revilla, “Katipunan” with Sid Lucero as Andres Bonifacio, and the docu-drama about martial law, “Alaala,” which won an award at the New York TV Festivals and also stars Alden Richards as activist writer Bonifacio Ilagan, supported by Gina Alajar, Bianca Umali and Rocco Nacino.
**
Jennylyn Mercado is gaining more fans for her gutsy stance over current issues of national relevance. Many people admire her for being very vocal about her concerns and in encouraging people to express themselves about the ineptitude and injustices that they are personally experiencing.
She sympathized with ABS-CBN and its employees who’d lose jobs because of the shutdown. She criticized government people who defied the rules and got away with it, like Sen. Koko Pimentel, the police chief who had “mananita” on his birthday, and Mocha who held a mass gathering without safety protocols.
She slammed Sen. Bato for telling ABS-CBN employees “Maghanap na lang kayo ng ibang trabaho.” She even made fun of spokesman Harry Roque who was seen sleeping during the SONA of his own boss.
Some folks bashed her and say they prefer the former Jennylyn who is meek and neutral. This was her reply: “But I am a Filipino and that alone is enough reason. To be neutral or silent in times of injustice is itself an injustice. If being ‘bashed’ is a small price to pay for practicing my right to freedom of speech, then I am fine with it.”
She added: “Huwag kayong maging manhid sa hirap na pinagdaraanan ng iba. I will pray for everyone to be enlightened and more compassionate, to always remember the values that make us human. Let’s all be kind to one another.”
***
Michael V. is on his way to full recovery while quarantined in their own home. This he shared in an interview on “24 Oras.” He is slowly recovering his sense of smell which he lost as one of the side effects of being infected by the coronavirus.
“Hindi pa 100 percent pero at least, bumabalik na ang pang-amoy ko. I can smell what is cooking sa aming kitchen pero kapag dinala na sa room ko, ‘di ko na maamoy,” he shared.
He told everyone to be very careful. “Hindi po joke ang nararanasan ng isang taong nai-infect ng Covid 19 kaya maging maingat at responsable tayong lahat. Walang pinipili ang virus kaya sundin po natin lahat ng protocols like wearing a face mask, social distancing, washing our hands constantly, for our own good. Also, avoid being stressed out. Kasi kapag stressed ka, bumababa ang resistance ng katawan mo at mas madali kang mai-infect ng virus. And once you feel the symptoms, magpa-test na kayo agad kasi importante ang early detection, para magamot din kayo agad at ma-quarantine nang hindi kayo makapanghawa pa sa ibang tao.”
After the completion of his quarantine and full recovery, he intends to donate his own blood plasma to help other patients. “Convalescent plasma infusion is important to help other patients and I think it’s a responsible thing to do. Makakatulong rin siguro ito sa research and science to find yung antidote or lunas sa sakit na ito.”
Michael V is looking forward to his complete recovery so he can go back to taping fresh new episodes for his two regular GMA shows, “Bubble Gang” and “Pepito Manaloto.”
