Lito & Beng: ‘A lifetime of loving, caring & sharing’

Curtain-raisers:

• Is it true that an ABS-CBN star reporter (shaded photo) has actually resigned and is just finishing his existing show as a talent? What went wrong? Wasn’t the network able to give a “developmental plan” (as the Funfare DPA put it) to this star reporter who has achieved a celebrity status? Asked the DPA, “Were his immediate bosses too busy dealing with the senior anchors who have already gone stale and rusty?” The star reporter need not worry that he’d go jobless. Heard that other networks (one of them already has a ready show for him) and even international news organizations are interested in “grabbing” him, while some endorsements are waiting for his availability. Clue? Just look closely at the shaded photo.
• Is it true that a news reporter (from another network) was initially eyeing a pretty one-time-beauty-contestant but eventually ended up courting and winning the heart of a singer who moonlights as a TV host? What happened? Another Funfare DPA said, “Maybe the first girl gave him the cold-shoulder treatment but he realized that his second choice turned out to be the better choice.” He seems to have a fondness for TV hosts. According to the DPA, his former girlfriend was a TV host who is now based in an Asian country with her lover.
• Is it true that it took a (male) singer a few years before he could have a show in a city down south? Reason: The residents felt that their city-mate was shortchanged in a talent search which was allegedly rigged in favor of the male singer (who eventually badmouthed the discoverer who moved heaven and earth to make him a “winner”).

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A lifetime of loving, caring and sharing. 

That line printed on the invitation to the 50th wedding anniversary (renewal of vows) beautifully described the marriage of Congressman Lito Atienza (Party-List Buhay) and Beng Atienza who, along with their children and grandchildren, invited friends to the “golden” event solemnized at the Manila Cathedral and the dinner that followed at the Manila Hotel.

At a recent salu-salo with the movie press, Congressman Lito was asked not so much about the “forever” between him and Beng as his opinion about the decision of Pres. DU30 to finally bury the remains of former Pres. Ferdinand Marcos at the Libingan ng Mga Bayani (“I agree,” said Lito, “it’s about time,” although the Supreme Court recently issued a 20-day TRO against it) and to re-impose the death penalty (“I disagree,” said Lito who reminded the movie press that his Party-List is precisely named Buhay because it is pro-life).

Instead, I asked Kuya Kim, one of the couple’s children, for what he thought were the reasons why his parents’ marriage has lasted this long, starting during their days as Bayanihan dancers (“Dad also acted as the gong and drum player for Mom’s dance numbers”).

1. More than wife, Mom was Dad’s best friend and vice versa. They do everything together all the time 24/7.

2. They complement each other’s strengths. Dad is a tough fighter, especially in his politics; Mom has a gentle energy that softens Dad;

3. They are loyal to each other to death in all aspects of the marriage and friendship so there’s friendship; and

4. They laugh together and have a good sense of humor. 

And what lessons did he learn from his parents that he’s applying in his own marriage (wife Felicia Atienza with whom Kim has three children — Jose, Eliana and Emmanuelle)?

Kim: “I grew up very secure of myself because I knew that no matter what happened, Mom and Dad would be there TOGETHER for me. I never doubted this…there was never any instance when the kids saw any crack in the relationship and this made us very secure.

“The best gift I can give my kids Jose, Eliana and Emman is to love my wife Felicia with all my heart and soul the way my parents love each other. That’s the best lesson that I learned from Mom and Dad.”

The macho guapitos of the Oh, Boy! concert (at the Music Museum on Sept. 23, from left: Jake Vargas, Rocco Nacino, Derrick Monasterio and Aljur Abrenica

A show not for ‘singles’ only

“We are all single!” Aljur Abrenica greeted the movie press Sunday afternoon during the presscon for Oh, Boy!, a concert produced by Dreamstar Events (in cooperation with Bluewater Day Spa and GMA Corporate Communications) set for Sept. 23, 8 p.m. at the Music Museum.

Aljur’s co-stars Derrick Monasterio, Rocco Nacino and Jake Vargas nodded in agreement.

Asked by Ethel Ramos what song they were dedicating to their exes, Aljur again spoke for his group-mates, “We are too busy to think about it.”

But are they inviting their exes to watch the show (Aljur’s is Kylie Padilla, Derrick’s is Issa Pressman, Jake’s is Bea Binene and Rocco’s is Lovi Poe who, unlike Rocco, seems to have successfully moved on; Rocco said in jest that his ‘girlfriend’ is the Mustang that he drives around gleefully.)? 

Well, everybody is invited (as long as they buy tickets priced at P1,500; P2,000; and P2,500; from Ticketworld at 891-9999, and Ticketnet at 911-5555).

And what songs would they, if ever, dedicate to their exes?

• Derrick: Love Never Feels So Good

• Aljur: Thanks For Loving Me

• Jake: Paalam Na

• Rocco (who can’t seem to move on): “Hindi ko na iniisip; kinalimutan ko na.”

One writer commented that Oh, Boy! as the show’s title is much “too soft” for the four guys marketed as macho guapitos.

Why not Four-in-One Direction (because the guys are seriously planning to create a name as a band) or Four in Different Directions?

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. You may also send your questions at [email protected].)