Gary to Donita: I wish you happiness!

No, Gary Estrada isn’t invited to the wedding of his ex-girlfriend Donita Rose to Eric Villarama on June 9 in California – not that Gary expected to be (since he himself didn’t invite Donita to his own wedding to Bernadette Allyson three years ago).

"Why," laughed Gary when asked about it at the presscon for the new ABS-CBN soap Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas, "are exes supposed to invite each other to their respective weddings?"

Just the same, according to Gary, "I’m wishing her all the happiness in the world; I wish her well. I’m happy with my life now and I hope she’ll be happy with hers, too."

Had Gary succeeded in his suicide attempts during his stormy romance with Donita, a relationship frowned upon by Donita’s over-protective mother, he wouldn’t have seen better days in his life, such as the birth of his son Gabrielle, now one-year-old; his failed but "educational" entry into politics in 2001; and his participation in international sports competitions.

"Those were the days," smiled Gary, "my wild, wild, wild days."

Besides Gabrielle, his and Bernadette’s first born, Gary has an 11-year-old love son by Cheska Diaz, named Jason Joseph Francis Carlos Diaz Ejercito; and two adopted children, Gary Christopher, 7, and Gariella, 5.

"I’m proud to have married a beautiful and intelligent woman," said Gary. Bernadette graduated cum laude with a degree in B.S. Psychology from La Salle. "As I’ve said," Gary added jokingly, "she’s intelligent. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have chosen me as her husband."

Bernadette now co-anchors NBN Channel 4’s early-morning show, with Gary’s blessing.

"Sayang naman if she doesn’t make use of her degree," he said.

Bernadette and Gary met on the set of his movie Ikaw Naman ang Iiyak (with Dina Bonnevie who was then romantically linked to him). Bernadette was an "extra" in the movie. One thing led to another and before they knew it, they were in love. They got married in San Antonio, Quezon, where Gary ran for mayor in 2001. He lost, all right, but he hasn’t given up.

"I’m running again in 2004," said Gary, "never mind if I know that there can never be a clean election in this country. I want to make a difference, like my (half) brother E.R. (Ejercito) who has changed the town of Pagsanjan, Laguna, for the better since he became its mayor (also effective 2001). I’ve learned a lot from my first failed attempt. Now I know better. Ngayon, marunong na ako."

The couple goes home to San Antonio on weekends; it’s Gary’s mom, former actress Agnes Moran, who helps keep house for them and take care of their children.

Sana’y Wala Nang Wakas (topbilled by, among others, Kristine Hermosa, Jericho Rosales, Kaye Abad, Cherrie Pie Picache, Joel Torre and Marvin Agustin) is Gary’s first soap; he plays a Mama’s Boy, trapped between his love for his mother, played by Gloria Romero, and his love for Cherrie Pie.

He’s sporting a closely-cropped hair not for the soap but for the movie pinaysex.com he’s shooting for Tikoy Aguiluz, with a ravishing newcomer as his leading lady.

Besides the soap and the movie, what occupies Gary’s time is his preparation for the Baseball Federation of Asia’s championship slated in Japan this September. He works out regularly with the Philippine baseball team. He plays first base and right field. Current title holder is Korea.

Mabini the play

Funfare congratulates Danny Dolor (STAR columnist, art patron and chairman of the Tribung Pilipino Foundation) and company for their effort to mount Mabini: Utak ng Katipunan as one of the highlights of the whole-year-round commemoration of the death centennary of national hero Apolinario Mabini, in cooperation with the National Historical Institute. Mabini, by multiawarded playright Rene O. Villanueva, will have its first performance on May 15 at 5:30 p.m. in the Mabini Shrine at Malacanang Park, Pandacan.

The play, which essays the life and times of Apolinario Mabini, features a powerhouse cast led by Richard Quan as Apolinario Mabini; Dante Balboa who plays the multi-roles of Andres Bonifacio, Emillio Aguinaldo and Artemio Ricarte; and Ermie Concepcion as Dionisia Maraanan, mother of Mabini . Joy David alternates as Padre Valeriano Malabanan and Tasyo.

Directing the play is Juan F. Flavier Pablo who has handled various historical plays for Gantimpala Theater Foundation, including the long-running Kanser that toured various parts of the country.

Danny, who commissioned the play in 1994, has allowed the NHI to produce the play, and publish it in a slim volume that will also be launched on the first playdate at the Mabini Shrine. The volume, which includes a brief biography of the hero, will be distributed free to all public and private schools in the country.

The play, which had its national premiere in Batangas in 1995, will also be presented at the Baluarte Plano Luneta de Sta. Isabel in Intramuros on May 23 at 5 p.m., and at the San Sebastian Library of Arts in Lipa City, Batangas on July 18 at 5:30 p.m.

Said Danny, "Mabini is a story that may have taken place a long time ago, but the values that it espouses remain to be valid and relevant in these days as the youth of the country is in constant search for role models and leaders who would epitomize the patriotism and nobility of the heroes of yesteryear."

On the other hand, NHI Execuutive Director Ludevico Badoy, who also heads the inter-Agency Organizing Commttee for the Observance of the Death Centenary of Apolinario Mabini, says that he is "hoping for a large attendance during the first presentation of the play and launching of the slim volume containing the script and the hero’s brief biography."

Providing technical support to the production are Ed Murillo (stage manager), Jun Gomez (lights designer) and Bobi Veloso (production assistant).

All performances will be open to the public.

(Interested parties may call Ms. Gina Batuhan at the national Historical Institute at tel. no. 523-1019).

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