Lovelier the second time around

It’s a love story aching to be told. And the right time to tell it is now.

The oft-repeated line from the popular song – you know, love is lovelier the second time around, which has become a cliché – aptly describes the lovebirds, Sherilyn Reyes and PBA player Chris Tan of Sta. Lucia, who had to break up with their respective partners when they found each other. Yes, it’s true, as another line from the same song puts it: Love is more comfortable the second time you fall. Not necessarily with the same partners, that is, contrary to what the song says.

Let’s start from the near end.

Several days ago, Sherilyn’s seven-year-plus marriage to Junjun Santiago (brother of Rowell and Randy and Raymart) was annulled, almost at the same time that Chris’ marriage to his non-showbiz wife was also declared null and void, paving the way for them to go on living happily ever after without any legal impediments.

It felt as if a big thorn was extracted from both their hearts.

"The burden was lifted from my shoulder," said Chris, a six-footer half-Chinese and half-Filipino whose stepfather, Norman Black, used to be the coach of the Sta. Lucia team. (Chris’ biological father is still around and he visits the old man regularly, even if Chris has stayed with Black since he was seven-years old.)

"It was just a formality," said Sherilyn. "Even before the court handed down its decision, Chris and I enjoyed a degree of ‘freedom.’ The other parties were kind and understanding enough to let us be. They realized that Chris and I loved each other and we’re happy with each other. We’re moving on and we hope that the other parties are doing the same, too."

Sherilyn has a four-year-old son by Junjun (said to have found a new love in the person of a new bold star) and Chris, a two-year-old daughter by his ex-wife. Their own child, Lawrence Christopher, was born eight months ago, an event only hinted at in blind items as was their "forbidden" romance which Sherilyn adamantly refused to talk about either in print or on national television.

The legal restraints have been lifted and Sherilyn felt free to talk, but only in this exclusive interview with The STAR. (For more details, tune in to The Buzz this afternoon, 4 to 5:30 on ABS-CBN.) Media-Shy Chris had to be cajoled into unloosing his tongue.

"I was in the middle of a game when I received the good news (about the annulment)," recalled Chris. "As usual, Shey was there, watching the games. It has been my habit to blow a kiss to somebody in the audience even during the game and everybody now knows that that kiss is for Shey. Anyway, during a time-out, Shey was trying to tell me something from afar, her hands between her mouth. I could ‘read’ what she was trying to say, ‘Congratulations!’ I knew what she meant."

Flashback to eight years ago...

"I developed a big crush on Shey sometime in 1995 when I first saw her on Sanlinggo nAPO Sila, the Sunday noontime show of ABS-CBN (where Sherilyn used to be under contract). I liked her eyes, her nose, her lips – her everything! I admired her even more when she moved to GMA and started appearing as co-host of Eat, Bulaga! and as a member of the cast of Bubble Gang (the gag show)."

In 1997, Sherilyn got married to Junjun while Chris settled down with his ex-wife not long after. But his admiration for Sherilyn hardly waned; it grew even stronger.

"When we first met face-to-face more than two years ago," said Sherilyn, "I thought he was mayabang and presko. I told myself, ‘Mukhang ri-rape-in ako pag makatingin.’ But when we started talking, I found out na mabait naman pala siya. Before long, na-develop na kaming dalawa."

By then, Sherilyn and Junjun’s marriage was hopelessly headed for the rocks, marked by frequent fights and fits of jealousy, mostly on his part. Chris’ own marriage was starting to crumble, too. They were being mentioned only in blind items, until the issue finally broke on national television. But still, Sherilyn kept mum on the matter, refusing to make any comment even when she – and Chris – filed petitions for the annulment of their respective marriages.

So what are their immediate plans... get married?

"Maybe next year," said Chris who never let go of Sherilyn’s hand throughout the interview.

"We’re busy setting up our home," said Sherilyn. "We’ve just moved to our new home."

They plan to put up a manukan business to keep Sherilyn busy. Chris said it’s okay if Sherilyn resumes her rudely-interrupted showbiz career (her first post-natal appearance was on the ABS-CBN sitcom Klasmeyts) but, according to Sherilyn, "I’d rather stay home in the meantime and enjoy being wife to Chris and mother to Lawrence Christopher."

Before, added Sherilyn, nobody and nothing could take her away from her corner.

"But after I met Chris," she smiled, "nag-iba ang outlook ko sa buhay. Chris is now my priority."

And there they are, two people very much in love, enjoying love the second time around, with both feet on the ground. And, yes, feeling more comfortable the second time they fall.

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