Sheila Ysrael: Judge me not

At long last, Sheila Ysrael showed up yesterday on S-Files to air her side on the continuing real-life teleserye which is the break-up of her seven-year marriage to Dan Fernandez who has been all over national television accusing his estranged wife of infidelity.

In an exclusive interview with Funfare last Saturday, Dan came armed with a bagful of evidence consisting of transcriptions of more than 3,000 love and "horny" text messages allegedly exchanged between Sheila and her suspected "lover" (a twentysomething guy also from Sta. Cruz, Laguna, where the un-couple and their three children – aged 7, 5, and 2 – live) and love letters, plus photos of the suspected lover who once worked as a care-giver in London. Sheila and the guy reportedly met at the Rafter’s Bar (in Sta. Cruz) which is co-owned by the Fernandezes and managed by Sheila.

Looking harassed, her face crumpled in tears, Sheila denied knowing the suspected "lover" and the transcribed text messages, begging host Joey Marquez not to make her comment further on the "evidence" because, Sheila said, a case is now pending in court which should be the proper venue to air her and Dan’s complaints and grievances.

"Had Dan agreed to talk to me," said Sheila, wiping her nose with a tissue, "we could have discussed the matter between us and not in the media with the whole world listening. But he never gave me a chance to explain. He chose to believe the rumors."

In the next breath, perplexed that their domestic dispute has degenerated into an ugly national issue, Sheila said it seemed that, despite the years they have spent together "(parang) hindi niya ako kilala, at hindi ko siya kilala."

Asked by Joey if it’s true that, according to Dan, he hurt her only once (and that was on the night of Sept. 21 when Dan said he confirmed that Sheila was exchanging love and "horny" text messages with the suspected "lover"), Sheila said without directly admitting that Dan hurt her more than just once. "It took my mom three days to fetch me at home" (after their confrontation scene).

Sheila said that, 1) she decided to keep quiet to protect their children, 2) she didn’t want to report the incident to the Barangay Center to protect the family, and 3) she didn’t inform her mother and siblings about the family feud that erupted on Sept. 21 because she felt that it was a matter to be settled between her and Dan.

Pleading to Dan to stop talking to the media, Sheila said that it’s okay for Dan to file a petition for annulment of their marriage solemnized (civil and in church) in 2001, the first time Dan ran (and won) for Vice Governor of Laguna (he lost his gubernatorial bid to Luningning Lazaro in 2004).

"Ibibigay ko sa’yo ‘yung annulment so you can marry somebody else," said Sheila, while at the same time asking the public not to judge her because, "hindi n’yo talaga ako kilala at hindi n’yo alam ang tunay na pangyayari."

But, please, she pleaded to Dan towards the end of the S-Files interview, "Give me back our children" (who are in Dan’s custody), adding that the children were used to not having a father but not used to having a mother ("Sanay na walang ama, pero hindi sanay na walang ina") because Dan, due to the demands of his job as public servant, was out of the house most of the time.

There you are. The public has heard what "he said" and what "she said."

In the final analysis, when everything simmers down and the warring partners are back to their senses, guess who will end up the poor victims – yes, the un-couple’s three children who, I’m sure (and you can ask any psychologist), have been emotionally damaged beyond repair.

Verdict on Nora’s drug case Jan. 19?

Beauty-contest impressario Ferdie Villar is back from San Francisco for his annual three-month vacation with a load of juicy items about Filipino stars based in California.

Ferdie reports that the verdict on the drug case against Nora Aunor might be handed down on Jan. 19 next year (after another hearing reportedly set anytime this month, according to Nora’s daughter Lotlot de Leon).

Asked if Nora would be found guilty or exonerated, Ferdie smiled. "It’s hard to tell. Let’s just wait for the court decision."

Also about Nora, Ferdie recalled that the Superstar did a concert called Alay ni Guy sa Merika last Oct. 22 at the Civic Auditorium in San Jose, California, where Nora made the 500-plus audience happy. She opened the show with a heart-felt rendition of People (Nora’s Tawag ng Tanghalan winning piece) and followed it up with such well-applauded numbers as This Is My Life, The Greatest Performance of My Life and standard favorites.

Performing as guests were Fe delos Reyes (who regaled the crowd with her comic antics) and Jun Polistico who did well-received "impersonations" of Frank Sinatra, Neil Diamond and Elvis Presley.

Oikos Game perfect gift for children

I had lunch with veteran radioman Bobby Ante a few days ago and he had good news for you and me (especially parents and ninongs/ninangs who are clueless what to give their inaanak this Christmas season).

Yes, Bobby is recommending (and yours truly, too, after Bobby explained the whole game to me) the new Oikos Game which was invented by Canada-based psychiatrist Michael Rayel (from Guinobatan, Albay).

Looking very much like the Game of the Generals, Oikos (pronounced eeh-kos), recommended for children five years old and above, is an exciting board game designed to enhance a child’s interpersonal and emotional skills (see, it’s entertainment and education rolled into one). It’s a tool for teaching kids assertiveness, communication, anger management and problem-solving strategies, spiced up with colorful illustrations.

Oikos Game (P1,898 per), which is better played by kids and their parents (and elder sblings), is available at National Bookstore outlets, Hobbs & Landes and Maxi Toylab. (For more information, call Bunky at 0919-345-1541, Nena at 656-1096 or Bobby himself at 0917-7943698.)

Incidentally, Bobby now hosts a daily program called Ante Mano sa Umaga (Monday through Friday, 7 to 9 a.m.) on DZAR 1026 AM, which dissects current events/issues, entertains listeners’ reactions and reports news as it happens (ante mano or no dilly-dallying, see?).

Call Bobby for Oikos Game and do tune in to his radio show.

Happy playing, happy listening!

(E-mail reactions at [email protected])