Loving & working together

While showbiz marriages are breaking like fragile china left and right, the union of Tonton Gutierrez and Glydel Mercado is going strong at three years and counting. They fight, all right. What married couple does not? But they can’t remember when and how they had a major tussle.

"We resolve it before we go to bed," says Glydel. Those who’ve seen her lately remark that she has never looked lovelier. Marriage and motherhood (to two-year-old Aneeza) become her. Tonton considers his wife and co-star in ABS-CBN’s Sana Maulit Muli (to premiere tomorrow night) as one of the best things to happen to him.

He heaps praises on her the way a lovestruck groom showers compliments on his bride.

"Maalaga siya (she’s caring)," he glances lovingly at Glydel who is seated – beaming – beside him. And he can’t ask for more.

At home, she whips up his favorite meal of yangchow rice. Glydel also busies herself by picking a recipe from her favorite cookbook and coming up with mouthwatering dishes, one of them her other specialty, barbecue spareribs.

Glydel can’t see herself translating her role as the mean wife (to Tonton) in their latest teleserye, to real life.

How can she – when Glydel is as serious as can be about her role as a homemaker? Even if she can always lie down and live a life of leisure, Glydel is never idle at home. She surprises Tonton with a new arrangement of their furniture now and then. She thinks of different ways to perk up the daily menu.

There’s never a dull moment for her when she’s there.

Four times a year, she and Tonton go to various places around the country as part of their devotion to the Blessed Mother. They crown images of the Virgin Mary on occasions like Her birthday on Sept. 8, the feast of the Immaculate Conception on Dec. 8 and others.

With them in the Marian crusade are others celebrities like Pampanga Gov. Mark Lapid and Eula Valdez.

These events, which Tonton and Glydel call "coronations," cement their marriage.

"God is at the center of our union," they chorus. And because of that, they believe little miracles happen which enable them to fulfill their duties as Marian devotees.

"For some strange reason, taping would suddenly pack up when we have a coronation to attend to," reveals Glydel. "Thus, we seldom miss these important events."

Aside from working together in Sana Maulit Muli, Tonton and Glydel also roll up their sleeves as owners of a Razor Cutters franchise along Arayat St., Cubao. Instead of photos of pretty models dolled up in various hairstyles, the couple’s beauty salon features a tarpaulin with the Gutierrez’s family picture at the entrance.

Tonton has rewarded the loyalty of his production assistant of 20 years – Garding dela Cruz – by appointing him operations manager of the parlor.

Needless to say, the couple’s showbiz friends, have gone to the beauty parlor. Glydel has convinced the Sexbomb Girls and other co-stars of the defunct Daisy Siete, to try the parlor for themselves.

And since all work and no play makes the marriage a dull one, Tonton and Glydel pick up their badminton rackets, golf clubs and volleyball to relax and keep fit.

They also mix business with pleasure when bringing Aneeza with them to Tagaytay, where taping of Sana Maulit Muli is held. Their little girl stays with her parents’ friend at Tagaytay Highlands while Tonton and Glydel tape their episodes.

Aneeza may be their only child. But Tonton and Glydel don’t spoil her rotten.

"When she falls, we don’t pick her up. She has to rise by herself," Glydel says. This way, she learns to be independent early in life.

Now that Aneeza is dropping hints about wanting a baby brother or sister, Tonton and Glydel won’t mind having another child. But like all God-fearing couples, they let Someone up there decide for them.

After all, as Tonton and Glydel themselves declare, that’s the best, and only way to go.