Why Boyet is running

He’s well-entrenched as the country’s foremost drama actor, in-demand both for movies and TV dramas (his latest having been the ABS-CBN soap Maging Sino Ka Man). So, many people wonder, why did Christopher "Boyet" de Leon have to stray away from his comfort zone and plunge into the murky (chaotic and uncertain) waters of Philippine politics?

"I have big dreams for Batangas," said Boyet who’s the Genuine Opposition (GO) bet for vice governor in that province (where Boyet’s perennial screen partner Vilma Santos is running for governor under the administration banner). "The province has vast potential as a tourist spot because of its beautiful beaches. It’s only two hours away from Manila. Batangas is environment-friendly, that’s why I’ve been buying lots in the towns of Mabini, Calatagan and Lobo where I’m now a resident."

Boyet was the latest actor-politician to be honored with a presscon by Regal Matriarch Mother Lily at her own Imperial Palace Suites (Timog-Morato Rotonda, Quezon City). Actually, it was a presscon like no other; it was more of a get-together. Boyet came with wife Sandy Andolong, along with their buddies (most of whom are co-members in the Oasis of Love Catholic Renewal Community) Lorna Tolentino, Isabel Rivas, Amy Austria, Tirso Cruz III and wife Lyn Ynchausti, Boyet’s sister Toni (a singer) and Eat, Bulaga! executive producer Malou Choa-Fagar (who helped organize the salu-salo).

The mood was easy and playful. Hosted by Tirso, the affair was capped by singing (mostly of retro songs), with Boyet himself kicking off the impromptu concert with a heartfelt rendition of The Way You Look Tonight.

Earlier, Tirso called the stars present and some movie writers to "sing" praises for Boyet. The most-applauded was the one delivered by Mario Bautista who strung together the titles of Boyet’s movies into a "master"-piece, so beautifully done that it prompted Boyet to remark, "I should use it as my speech during our miting de avance."

Want to "hear" it? Here it is (movie titles in bold italics):

Brother Boyet, Kakabakaba Ka Ba? (1980) Kamakalawa (1982) lang, si Brother Boyet ay isang Bituing Walang Ningning (1985) hanggang matuklasan siya ni Lino Brocka at Tinimbang Siya, Ngunit (Hindi) Kulang (1974). Later, siya ay naging si Tisoy (1977), si Julian Makabayan (1979), na bida sa mga romantikong pelikulang tulad ng Gusto Kita Mahal Ko Siya (1980), Masarap Masakit ang Umibig (1977), Bakit May Pag-ibig Pa (1979), Lagot Ka Pipikutin Kita (1976) at Beloved (1985).

Umibig siya kay Ate Guy sa Banaue (1985) at sila’y nagkaroon ng Relasyon (1982). Sa La Union, sila’y nagkaroon ng Kasal-Kasalan, Bahay-Bahayan (1979), pero Sapagkat Kami’y Tao Lamang (1978), hindi nagtagal iyon at agad naging Hello, Good Night, Goodbye (1975) at nauwi sa Broken Marriage (1983).

Nalaman nilang Walang Karugtong ang Nakaraan (1986) dahil na-meet naman ni Brother Boyet si Sister Sandy at tinanong niya ito ng Magkano ang Iyong Dangal (1988), hanggang sila ang maging tunay na Love Birds (1983) at magkaroon ng tunay na Kasal (1980).Pagkatapos ng 33 taon sa showbiz, ngayon ay nadama naman niya ang Haplos (1982) ng taga-Batangas, na Biktima (1990) ng maling politika, kaya Napagod Na ang Puso (1988) at nakiusap sa kanyang Pakawalan Mo Ako (1981). Siya ay nagtanong: Paano Ba ang Mangarap (1983) at maglingkod sa bayan? Siya nga ay Nangarap at Nagising (1977) at naisip niyang kung ang ka-love team niyang si Vilma Santos mula pa noong Tag-ulan sa Tag-araw (1975) hanggang Mano Po 3, My Love (2004), ay nakapaglingkod na sa Batangas, sinabi niya rito: Kung Kaya Mo Kaya Ko Rin (1978). Ngayon nga, sila ay Magkaribal na magkaiba ang partido.Si Brother Boyet ay naging isang Agila (1980), isang Kislap sa Dilim (1991) na Taga Sa Panahon (1980) at nangangakong gagamutin ang Sugat sa Ugat (1980) ng taga-Batangas. Sabi niya sa traditional politico roon: Bato-Bato sa Langit, Ang Tamaa’y Huwag Magalit (1975), Huwag Mong Salingin ang Sugat ng taga-Batangas. Hindi ako gaya mo na Palipat-Lipat, Papalit-Palit (1981). Kahit ang Mundo’y Magunaw (1975), Sa Aking mga Kamay (1994) ang Batangas ay magiging isang Paraisong Parisukat (1978). Kaya ikaw na trapo sa Batangas, Nakawin Mo Na ang Bawat Sandali (1978) dahil Topo-Topo Barega (1978), Ipagpatawad Mo (1991), pero Dinampot Ka Lang sa Putik (1992) at malapit nang Gumapang Ka sa Lusak (1990) at mag-Hide en Seek sa Quiapo, Cubao at Makati dahil Babangon Ako’t Dudurugin Kita (1989). Sa taga-Batangas naman, Sinasamba Kita (1981), kaya Maging Akin Ka Lamang (1987), Minsan Pa Nating Hahagkan ang Nakaraan (1983) na puno ng tagumpay para sa Batangas. Suportahan mo ako, dahil Kapag Puso’y Sinugatan (1985) at Kung Ako’y Iiwan Mo (1980), Kung Mahawi Man ang Ulap (1984), pipilitin ko pa ring Hindi Nahahati ang Langit (1985) sa Batangas at mapanatiling Ikaw ay Akin (1978) upang, years from now, masabi nating pare-pareho Ganito Kami Noon, Paano Kayo Ngayon (1976).

(Creative, isn’t it? To which I should add: At sa’yo, Ate Vi, ilang araw na lang tayo’y magiging Together Again!)

The family that campaigns together, stays together.

That’s what is happening to Sen. Bong Revilla and wife Lani Mercado who have been shaking hands all over the town of Malvar, Cavite, where Bong’s brother Strike is running for mayor.

To cover as much ground as they can, Bong and Lani go on separate sorties, sometimes tagging along their children Jolo, Bryan, Inah, Ludette, Gianna and Ram. Accompanying Bong is his good friend Phillip Salvador who fetches Bong mid-morning (Bong’s wake-up time is 11 a.m.) at the Revillas’ Ayala Alabang home. The family’s other home in Imus, Cavite, is where they entertain political leaders.

"Bong and I hardly see each other awake," said Lani. "He comes home tired from the campaign often at 2 or 3 a.m. By then, I’m already asleep."

But Lani makes sure that before she leaves home for her own sorties, she prepares the things that Bong needs during the day (clothes, etc.) and instructs the cook what the day’s menu is. The children usually go with her.

"We’re in this together," said Lani.

On May 28, Bong and Lani are celebrating their 21st wedding anniversary and they plan to go "somewhere" for a much-needed vacation.

Asked how their marriage has survived in the intrigue-laden showbiz, Lani said, "Faith in each other and faith in The One Above. Otherwise, if you’re not strong enough, the tsismis can really affect you. How do I deal with the tsismis? I let them in one ear and out in the other."

Would you believe that senatoriable Gringo Honasan, running as an "indie," is excited not as much about winning in the election as becoming a first-time grandfather?

He said so during a presscon called for him by â€â€Â who else? â€â€Â Regal Matriarch Mother Lily who claimed that, like Gringo, she’s also an "activist" at heart, citing as proof her production of the movie Sister Stella L. which is about a nun (played by Vilma Santos) involved in pro-labor rallies/protests, directed by Mike de Leon.

Barbie Almalbis, wife of Gringo’s son Martin, is due to deliver a baby girl (to be named Noah) in July.

"I can hardly wait to be a lolo," said Gringo.

How come his filmbio is taking time on the launching pad?

"I’m not interested in having my life story made into a movie," said Gringo. "I’m still alive; so many things can happen. If ever, I want the movie, or any book written about me, to be historically factual so that when my granddaughter grows and asks about what I have done in my life, I can tell her, ‘Watch the movie; read the book’."

Gringo didn’t say who he wants to portray him. (Years back, Phillip Salvador was tagged to be "the most likely" in a project that never was.)

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