Jomari: I’ve met my match in Pops

Curtain-raisers:

• The already multi-awarded indie film Kubrador has just won the NETPAC Jury Award at the just-concluded Brisbane International Film Festival. It’s the 10th award for Kubrador so far — and counting. Congratulations to Joji Alonso (producer), Jeffrey Jeturian (director) and Gina Pareño (lead star, photo).

• Meanwhile, Daven Productions’ Signos was rated B by the CEB (Cinema Evaluation Board). Written and directed by Aloy Adlawan, Signos stars Ricky Davao, Luis Alandy, Irma Adlawan, Nancy Castiglione, Chx Alcala and DM Sevilla. It’s opening in Metro theaters today.

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They are happy the way they are, so why rock the boat?

Like Martin Nievera and his beloved Katrina Ojeda, or Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez for that matter, Jomari Yllana said he and Pops Fernandez are not talking about marriage just yet and are simply, you know, going with the flow and enjoying every moment of their blissful togetherness.

He has survived a broken marriage and so has Pops. Both of their marriages have been annulled but even if they are legally free to do so, they don’t want to plunge into the (murky?) marital water in haste.

“All I can say is that I have met my match in Pops,” Jomari said in an exclusive interview with Funfare in Bocaue, Bulacan, during the opening of a Rapide outlet, highlighted by a motorcade around the town. (He said that Rapide is the No. 1 auto service center in the country; he’s a Rapide endorser.) “I’ve found somebody very, very special who’s super-easy to get along with. We enjoy reading the same books and watching the same movies. We both love to eat.”
Soon, Jomari will run his own Rapide outlet (probably along Timog Ave., Quezon City), a business that’s right along his alley because, as you know, he loves cars and car-racing. Rapide will be his second business. His first, a car shop in Las Piñas City specializing in body-repair and painting, has been doing well since he put it up in 1995.

“Pops is also business-minded,” said Jomari, “so I asked for her advice every now and then.” (Pops runs her own Pipay clothing/accessories line.)

At the time of this interview, Pops was on a US concert tour (still going on) but Jomari said that they are in constant touch.

“Thanks to modern technology which has made the world smaller. Isang pindot mo lang at nasa linya na ang gusto mong makausap even if she’s hundreds of miles away.”

Does Pops call or send text messages to “monitor” his movements, and vice-versa?

“There’s no reason for us to do that,” smiled Jomari. “We trust each other.”

Contrary to rumors that Robin and Ram, Pops’ sons by Martin, are annoyed because Jomari pops up at Pops’ Alabang home early in the morning, making them “escape” to their dad’s home nearby, Jomari claimed that he’s okay with the two.

“Robin and Ram are very good boys, brought up well by their parents. We get along very well.”

What about Pops’ mom Dulce Lukban, said to have initially frowned on Jomari and Pops’ romance?

“We are also okay; we also get along well.”

Despite what other people think, Jomari assured that he’s “also okay” with Andre, his nine-year-old son with ex-wife Aiko Melendez (now the wife of Martin Jickain by whom she has a year-old daughter, Marthena, featured in this issue on her recent birthday party).

“I’ve been spending more time with Andre. I’ve been talking to him more often. I make sure that I’m there when his school (Ateneo) needs my presence, such as during PTA meetings, programs and sport events.”

A karerista for seven years until he retired in 2002 when his former team, the Toyota Tim Toms pulled out of the race, Jomari sometimes lets Andre ride a cart.

“He was good. Nagulat ako. Quick to learn. I simply told him what to do with the brakes, etc., and then he was off and running, by himself, doing 10 laps.” Like father, like son.

Asked if he and Pops plan to have a baby (like Martin and Katrina did), Jomari shook his head.

“You know, I have this bond with Andre that I won’t have another child until he’s 18. Having a child is not planned; it just happens. And another child in a situation like mine may complicate things.”

So, as he said earlier, why rock the boat?

“If you’re happy with the way things are going,” said Jomari as he bade goodbye to lead the Rapide motorcade, “just enjoy the moment.”

What’s up?

• Many happy returns of the day to Leah Salterio who’s turning older but wiser today.

• A gay boxing tournament will be held tomorrow, Aug. 23, 4 p.m., at the Remote World Game Center (Roces Ave. corner Quezon Ave., Quezon City) using the latest craze in video games called Wii, an interactive game that makes you assume all the movements of sports like bowling and tennis and helps you exercise while having fun. Remote World is the first, and might be the only, Wii arcade in the country. (For inquiries, call 414-8777.)

• The Foundation for the Advancement of Food Science & Technology (FAFST) plans to conduct a seminar-workshop on Food Safety and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), specifically Hazards Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) at the Kabalikat Lounge, DENR Central Office, Visayas Ave., Quezon City, from Sept. 22 to 29. This is a requirement for those intending to venture into the food-manufacturing processing business. (For more information, call 920-6133, look for Lara; or telefax 374-3005 c/o Dr. Sonia de Leon.)

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