MANILA, Philippines - Perhaps love is truly lovelier the second time around. Take the case of Rosanna Roces (or Osang) who is ready to exchange I do’s with her lawyer-boyfriend as soon as the court hands down its decision in her petition to declare her marriage to Tito Molina null and void.
“It’s a bigamous marriage. Kasal s’ya (Tito) sa iba so it’s null and void. Declaration na lang ang kailangan,” Rosanna says during the presscon for this year’s Cinema One Originals’ Digital Film Festival where she stars in one of the five digital film finalists titled Wanted: Border.
Osang feels it’s about time she found a new love after her separation from Tito five years ago. Besides, she need not worry about her children as Grace and Onyok are mature enough to stand on their own two feet.
But Rosanna is mum on the identity of her single, 40-year-old beau. She merely says his initials are R.B. He works for the government and is a native of Malolos, Bulacan. The two met through a common friend who had set a blind date for them in July last year.
“We didn’t meet on our first date because I had a shooting so it had been reset and we instantly clicked,” she offers.
The relationship, she adds, has taken out the “bad girl” in her and turned her as meek as a lamb whenever her boyfriend raises a point. Thus, her son Onyok often teases her that she has become “tameme.”
“He made me want to be a better woman. He’s a Christian. It’s not about religion pero s’yempre dapat ka-lengguahe mo. He has already met my pastor brother and my mom,” Osang shares. “At least ngayon may magtatanggol na sa amin.”
What does she love most about lawyer R.B.?
“He loves his mother so much. ‘Yun kasi ang basehan ko sa pagpili ng lalaki ‘pag mahal na mahal nito ang nanay n’ya mamahalin din ako ng todo at maiintindihan nya din ang pagka-nanay ko,” she replies.
Hopefully, the court grants its decision before her birthday in May next year. It excites her to start a family anew even if her children frown on her having another baby.
“I’m planning to sell the house. S’yempre dun kami nagsama ni Tito. He (lawyer) wouldn’t like that, bibili s’ya ng iba,” Osang states.
In Wanted: Border, Osang as Mama Selang doesn’t mind staying in an old house, warmly welcoming boarders who instead of finding a peaceful and restful place, often encounter strange happenings during the night.
Directed by Ray Gibraltar, the horror-drama will be shown at the Gateway Mall Cinema from Nov. 13 to 17. Other entries include Maximus and Minimus, Paano Ko Sasabihin, Bala-Bala and Si Baning, Si Maymay at Ang Asong Si Bobo. The digital filmfest is part of Cinema One’s celebration in its 15th year in local cinema. Selected films of Danny Zialcita and Brillante Mendoza will also be shown. Awards night will be held on Nov. 15 at ABS-CBN’s Dolphy Theater.